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



to ensure the safety of the baggage. Dividing themselves 

 into three parties, the first detachment went across to meet 

 the strangers, carrying the Arab flag in front. Chmna 

 headed another band at a little distance in the rear of these, 

 whilst Susi and a few more crouched in the jungle, with the 

 body concealed in a roughly-made hut. Their fears, how- 

 ever, were needless : it turned out to be a caravan bound for 

 Fipa to hunt elephants and buy ivory and slaves. The new 

 arrivals told them that they had come straight through 

 Unyanyembe from Bagamoio, on the coast, and that the 

 Doctor's death had already been reported there by natives 

 of Fipa. 



As we notice with what rapidity the evil tidings spread 

 (for the men found that it had preceded them in all direc- 

 tions), one of the great anxieties connected with African 

 travel and exploration seems to be rather increased than 

 diminished. It shoAvs us that it is never wise to turn an 

 entirely deaf ear when the report of a disaster comes to 

 hand, because in this instance the main facts were conveyed 

 across country, striking the great arterial caravan route at 

 Unyanyembe, and getting at once into a channel that would 

 ensure the intelligence reaching Zanzibar. On the other 

 hand, false reports never lag on their journey : — how often 

 has Livingstone been killed in former years ! Nor is one's 

 perplexity lessened by past experience, for we find the 

 oldest and most sagacious travellers when consulted are, 

 as a rule, no more to be depended on than the merest 

 tyro in guessing. 



With no small satisfaction, the men learnt from the 

 outward-bound caravan that the previous story was a true 

 one, and they were assured that Dr. Livingstone's son with 

 two Englishmen and a quantity of goods had already reached 

 Unyanyembe. 



The country here showed all the appearance of a salt- 

 pan : indeed a quantity of very good salt was collected by 



