80 LIFE OF DA VID LIVINGSTONE, LL.D. 



where it is joined by the Zouga ; longitude about 24° E. We do not, however, 

 Mow it with certainty. We left our waggon near the Batavana town, and rode 

 on horseback about six miles beyond to the broad part. It gradually widens out 

 into a Frith, about 15 miles across, as you go south from the town, and in the 

 south south-west presents a large horizon of water. It is reported to be about 

 70 miles in length, bends round to the north-west, and there receives another 

 river similar to the Zouga. The Zouga runs to the north-east. The thorns 

 were so thickly planted near the upper part of this river that we left all our 

 waggons standing about 180 miles from the lake, except that of Mr. Oswell, 

 in which we travelled the remaining distance. But for this precaution our 

 oxen would have been unable to return. I am now standing at a tribe 

 of Bakurutse, and shall in a day or two re-enter the desert. 



" The principal disease reported to prevail at certain seasons appears 

 from the account of the symptoms the natives give to be pneumonia, and not 

 fever. When the wind rises to an ordinary breeze, such immense clouds of 

 dust arise from the numerous dried-out lakes, called salt pans, that the whole 

 atmosphere becomes quite yellow, and one cannot distinguish objects more 

 than two miles off. It causes irritation in the eyes, and as wind prevails 

 almost constantly at certain seasons, this impalpable powder may act as it 

 does among the grinders in Sheffield. We observed cough among them, a 

 complaint almost unknown at Kolobeng. Mosquitoes swarm in summer, and 

 banyan aud palmyra trees give in some parts an Indian cast to the scenery. 

 Who will go in to possess this goodly land in the name of Him whose right it 

 is to reign ? " David Livingstone." 



The second journey to Lake Ngami was undertaken in April, 1850, with 

 the view of pushing up the Tamunakle, a tributary of the Zouga, to visit 

 Sebituane. Sechele, Mrs. Livingstone, and her three children accompanied 

 the intrepid traveller on this journey. Just as he had arranged with Lechula- 

 tebe to furnish the necessary guides, and to undertake the protection of Mrs. 

 Livingstone and the children during his absence, the latter were seized with 

 fever. As several of their attendants were seized at the same time, the attempt 

 was given up as hopeless at this time, and the party, after recruiting in the 

 pure air of the desert, returned to Kolobeng. 



Writing of this journey from Kolobeng, August 24, 1850, Livingstone 

 says : — 



" Mrs. Livingstone and Mebalwe, the native teacher, had joined in my 

 desire to visit Sebituane ; and. Sechele, our chief, having purchased a waggon, 

 the first service he wished it to perform was to place him in presence of the 

 man who, in former years, when assaulting the Bakwain town, ordered his 

 followers to be sure and spare the fives of the sons of Mochoasele (Sechele's 

 father). The attack having been made in the dark, Sechele was badly 

 wounded, and lay insensible till the morning. When recognised, Sebituane 



