318 LIVINGSTONE'S LAST JOURNALS. [Chap. XII. 



strict injunctions to Chitambo to keep the grass cleared 

 away, so as to save it from the bush-fires which annually 

 sweep over the country and destroy so many trees. Besides 

 this, they erected close to the spot two high thick posts, 

 with an equally strong cross-piece, like a lintel and door- 

 posts in form, which they painted thoroughly with the tar 

 that was intended for the boat : this sign they think will 

 remain for a long time from the solidity of the timber. 

 Before parting with Chitambo, they gave him a large tin 

 biscuit-box and some newspapers, which would serve as 

 evidence to all future travellers that a white man had been 

 at his village. 



The chief promised to do all he could to keep both the 

 tree and the timber sign-posts from being touched, but 

 added, that he hoped the English would not be long in 

 coming to see him, because there was always the risk of an 

 invasion of Mazitu, when he would have to fly, and the tree 

 might be cut down for a canoe by some one, and then all 

 trace would be lost. All was now ready for starting. 



