258 DAVID LIVINGSTONE. [chap. xn. 



facts as have just been recorded, that Livingstone was 

 imperious and despotic in the management of other men, 

 otherwise he and his comrades would have got on better 

 together. The accusation, even at first sight, has an air 

 of improbability, for Livingstone's nature was most kindly, 

 and it was the aim of his life to increase enjoyment. In 

 explanation of the friction on board his ship it must be 

 remembered that his party were a sort of scratch crew 

 brought together without previous acquaintance or know- 

 ledge of each other's ways ; that the heat and the 

 mosquitos, the delays, the stoppages on sandbanks, the 

 perpetual struggle for fuel, 1 the monotony of existence, 

 with so little to break it, and the irritating influence of 

 the climate, did not tend to smooth their tempers or 

 increase the amenities of life. The malarious climate had 

 a most disturbing effect. No one, it is said, who has not 

 experienced it, could imagine the sensation of misery 

 connected with the feverish attacks so common in the low 

 districts. And Livingstone had difficulties in managing 

 his countrymen which he had not in managing the natives. 

 He was so conscientious, so deeply in earnest, so hard 

 a worker himself, that he could endure nothing that 

 seemed like playing or trifling with duty. Sometimes, 

 too, things were harshly represented to him, on which a 

 milder construction might have been put. One of those 

 with whom he parted at this time afterwards rejoined 

 the Expedition, his pay being restored on Livingstone's 

 intercession. Those who continued to enjoy his friendship 

 were never weary of speaking of his delightful qualities 

 as a companion in travel, and the warm sunshine which 

 he had the knack of spreading around. 



A third trip up the Shire was made in August, and 

 on the 16th of September Lake Nyassa was discovered. 

 Livingstone had no doubt that he and his party were the 



1 This was incredible. Livingstone wrote to his friend Jose Nunes that it took 

 all hands a day and a half to cut one day's fuel. 



