CHAPTER XII. 



THE PORTUGUESE POSSESSIONS. 



The Village of Tete— Inhabitants— Gold Washings— Slave Trade, Evil Effects of 

 — Decadence of Portuguese Power — Superstitions of Tete — English Calico — 

 Articles of Export — Gold — Coal — Value of Gold Dust — Appearance of Country 

 — Method of Cultivating the Soil — Agriculture Neglected — Hot Springs — 

 People Favorable to Englishmen — Cause of Portuguese Failure — Leaves Tete 

 — Nyaude's Stockade — The Gorge of Lupata — Senna — The Landeens or Zulus 

 — Misery of Senna — Surrounding Country — The Shire — Kilimane — Living- 

 stone's Object — His Theory of Mission Work — His Hopes for Africa — Arrival 

 of the " Frolic" — Disposition of Ivory — Parts with his Followers— Sekwebu — 

 In the Boats — On Board the Ship — Insanity and Death of Sekwebu — Arrival 

 at Mauritius — Dear Old England — Forbidden Scenes — Public Honors — The 

 Single Desire. 



The delight which Dr. Livingstone experienced in being 

 once more in communication with people who could in some 

 sort appreciate him was fully justified by the persevering kind- 

 ness of Major Sicard. There was no attention withholden 

 which could contribute to the comfort and enjoyment of the 

 great explorer who had traversed the whole breadth of the con- 

 tinent. 



It was the unhealthy season at Kilimane, and the generous 

 host insisted on detaining his guest at least a month, until he 

 might hope to go down to the coast safely ; and having secured 

 employment for his followers, he claimed Dr. Livingstone for 

 his personal charge. The village itself possessed no special 

 charms ; it stands on a succession of low sandstone ridges on the 

 right bank of the Zambesi, which is here nearly a thousand 

 yards wide (960 yards). Shallow ravines, running parallel with 

 the river, form the streets, the houses being built on the ridges. 

 The whole surface of the streets, except narrow footpaths, were 

 overrun with self-sown indigo, and tons of it might have been 

 collected. In fact, indigo, senna and stramonium, with a 

 species of cassia, form the weeds of the place, which are annually 

 hoed off and burned. A wall of stone and mud surrounds the 



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