196 LIFE OF DA VID LIVINGSTONE, LL.D. 



out the bed of a still more ancient river than those trickling rills which now 

 pass by the name. It flowed from north to south, exactly as the Zambesi does 

 now, and ended in a large lake, which must have been discharged when the 

 fissure was made through which the Orange river now flows. At the point of 

 confluence between river and lake some hills of amygdaloid caused an eddy, 

 and in the eddy we have a mound of tufa and travertin full of fossil bones. 

 From these I had hopes of ascertaining the age of the river ; but, in addition 

 to my time being much restricted by sacred duties, I had no instrument with 

 me when I discovered these beautiful fossils, which stand out in relief on the 

 rock. On the second occasion I was called off by express to the child of 

 another missionary, and galloped a hundred miles to find him in his grave. 

 To crown all, some epiphises and teeth, which I sent with specimens to illus- 

 trate the geology of the interior, though taken to England by the Rev. H. H. 

 Methuen, were stolen from the railway before reaching Dr. Buckland's hands. 

 As it is not likely that I shall ever visit the spot again, I may mention that 

 the mound is near Bootschap, and well known to the Rev. H. Helmore, who 

 would willingly show it to any one desirous of procuring specimens. They 

 are perfectly fossilised, and about the same size as zebras or buffaloes. 



" With respect to the spirit in which our efforts have been viewed by the 

 Makololo, I think there is no cause for discouragement. The men of my 

 company worked vigorously while at Loanda, and their savings appeared to 

 them to be considerable. But the long journey back forced us to expend all 

 our goods, and on arriving at the Barotse we were all equally poor. Our 

 reception and subsequent treatment were, however, most generous and kind. 

 The public reports delivered by my companions were sufficiently flattering to 

 me, and their private opinions must have been in unison, for many volunteers 

 have come forward unasked to go to the east. A fresh party was despatched 

 with ivory for Loanda, and only two days were allowed for preparation. 

 They are under the guidance of the Arab from Zanzibar already alluded to, 

 and the men have no voice in the disposal of the goods ; they are simply to 

 look and learn. After my late companions have rested some time, it is in- 

 tended for them to return as independent traders. This was not my sugges- 

 tion — indeed I could scarcely have expected it, for the hunger and fatigue 

 they endured were most trying to men who have abundance of food and 

 leisure at home. But the spirit of trade is strong in the Africans, and they 

 are much elated with the large prices given at Loanda. 



"If no untoward event interferes, a vigorous trade will certainly be 

 established. The knowledge of the great value of ivory puts a stop to the 

 slave-trade in a very natural way. As our cruizers on the west coast render 

 property in slaves of very small value there, the Mambari, who are generally 

 subjects of Kangombe of Bihe, purchase slaves for domestic purposes only; 

 but to make such a long journey as that from Bihe to the Batoka country, east 



