178 LIVINGSTONE'S LAST JOURNALS. [Chap. VII. 



All the other goods I had divided in case of loss or 

 desertion, but had never dreamed of losing the precious 

 quinine and other remedies ; other losses and annoyances I 

 felt as just parts of that undercurrent of vexations which is 

 not wanting in even the smoothest life, and certainly not 

 worthy of being moaned over in the experience of an ex- 

 plorer anxious to benefit a country and people — but this 

 loss I feel most keenly. Everything of this kind happens 

 by the permission of One who watches over us with most 

 tender care ; and this may turn out for the best by taking 

 away a source of suspicion among more superstitious, charm- 

 dreading people further north. I meant it as a source of 

 benefit to my party and to the heathen. 



We returned to Lisunga, and got two men off to go back 

 to Chafunga's village, and intercept the deserters if they 

 went there ; but it is likely that, having our supply of flour, 

 they will give our route a wide berth and escape altogether. 

 It is difficult to say from the heart, "Thy will be done;" 

 but I shall try. These Waiyau had few advantages : sold 

 into slavery in early life, they were in the worst possible 

 school for learning to be honest and honourable, they be- 

 haved well for a long time; but, having had hard and 

 scanty fare in Lobisa, wet and misery in passing through 

 dripping forests, hungry nights and fatiguing days, their 

 patience must have been worn out, and they had no senti- 

 ments of honour, or at least none so strong as we ought to 

 have ; they gave way to the temptation which their good 

 conduct had led us to put in their way. Some we have 

 come across in this journey seemed born essentially mean 

 and base — a great misfortune to them and all Avho have to 

 deal with them, but they cannot be so blamable as those who 

 have no natural tendency to meanness, and whose education 

 has taught them to abhor it. True; yet this loss of the 

 medicine-box gnaws at the heart terribly. 



21st and 22nd January, — Remained at Lisunga — raining 



