UNFORTUNATE ASSOCIATIONS. 561 



better to be imitating only that meanest possible trait of a 

 higher manhood which was displayed in the covetousness of the 

 Arab traders. 



Between the lake and the village of Muabo, which is distin- 

 guished by the strikingly euphonious name Kabwabwati, there 

 was an extensive plain which the rains had flooded, and there 

 was no avoiding it. The mud was generally ankle-deep, and 

 for four long hours the sick and hungry man dragged along this 

 dreadful path, whose horrors were varied only by the occasional 

 accident of stepping into the deep track of the elephant. But 

 when the Luao was reached the wading became more serious, 

 and for a full quarter of a mile the water flowed quite waist- 

 deep. This stream, like many of those of Africa, imparts won- 

 derful fertility to its border lands by its regular overflows ; but 

 the people must accept the benefits they receive as the price of 

 health and comfort. The inhabitants seemed exceedingly sus- 

 picious of the travellers, and often closed the gates of their stock- 

 ades on their approach. On some accounts it may have seemed 

 a providential thing that Livingstone had fallen into the com- 

 pany of Arab traders : it seemed to be a protection to him. But 

 we can not suppress our regret that he could not have continued 

 entirely separated from them that his life might have stood out 

 before the people among whom he passed in unclouded contrast 

 with that unprincipled class. It was hardly to be expected of 

 the ignorant natives that they would distinguish nicely between 

 the character of men travelling as companions, or be very much 

 impressed with the professions of generosity and love of Dr. 

 Livingstone, while by his side sat men who acknowledged no 

 creed but self-interest, and were held in dread and detestation. 

 It is a striking evidence of the singular capacity of Livingstone 

 for his chosen work, that at so great a disadvantage he still suc- 

 ceeded in winning the confidence and friendship of so many of 

 the rude residents of these distrustful villages. It was only by 

 the most constant vigilance that he could do it. The slaves of 

 Mohamad were continually stealing something from the patches 

 by the way, which, though of trifling value, must be returned. 



Kabwabwati was reached on the 16th of January, in the 

 midst of the rainy season. The plain which he had already 

 crossed was hardly a specimen of the condition of vast tracts of 



