192 ON THE EOAD. 



for joy to see the abodes prepared which man was soon to fill.' 

 The imbedded pieces in the conglomerate are of gneiss, clay 

 shale, mica and sandstone schists, trap, and porphyry, most of 

 which are large enough to give the whole the appearance of 

 being the only remaining vestiges of vast primeval banks of 

 shingle." 



The little village, environed by these huge, immovable sen- 

 tinels, is entered by narrow pathways, across which there are 

 beautiful little streams flowing, and has the air of quiet and 

 almost conscious security which is only natural in such a fast- 

 ness. 



It was January 1st, 1855, before the party were again on the 

 path. The Makololo marched along proudly enough. All 

 along they passed the villages of the people who had excited 

 their fears when they were approaching the coast, and they let 

 no opportunity pass now which might be improved in reciting 

 their exploits. Their attentions to Dr. Livingstone were more 

 devoted than ever, and the happy confidence and comparative 

 freshness of the entire party enabled them to move on with 

 remarkable facility, though every man carried his own posses- 

 sions. The method employed by the natives of Africa is some- 

 thing like that by which the Chinese carry such heavy burdens 

 with so much ease. The bundle or basket is fastened to the 

 end of a pole, which is placed on the shoulder. They have yet 

 to learn that the dividing of the burden strictly, according to 

 the fashion of the Celestials, would make their labor lighter 

 still. In the engraving of the rocks of Pungo Andongo, the 

 travelling party is seen winding along by the base of the 

 gigantic pillars, with Dr. Livingstone, mounted on his vigorous 

 ox, in the midst. The Makololo could not become expert 

 riders ; and Livingstone himself, indeed, found the method of 

 conveyance, as furnished by the particular animal which had 

 been raised to the dignity of his steed, attended with some in- 

 conveniences, in which the frequent most unceremonious pre- 

 cipitations into mud or sand or thorns or streams figured con- 

 spicuously. 



All along the way there were passing parties of traders and 

 natives, with their heavy loads of merchandise for the market 

 at Loanda. These consisted chiefly of elephants' tusks and 



