480 LIFE OF DA VID LIVINGSTONE, LL.D. 



after squandering them for sixteen months on the way to Ujiji, finished up 

 by selling off all that remained for slaves and ivory for himself. He had 

 divined on the Koran, and found that I was dead. He had also written 

 to the governor of Unyanyembe that he had sent slaves after me to Manyema, 

 who returned and reported my decease, and begged permission to sell off 

 the few goods that his drunken appetite had spared. He, however, knew 

 perfectly well from men who had seen me, that I was alive, and waiting 

 for the goods and men; but as for morality, he is evidently an idiot; and 

 there being no law here except that of the dagger or musket, I had to sit 

 down in great weakness, destitute of everything save a few barter cloths 

 and beads I had taken the precaution to leave here in case of extreme need. 

 The near prospect of beggary among Ujijans made me miserable. I could 

 not despair, because I laughed so much at a friend who, on reaching the 

 mouth of the Zambesi, said ' that he was tempted to despair on breaking the 

 photograph of his wife : we could have no success after that.' After that, the 

 idea of despair has to me such a strong smack of the ludicrous, it is out of 

 the question. 



" Well, when I had got about the lowest verge, vague rumours of an 

 English visitor reached me. I thought of myself as the man who went down 

 from Jerusalem to Jericho; but neither priest, Levite, nor Samaritan, could 

 possibly pass my way. Yet the good Samaritan was close at hand ; and one 

 of my people rushed up at the top of his speed, and in great excitement gasped 

 out, ' An Englishman coming I I see him I' And off he darted to meet him. 

 An American flag, the first ever seen in these parts, at the head of a caravan, 

 told me the nationality of the stranger. I am as cold and non-demonstrative 

 as we islanders are usually reputed to be, but your kindness made my frame 

 thrill. It was indeed overwhelming, and I said in my soul, ' Let the richest 

 blessings descend from the Highest on you and yours.' 



" The news Mr. Stanley had to tell me was thrilling: the mighty politi- 

 cal changes on the Continent, the success of the Atlantic cables, the election of 

 General Grant, and many topics, riveted my attention for days together, and 

 had an immediate and beneficial effect on my health. I had been without 

 news from home for years, save what I could glean from a few Saturday 

 Reviews and Punch for 1868. The appetite revived, and in a week I began 

 to feel strong again. Mr. Stanley brought a most kind and encouraging 

 despatch from Lord Clarendon, whose loss I sincerely deplore — the first I 

 have received from the Foreign Office since 1866 — and information that Her 

 Majesty's Government had kindly sent £1000 to my aid. Up to his arrival 

 I was not aware of any pecuniary aid. I came unsalaried, but this want is 

 now happily repaired ; and I am anxious that you and all my friends should 

 know that, though uncheered by letters, I have stuck to the task which my 



