168 LIVINGSTONE'S LAST JOURNALS. [Chap. TIL 



I shall make this beautiful laud better known, which is 

 an essential part of the process by which it will become the 

 " pleasant haunts of men." It is impossible to describe its 

 rich luxuriance, but most of it is running to waste through 

 the slave-trade and internal wars. 



Slst December. — When we started this morning after rain, 

 all the trees and grass dripping, a lion roared, but we did 

 not see him. A woman had come a long way and built a 

 neat miniature hut in the burnt-out ruins of her mother's 

 house : the food-offering she placed in it, and the act of 

 filial piety, no doubt comforted this poor mourner's heart ! 



We arrived at Chitembo's village and found it deserted. 

 The Babisa dismantle their huts and carry off the thatch to 

 their gardens, where they live till harvest is over. This 

 fallowing of the framework destroys many insects, but we 

 observed that wherever Babisa and Arab slavers go they 

 leave the breed of the domestic bug : it would be well if 

 that were all the ill they did ! Chitembo was working in 

 his garden when we arrived, but soon came, and gave us 

 the choice of all the standing huts : he is an old man, much 

 more frank and truthful than our last headman, and says 

 that Chitapanga is paramount chief of all the Abemba. 



Three or four women whom we saw performing a rain 

 dance at Moerwa's were here doing the same; their faces 

 smeared with meal, and axes in their hands, imitating as 

 well as they could the male voice. I got some maere or 

 millet here and a fowl. 



We now end 1866. It has not been so fruitful or useful as 

 I intended. Will try to do better in 1867, and be better — 

 more gentle and loving ; and may the Almighty, to whom I 

 commit my way, bring my desires to pass, and prosj)er me ! 

 Let all the sins of 'QQ be blotted out for Jesus' sake. 

 ****** 



1st January, 1867. — May He who was full of grace and 

 truth impress His character on mine. Grace — eagerness to 



