252 DAVID LIVINGSTONE. [chap. xn. 



on this occasion that his followers, showing the blisters 

 on their feet burst by the hot rocks, told him, when he 

 urged them to make another effort, that hitherto they 

 had always believed he had a heart, but now they saw he 

 had none, and wondered if he were mad. Leaving them, 

 he and Dr. Kirk pushed on alone ; but their boots and 

 clothes were destroyed ; in three hours they made but a 

 mile. Next day, however, they gained their point and 

 saw the rapid. It was plain to Dr. Livingstone that had 

 he taken this route in 1856, instead of through the level 

 Shidina country, he must have perished. The party were 

 of opinion that when the river was in full flood, the rapids 

 might be navigated, and this opinion was confirmed on a 

 subsequent visit paid by Mr. Charles Livingstone and 

 Mr. Baines during the rainy season. But the "Ma-Robert" 

 with its single engine had not power to make way. It 

 was resolved to apply to Her Majesty's Government for a 

 more suitable vessel to carry them up the country, stores 

 and all. Until the answer should come to this applica- 

 tion, Dr. Livingstone could not return with his Makololo 

 to their own country. 



While making this application, he was preparing 

 another string for his bow. He wrote to his friend, Mr. 

 James Young, that if Government refused, he would get 

 a vessel at his own expense, and in a succession of letters 

 authorised him to spend £2000 of his own money in the 

 purchase of a suitable ship. Eventually, both suggestions 

 were carried into effect. The Government gave the 

 "Pioneer" for the navigation of the Zambesi and lower 

 Shire ; Livingstone procured the " Lady Nyassa" for the 

 Lake (where, however, she never floated), but the cost was 

 more than £6000 — the greater part, indeed, of the profits 

 of his book. 



The " Ma-Robert," which had promised so well at first, 

 now turned out a great disappointment. Her consump- 

 tion of fuel was enormous ; her furnace had to be lighted 



