1873.] DISTRESSING DETAILS. 305 



putting any pressure on the lumbar region of the back ; in 

 this way he was deposited in the bottom of the canoe, and 

 quickly ferried across the Mulilamo by Chowpere', Susi, 

 Farijala, and Chumah. The same precautions were used on 

 the other side : the kitanda was brought close to the canoe, 

 so as to prevent any unnecessary pain in disembarking. 



Susi now hurried on ahead to reach Chitambo's village, 

 and superintend the building of another house. For the 

 first mile or two they had to carry the Doctor through 

 swamps and plashes, glad to reach something like a dry 

 plain at last. 



It would seem that his strength was here at its very 

 lowest ebb. Chumah, one of his bearers on these the last 

 weary miles the great traveller was destined to accomplish, 

 says that they were every now and then implored to stop 

 and place their burden on the ground. So great were 

 the pangs of his disease during this day that he could 

 make no attempt to stand, and if lifted for a few yards 

 a drowsiness came over him, which alarmed them all exces- 

 sively. This was specially the case at one spot where a tree 

 stood in the path. Here one of his attendants was called 

 to him, and, on stooping down, he found him unable to 

 speak from faintness. They replaced him in the kitanda, 

 and made the best of their way on the journey. Some dis- 

 tance further on great thirst oppressed him ; he asked them 

 if they had any water, but, unfortunately for once, not a 

 drop was to be procured. Hastening on for fear of getting 

 too far separated from the party in advance, to their great 

 comfort they now saw Farijala approaching with some 

 which Susi had thoughtfully sent off from Chitambo's 

 village. 



Still wending their way on, it seemed as if they would 

 not complete their task, for again at a clearing the sick 

 man entreated them to place him on the ground, and to let 

 him stay where he was. Fortunately at this moment some 



VOL. n. x 



