OBJECTS IN VISITING THE INTERIOR. 7 



a fissure into the river Zambesi, flowing to the east, the 

 basin itself being covered with a layer of calcareous tufa. 

 My object in going into the country south of the desert 

 was to instruct the natives in a knowledge of Christianity, 

 but many circumstances prevented my living amongst 

 them more than seven years, amongst which were consider- 

 ations arising out of the slave system carried on by the 

 Dutch Boers. I resolved to go into the country beyond, 

 and soon found that, for the purposes of commerce, it 

 was necessary to have a path to the sea. I might have 

 gone on instructing the natives in religion, but as civi- 

 lization and Christianity must go on together, I was 

 obliged to find a path to the sea, in order that I should 

 not sink to the level of the natives 1 . The chief 2 was 



1 After leaving Lake Ngami, Dr Livingstone took his family back 

 to the Cape, and then set out on his first great journey. He visited 

 Sebituane, at whose death he recommenced his exploring labours. 

 During the course of these, he floundered through the marshy country 

 south of Linyanti, and came so unexpectedly upon Secheletu, that the 

 people said "he dropped from the clouds, riding on a hippopotamus." 



2 This is Secheletu, chief of the Makololo, being the son of Sebituane. 

 When Dr Livingstone first knew him he was eighteen years old, being 

 of a coffee and milk colour. He became chief through the resignation 

 and at the desire of his sister, Mamochisane, whom Sebituane, at his 

 death, had appointed to govern. Secheletu had a rival, 'Mpepe, who, 

 while alive, rendered his position somewhat insecure. This 'Mpepe 

 attempted to assassinate him as he was escorting our traveller to explore 

 the river Chobe, and visiting his possessions. Dr Livingstone uninten- 

 tionally prevented this design by stepping between them just as the 

 murderer was about to strike the chief down. 



Secheletu behaved so generously towards Dr Livingstone, at all 

 times and in so many ways, that the civilized world and Africa are 

 deeply indebted to him for contributing so largely towards the opening 

 of the interior of that vast continent. He found the escort of twenty- 



