xlii PREFATORY LETTER. 



them in the only way I could, by imparting the know- 

 ledge of that Saviour who can comfort and supply them 

 in the time of need; and my prayer is that He may send 

 His good Spirit to instruct them and lead them into His 

 kingdom. Even now, I earnestly long to return, and make 

 some recompense to them for their kindness." 



He again dwells with delight on the riches of animated 

 nature. The ibis was seen in large flocks. The pelicans 

 whitened the banks, and might be counted by hundreds. 

 In other places, the banks were so covered by brown- 

 backed ducks {Anas histrionica) that he brought down 

 fourteen at a single shot. Among other incidents, his ca- 

 noe was one day attacked and upset by a hippopotamus 

 which had lost its young. Finally, after a halt at Sesheke, 

 he arrived at Linyanti in September, bringing with him 

 the presents sent for Sekeletu by the authorities of Lo- 

 anda. His waggon and its contents (things of great 

 value in the eyes of the poor Makololo) were standing, 

 where he had left them twenty-two months before, in as 

 perfect safety as if they had been locked up in the magazine 

 of an arsenal. 



Dr Livingstone never for a moment thought of procuring 

 oxen and harnessing them to his waggon for a return to the 

 Cape; which he might have done without any obvious 

 difficulty. He had effected his first purpose, and opened 

 a way for a lawful commerce with Angola. But the way 

 was long and quite unfit for the ox- waggon; and many 

 parts of the country were unhealthy. To find if possible 

 an easier and a better road, by descending along the 

 line of the Zambesi to the eastern coast of Africa, was 

 now his object: and Sekeletu readily listened to the plan, 

 and began to organize a party for the enterprise. The 

 Makololo were fired with a spirit of adventure. The great 

 Chief ordered tusks to be collected from all the country 

 round about, that they might be conveyed by Dr Living- 



