CHAP. XI. DEATH OF MRS. LIVINGSTONE. 295 



— our blood boils at the very thought of our wives, 

 daughters, or sisters being touched — we, as men with 

 human feelings, would unhesitatingly fight to the death, 

 with all the fury in our power. 



The good Bishop was as intensely averse to using arms, 

 before he met the slave-hunters, as any man in England. 

 In the course he pursued he may have made a mistake, but 

 it is a mistake which very few Englishmen on meeting 

 bands of helpless captives, or members of his family in 

 bonds, would have failed to commit likewise. 



During unhealthy April, the fever was more severe in 

 Shupanga and Mazaro than usual. We had several cases 

 on board — they were quickly cured, but, from our being 

 in the delta, as quickly returned. About the middle of 

 the month Mrs. Livingstone was prostrated by this disease; 

 and it was accompanied by obstinate vomiting. Nothing 

 is yet known that can allay this distressing symptom, 

 which of course renders medicine of no avail, as it is 

 instantly rejected. She received whatever medical aid 

 could be rendered from Dr. Kirk, but became unconscious, 

 and her eyes were closed in the sleep of death as the sun 

 set on the evening of the Christian Sabbath, the 27th 

 April, 1862. A coffin was made during the night, a grave 

 was dug next day under the branches of the great baobab- 

 tree, and with sympathizing hearts the little band of his 

 countrymen assisted the bereaved husband in burying his 

 dead. At his request, the Eev. James Stewart read the 

 burial-service ; and the seamen kindly volunteered to 

 mount guard for some nights at the spot where her body 

 rests in hope. Those who are not aware how this brave, 

 good, English wife made a delightful home at Kolobeng, a 

 thousand miles inland from the Cape, and as the daughter 

 of Moffat and a Christian lady exercised most beneficial 

 influence over the rude tribes of the interior, may wonder 

 that she should have braved the dangers and toils of this 



