228 



THE LOWER ORDERS. 



to the otherwise perilous undertaking of missionary work in 

 Africa. 



Both the condition of the people and the character of the 

 country impressed Dr. Livingstone as offering peculiar encour- 

 agements for the establishment of a mission in this region. 

 The people, though ignorant and depraved, would turn readily 

 to the sympathies and consolations of Christian laborers and 

 their message. And the country, with its splendid climate and 

 a soil which yields the most desirable articles with lightest labor, 

 is unsurpassed in its offers of plenty and comfort. But he who 

 undertakes the duties of a missionary among such a people 

 must expect to accomplish their enlightenment very gradually, 

 and remember that he will have no special influence simply 

 because of being a " Christian teacher," for these people know 

 nothing of Christianity. They must be made to respect his 

 superior virtue and strength of character, and to think of him 

 as their friend ; then they will follow him readily. 



Enjoying the abundant hospitality of these poor people and 

 the bracing effects of the beautiful scenery and salubrious 

 climate, Dr. Livingstone had time to notice a number of curious 

 and interesting individuals of the lower order. 



It was interesting to observe the sagacity of the herds which 

 were feeding along the plains in the selection of their leader. 

 The leader of a herd is a very important member; the entire 

 body seem to put their lives in the care of the leader. It is 

 the duty of that dignitary to catch the faintest semblance of 

 danger, and all his followers repose implicit confidence in choice 

 of paths he may take for flight, and follow in his or her tracks 

 with reckless impetuosity. Of course it is important that the 

 most wary animal in the herd be selected for the leadership ; 

 and the duty not unfrequently devolves on the most timid. No 

 greater calamity can befall a herd than to have a leader killed. 

 The whole mass is immediately thrown into confusion ; one at- 

 tempts to follow another ; they invariably lose much precious 

 time, only to scamper away each for itself in utter perplexity 

 and consternation. Providence has kindly furnished some of 

 the larger animals with little winged sentinels, whose duty it is 

 to caution them df approaching danger. It is no uncommon 

 thing to see a huge buffalo dashing along with his little feathered 



