3.28 LIVINGSTONE'S LAST JOURNALS. [Chap. XIII. 



companions through. Hostilities might still have been 

 averted had better counsel prevailed. 



The men began to look about for huts in which to 

 deposit their things, when the same drunken fellow drew 

 a bow and fired at Muanyasere. The man called out to 

 the others to seize him, which was done in an instant. 

 A loud cry now burst forth that the chiefs son was in 

 danger, and one of the people, hurling a spear, wounded 

 Sabouri slightly in the thigh : this was the signal for a 

 general scrimmage. 



Chawende's men fled from the town ; the drums beat the 

 assembly in all directions, and an immense number flocked to 

 the spot from the two neighbouring villages, armed with their 

 bows, arrows, and spears. An assault instantly began from 

 the outside. N'chise was shot with an arrow in the shoulder 

 through the palisade, and N'taru in the finger. Things were 

 becoming desperate. Putting the body of Dr. Livingstone 

 and all their goods and chattels in one hut, they charged 

 out of the town, and fired on the assailants, killing two and 

 wounding several others. Fearing that they would only 

 gather together in the other remaining villages and renew 

 the attack at night, the men carried these quickly one by 

 one and subsequently burnt six others which were built 

 on the same side of the river, then crossing over, they 

 fired on the canoes which were speeding towards the deep 

 water of Bangweolo, through the channel of the Lopupussi, 

 with disastrous results to the fugitive people. 



Eeturning to the town, all was made safe for the night. 

 By the fortunes of war, sheep, goats, fowls, and an immense 

 quantity of food fell into their hands ; and they remained 

 for a week to recruit. Once or twice they found men 

 approaching at night to throw fire on the roofs of the huts 

 from outside, but with this exception they were not inter- 

 fered with. On the last day but one a man approached and 

 called to them at the top of his voice not to set fire to the 



