1873.] A UNANIMOUS KESOLVE. 313 



It was not without some alarm that the men realised their 

 more immediate difficulties : none could see better than they 

 what complications might arise in an hour. 



They knew the superstitious horror connected with the 

 dead to be prevalent in the tribes around them, for the 

 departed spirits of men are universally believed to have 

 vengeance and mischief at heart as their ruling idea in the 

 land beyond the grave. All rites turn on this belief. The 

 religion of the African is a weary attempt to propitiate those 

 who show themselves to be still able to haimt and destroy, 

 as war comes or an accident happens. 



On this account it is not to be wondered at that chief 

 and people make common cause against those who wander 

 through their territory, and have the misfortune to lose one 

 of their party by death. Who is to tell the consequences ? 

 Such occurrences are looked on as most serious offences, 

 and the men regarded their position with no small appre- 

 hension. 



Calling the whole party together, Susi and Chumah 

 placed the state of affairs before them, and asked what 

 should be done. They received a reply from those whom 

 Mr. Stanley had engaged for Dr. Livingstone, which was 

 hearty and unanimous. " You," said they, " are old men in 

 travelling and in hardships ; you must act as our chiefs, and 

 we will promise to obey whatever you order us to do." 

 From this moment we may look on Susi and Chumah as 

 the Captains of the caravan. To their knowledge of the 

 country, of the tribes through which they were to pass, but, 

 above all, to the sense of discipline and cohesion which was 

 maintained throughout, their safe return to Zanzibar at the 

 head of their men must, under God's good guidance, be 

 mainly attributed. 



All agreed that Chitambo ought to be kept in ignorance 

 of Dr. Livingstone's decease, or otherwise a fine so heavy 

 would be inflicted upon them as compensation for damage 



