270 LIVINGSTONE'S LAST JOURNALS. [Chap. X. 



water in the paths wished to take. One and a half hour 

 more, and then to the Eiver Loon, a large stream with 

 bridge destroyed. Sent to make repairs before we go over 

 it, and then passed. The river is deep, and flows fast to the 

 S.W., having about 200 yards of safe flood flowing in long' 

 grass — clear water. The men built their huts, and had their 

 camp ready by 3 p.m. A good day's work, not hindered by 

 rain. The country all depopulated, so we can buy nothing. 

 Elephants and antelopes have been here lately. 



26th January. — I arranged to go to our next Eiver Luena r 

 and ascend it till we found it small enough for crossing, as 

 it has much " Tinga-tinga," or yielding spongy soil ; but 

 another plan was formed by night, and we were requested to 

 go down the Loou. Not wishing to appear overbearing, I 

 consented until we were, after two hours' southing, brought 

 up by several miles of Tinga-tinga. The people in a 

 fishing village ran away from us, and we had to wait 

 for some sick ones. The women are collecting mushrooms. 

 A man came near us, but positively refused to guide us to 

 Matipa, or anywhere else. 



The sick people compelled us to make an early halt. 



21th January. — On again through streams, over sponges 

 and rivulets thigh deep. There are marks of gnu and 

 buffalo. I lose much blood, but it is a safety-valve for 

 me, and I have no fever or other ailments. 



28th January. — A dreary wet morning, and no food that 

 we know of near. It is drop, drop, drop, and drizzling from 

 the north-west. We killed our last calf but one last night,, 

 to give each a mouthful. At 9.30 we were allowed by the 

 rain to leave our camp, and march S.E. for two hours to a 

 strong deep rivulet ten feet broad only, but waist deep, and 

 150 yards of flood all deep too. Sponge about forty yards 

 in all, and running fast out. Camped by a broad prairie or 

 Bouga. 



29th January. — No rain in the night, for a wonder. We 



