143 LIFE OF DA VID LIVINGSTONE, LL.D. 



all they could get, and after a bunch of beads and a large handerkerchief had 

 been given, they were more clamorous than ever. Feeling certain that he 

 and his men could give a good account of these plundering savages, but being 

 determined to avoid bloodshed unless driven to extremity, Livingstone main- 

 tained his coolness, which had its effect upon his men as well as upon the 

 Chiboque. Before the chief and his counsellors were aware of it, they found 

 themselves cut off from their people and surrounded by Livingstone's party. 

 This induced a more friendly understanding, and taught them unmistakably 

 that any attempt at plunder would be met with a most formidable defence. 

 Being desirous of satisfying them as far as possible, a tired ox was given to 

 the chief, who promised to send food in return, — but all he sent was a small 

 basket of meal and a few pounds of the flesh of his own ox. As they could 

 now depart, Livingstone forbore remonstrating against the shabby treatment 

 they had received, and pushed on. 



For several days he suffered severely from fever, being scarcely able to 

 sit upon his ox, and when quite prostrate from its effects, a mutiny arose 

 among his men, who were dissatisfied on account of some presents he had 

 made to his guides and chief men, who had become disheartened, and whose 

 goodwill and courage were so necessary to the safety of the expedition. 

 Having explained the matter to them, and promised to slay an ox at the next 

 village they reached, he imagined that harmony was restored. Some time 

 after, on recovering from a stupor induced by fever, he found matters in a 

 worse state than ever. Feeling how necessary it was that order should be 

 restored, he staggered from his bed armed with his double-barrelled pistol, 

 and, partly by threats and cajolery, restored amity amongst them. Several 

 days afterwards, the exactions of the Chiboque and the dangers with which 

 they were daily beset sapped the courage of his men, and they demanded to 

 be led back to their homes, as they saw no hope of being able to reach the 

 coast. After using all his power of persuasion without avail, he announced 

 his intention in the event of their deserting him, of proceeding to his destina- 

 tion alone. This had the desired effect ; some of them made answer: "We 

 will never leave you. Do not be disheartened. Wherever you lead we will 

 follow. Our remarks were made only on account of the injustice of these 

 people." 



Those who had accompanied him all the way, said " they were all my 

 children ; they knew no one but Sekeletu and me, and they would die for 

 me." At every step of his journey we are called upon to admire the wisdom 

 and courage of this heroic man. On many occasions the slightest indiscretion 

 or rashness would have ruined the expedition by exciting the jealous and sus- 

 picious nature of those savage tribes; and when real danger threatened, his cool 

 and resolute bearing — offering no violence, but showing unmistakably that if 

 such were absolutely necessary it would be forthcoming — saved them frequently 



