160 LIFE OF DA VID LIVINGSTONE, LL.D. 



much for the worse ; and the Chiboque so annoyed us by heavy fines levied on 

 the most frivolous pretences, that we changed our course from N.W. to N. 

 This did not relieve us long, for, when we came nearer Cassange, we found 

 our route obstructed by the M'bangala, who demanded payment of ' a man, 

 an ox, or a gun,' for leave to pass at all. A refusal on our part was some- 

 times followed by a whole tribe surrounding us, brandishing their swords, 

 arrows, and guns, and tumultuously vociferating- their demands. The more we 

 yielded, the more unreasonable the mob became, till at last, in order not to 

 aid in robbing ourselves, we ceased speaking, after telling them that they 

 must strike the first blow. My men, who were inured to fighting by Sebituane, 

 quickly surrounded the chief and councillors. These felt their danger, and 

 speedily became more amicable They never disputed the proposition that the 

 ground they cultivated alone belonged to them, and all the rest of the country 

 to God. This being the idea in the native mind, they readily admitted that 

 they had no right to demand payment for treading on the soil of our common 

 Father. But they pleaded custom ; ' slave-traders always gave them a slave.' 

 My companions being all free subjects of Sekeletu, had as good a right to give 

 me as I had to give one of them ; and the affair usually ended by our agreeing 

 to give each other food in token of friendship. I had to part with an ox ; and 

 their part of the contract was sometimes fulfilled by sending us two or three 

 pounds of the meat of our own animal, with many expressions of regret at 

 having nothing else to give. It was impossible to avoid laughing at the coolness 

 of the generous creatures. I had paid away my razors, shirts, and everything 

 I could dispense with ; but, though I showed these extortioners the instruments 

 and all we had, as being perfectly useless to them, the oxen, men and guns 

 still remained. ' You may as well give what we ask for, as we shall get the 

 whole to-morrow, after we have killed you ; ' or, ' You must go back from whence 

 you came, and say we sent you ; ' were some of the witticisms, which, with 

 hunger, were making us all sulky and savage. If Sekeletu had allowed my 

 companions to bring their shields, I could not have restrained them ; but we 

 never came into actual collision, and, as far as we are concerned, the way is 

 open for our return. On the last occasion on which we parted with an ox, 

 objections were raised against one which had lost his tail, because they imagined 

 a charm had been inserted in the stump, which might injure them ; and the 

 remaining four, still in our possession, very soon exhibited the same peculiarity 

 of their caudal extremities. Attenq>ts have frequently been made b}^ the 

 Balonda and other distant tribes to open up commercial intercourse with 

 the Portuguese, and these have always been rendered abortive by the bor- 

 derers." 



The value and magnitude of the discoveries made by Dr. Livingstone left 

 the members of the Royal Geographical Society in no dubiety as to who should 

 be the gold medallist for the year. At the annual meeting the president of the 



