PREFATORY LETTER. xvii 



and zebras ; herds of buffaloes, gnus, water-antelopes, and other 

 ruminants, were the inviting game of the neighbouring country. 

 "Alligators (Crocodiles?) in prodigious numbers/' sometimes 

 with their attendant watch-birds, might be seen near the banks of 

 the great river. Shoals of hippopotami so filled its waters, that 

 in some places it required skill and caution to steer the canoes 

 clear of them, and avoid their lumbering carcases when they 

 were disturbed and rose suddenly towards the surface. Some- 

 times the females were found moving through the water, and 

 bearing their young (gipsy-fashion) on their backs. Strange 

 wading birds were seen along the shoals. The moping ibis of 

 Egypt was found upon the river banks. Flocks of black 

 geese, and multitudes of water-fowl were rising continually 

 before them. All nature seemed to swarm with life; and 

 each creature to be fitted for its work and element. 



As our travellers ascended the Leeba, the game on which 

 they fed became less and less abundant. The Natives had 

 procured fire-arms, by wretched bargains with the slave-dealer, 

 and had driven the larger animals into the recesses of the 

 forest. Hence, while Dr Livingstone and his brave followers 

 crossed to the western side of the water-shed (and for six 

 weeks afterwards), they had to sleep upon the damp ground, 

 to live generally on manioc (a miserable tasteless innutritious 

 food, like starch), and sometimes to endure the severe pains of 

 hunger. Through dire necessity they had to slaughter several 

 of the oxen which carried them and their baggage and the 

 tusks Sekeletu had sent with them for the market of the far 

 west. 



But I must not, in this sketch, pass over the Native 

 families with whom they held intercourse on their way. 

 From the bottom to the top of the Barotse valley they met 

 with every mark of good-will and kindness which the humble 

 negro could show to strangers. Their wants were all supplied 

 — their food was abundant — and they suffered nothing but 

 what inevitably sprang from fatigue and an oppressive climate. 



4 



