2 INTRODUCTION. 



in the absence of any excellence in literary composition, 

 the natural consequence of my pursuits, I have to offer 

 only a simple account of a mission which, with respect to 

 the objects proposed to be thereby accomplished, formed a 

 noble contrast to some of the earlier expeditions to Eastern 

 Africa. I believe that the information it will give, re- 

 specting the people visited and the countries traversed, 

 will not be materially gainsaid by any future common- 

 place traveller like myself, who may be blest with fair 

 health and a gleam of sunshine in his breast. This 

 account is written in the earnest hope that it may con- 

 tribute to that information which will yet cause the great 

 and fertile continent of Africa to be no longer kept 

 wantonly sealed, but made available as the scene of 

 European enterprise, and will enable its people to take 

 a place among the nations of the earth, thus securing the 

 happiness and prosperity of tribes now sunk in barbarism 

 or debased by slavery ; and, above all, I cherish the hope 

 that it may lead to the introduction of the blessings of the 

 Gospel. 



In order that the following narrative may be clearly 

 understood, it is necessary to call to mind some things 

 which took place previous to the Zambesi Expedition 

 being sent out. Most geographers are aware that, before 

 the discovery of Lake Ngami and the well- watered country 

 in which the Makololo dwell, the idea prevailed that a 

 large part of the interior of Africa consisted of sandy 

 deserts, into which rivers ran and were lost. During my 

 journey in 1852-6, from sea to sea, across the south inter- 

 tropical part of the continent, it was found to be a well- 

 watered country, with large tracts of fine fertile soil 

 covered with forest, and beautiful grassy valleys, occupied 

 by a considerable population ; and one of the most 

 wonderful waterfalls in the world was brought to light. 

 The peculiar form of the continent was then ascertained 



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