300 LIFE OF DA VID LIVINGSTONE, LL.D. 



the blisters broken. Our good strong boots were quite worn through ; a pair 

 of 'powries' (none-such) went as the others, though in ordinary travelling 

 there was no wearing them down. On still urging the Makololo to another 

 effort, they said that ' they always believed I had a heart till then ; I had 

 surely become insane, and they were sorry Kirk could not understand 

 them, for if he could he would go back with them.' A fortnight and 

 thirty miles made us all lean and haggard, as if recovering from 

 severe illness. Had I come by this way in 1856, I should never 

 have reached Tete. I do not attempt to describe the rocks, broken, twisted, 

 huddled about in the wildest manner and confusion, over which we struggled: 

 it is impossible. But this region, with its lofty healthy mountains, will yet 

 become famous for tourists. We climbed over mountains 2,000 or 2,300 feet 

 high, and cut our way through the tangled forest that covers them. I once 

 thought highly of field geography, and despised that of the easy chair ; but I 

 gave in now. Commend me to travelling with a pair of compasses or seven- 

 league boots, without any regard to the slight obstacles which Nature has inter- 

 posed. Easy-chair geography will do for all the easy-going people, and is often 

 believed in by even the public ; but you need not supppose I have been going 

 the length of making no observations, though I cannot send you any on this 

 occasion ; no time to transcribe." 



" The people inhabiting the valley of the Zambesi above the confluence 

 of the Kafue are chiefly Baleuje and Bawe ; but they are much mixed with 

 other tribes. They all cultivate the soil and raise large quantities of grain. 

 A considerable amount of remarkably fine cotton is also planted, yet a large 

 number of the men go stark naked. They are not inferior in any respect to 

 the natives who clothe themselves — the women are all decently covered ; but 

 these Baenda-pezi, or go-nakeds as they are called, are absolutely devoid of 

 shame. Their tobacco-pipes are elaborately ornamented with iron and 

 copper, and they are sufficiently conceited in the fashion of their hair and the 

 colour of the beads around their necks ; but though they deny the existence 

 of any law on the subject except custom, neither laughing nor joking could 

 arouse the sense of decency. What was of more importance, they were very 

 hospitable, and accompanied us for days together, carrying the burdens of our 

 men for very small payments." 



