1858-59-] FIRST EXPLORATIONS OF THE SHIRE. 253 



hours before the steam was serviceable ; she snorted so 

 horribly that they called her " The Asthmatic," and after 

 all she made so little progress that canoes could easily 

 pass her. Having taken much interest in the purchase 

 of the vessel, and thought he was getting a great bargain 

 because its owner professed to do so much through " love 

 of the cause," Livingstone was greatly mortified when 

 he found he had got an inferior and unworthy article ; 

 and many a joke he made, as well as remarks of a more 

 serious kind, in connection with the manner which the 

 " eminent sliipbuilder " had taken to show his love. 



Early in 1859 the exploration of the Shire was begun 

 —a river hitherto absolutely unknown. The country 

 around was rich and fertile, the natives not unfriendly, 

 but suspicious. They had probably never been visited 

 before but by man-stealers, and had never seen Europeans. 

 The Shire' valley was inhabited by the Manganja, a very 

 warlike race. Some days' journey above the junction 

 with the Zambesi, where the Shire issues from the 

 mountains, the progress of the party was stopped by 

 rapids, to which they gave the name of the " Murchison 

 Cataracts." It seemed in vain to penetrate among the 

 people at that time without supplies, considering how 

 suspicious they were. Crowds went along the banks 

 watching them by day ; they had guards over them all 

 night, and these were always ready with their bows and 

 poisoned arrows. Nevertheless, some progress was made 

 in civilising them, and at a future time it was hoped that 

 further exploration might take place. 



Some passages in Livingstone's private Journal give 

 us a glimpse of the more serious thoughts that were 

 passing through his mind at this time : — 



"March 3, 1859. — If we dedicate ourselves to God unreservedly 

 He will make use of whatever peculiarities of constitution He has 

 imparted for His own glory, and He will in answer to prayer give 

 wisdom to guide. He will so guide as to make useful. how far 



