624 LIFE OF DA VID LIVINGSTONE, LL.D. 



11 Two or three days after my arrival a deputation of the ' Faithfuls ' 

 came to me to learn my intentions and purposes. I informed them that I 

 was about to make a much longer journey into Africa than before, and into 

 very different countries from any that I had ever been into as yet, and I pro- 

 ceeded to sketch out to the astonished men an outline of the prospective 

 journey. They were all seated on the ground before me, tailor-fashion, eyes 

 and ears interested, and keen to see and hear every word of my broken Kisa- 

 wahili. As country after country was mentioned, of which they had hitherto 

 but dimly heard, and river after river, lake after lake, named, all of which T 

 hoped, with their aid, to explore carefully and thoroughly, various ejacula- 

 tions, expressive of emotions of wonder, joy, and a little alarm, broke from 

 their lips ; but when I concluded each man drew a long breath, and, almost 

 simultaneously, they uttered, in their own language, ' Ah, fellows, this is a 

 journey worthy to be called a journey I' 



" ' But, master,' said they, with some anxiety, ' this long journey will 

 take years to travel — six, nine, or ten years ?' 



" ' Nonsense,' said I. ' Six, nine or ten years ! What can you be think- 

 ing of? It takes the Arabs nearly three years to go to Ujiji, it is true; but 

 I was only sixteen months from Zanzibar to Ujiji, and back to the sea. Is it 

 not true ?' 



" ' Ay, true,' answered they. 



" ' Very well. And I tell you further, that there is not enough money 

 in this world to pay me for stopping in Africa ten, nine, or even six years. 

 I have not come here to live in Africa. I have come here simply to see these 

 rivers and lakes, and after I have seen them to return home.' 



" ' Ah, but you know the big master (Livingstone) said he was only 

 going for two years, and you know that he was gone, altogether, nine years.' 



" ' That is true enough. Nevertheless you know what I did before, and 

 what I am likely to do again, if all goes well.' 



" 'Yes, we remember that you are very hot, and you did drive us until 

 our feet were sore, and we were ready to drop from fatigue. Wallahi I but 

 there never was such a journey from Unyanyembe home I No Arab or white 

 man came from Unyanyembe in so short a time as you did. It was nothing 

 but throw away this thing and that, and go on, go on, all the time. Ay, 

 master, that is true.' 



" ' Well, is it likely, then, when I marched so quick before, that I am 

 likely to be slow now ? Am I much older now than I was then ? Am I less 

 strong ? Do I not know what a journey is now ? When I first started from 

 Zanzibar to Ujiji I allowed the guide to show me the way; but when we 

 came back who showed you the way ? Was it not I, by means of that little 

 compass, which could not lie like the guide ?' 



" 'Ay, true, master; true, every word.' 



