PREFATORY LETTER. lix 



station ; and met with fierce signs of war. There was next 

 morning imminent risk of an attack; and to prepare his 

 men for battle Dr Livingstone slaughtered an ox. His 

 men were veterans in marauding and longed for a fight. In 

 anticipation of a victory they talked, while the roasting went 

 on, of carrying off the women (in the old Roman fashion), 

 and of pressing their enemies to bear their tusks for them 

 to the coast. ' ' We shall now, they said, get both corn and 

 clothes in plenty." 



But this was not the plan of Livingstone. He had no 

 fear of the result of a fight : but by handing a leg of the ox 

 as a peace-offering to Mpende he obtained a parley. I am 

 hot an enemy, he said, to two old men, sent by the Chief; 

 I am a Lekoa (an Englishman). ic We thought you were a 

 Mozunga (a Portuguese), the tribe with which we have 

 been fighting." Fortunately they had only seen half-caste 

 slave-dealers ; and when Livingstone shewed them his skin, 

 they were convinced that he spoke truth, and added, "Ah! 

 you must be one of that tribe that has a heart to the black 

 men." There was then a new discussion. Sekwebu was 

 sent to Mpende as Livingstone's representative. Some of 

 the leading men were convinced before; and Sekwebu's 

 eloquence and prudence soon won over the great Chief, 

 who believed that the white stranger who had come among 

 them was a true Lekoa — " one of the friendly white tribe." 

 His heart was won, and from that moment he gave them 

 all the help in his power. Most thankful was Dr Living- 

 stone on gaining his end without bloodshed, and delighted 

 to find the English name thus spoken of with respect and 

 kindness by the poor Natives of central Africa. 



Next day they were ferried across to an island; and the 

 day following (the 25th of January) they all passed safely 

 to the south bank of the Zambesi. The river is stated to be 

 ],200 yards wide from bank to bank; and they crossed 

 about 700 or 800 yards of deep water, flowing at the rate 



