626 LIFE OF DAVID LIVINGSTONE, LL.D. 



double. In 1871, and in 1872, I employed Wanyanrnezi and Wanguana at 

 the rate of 2dol. 50c. per month each man ; the same class of persons now 

 obtain 5dol. per month, and with some people I have had great difficulty in 

 procuring them at this pay, for they hold out bravely for a week for 7dol. 

 and 8dol. per month. 



" It has grown to be a custom now for servants, porters, and escort, to 

 receive at least four months' pay in advance. Before starting from Bagamoyo 

 I expect that my expedition will number four hundred men. Each of these 

 men, previous to his marching, will have received £4 pay on account, either 

 in money or in cloth. The most prudent ask that their advance be given 

 them in cloth. Those who take money require three days to spend it in de- 

 bauchery and rioting, or in purchasing wives ; while a few of the staid mar- 

 ried men who have children will provide stores for their families. On the 

 morning of the fourth day, when the bugle sounds for the march, I need not 

 be surprised if I find it a difficult task to muster my people together, or if 

 hours will be employed in hunting up the laggards and driving them on to 

 our first camp, when very probably I shall learn that at least fifteen or so 

 have absented themselves altogether. This, of course, will be annoying ; but 

 it is well that I know it is a probable thing, and that I am in a measure pre- 

 pared for such desertion. On the second day of the march I shall probably 

 find myself minus ten more, which will also be vexatious, and exceedingly try- 

 ing to the stock of patience I have in reserve for the emergency. For several 

 days longer there will be constant desertions by twos and threes, and fours ; 

 but the losses will have to be borne and remedied somehow. Finally, disease 

 will break out, the result of a mad three days' debauchery, to be succeeded 

 by small-pox, ulcerous sores, dysentery, fever, and other maladies. And about 

 this time, too, the white men will begin to suffer strange languor of body and 

 feverish pulse, and these, despite the rapidly-diminishing force of carriers, 

 will have to be transported on the shoulders of men or on the backs of such 

 asses as may be strong enough for that work. The future of the expedition 

 depends upon the way in which we shall be able to weather this stormy period ; 

 for the outlook about this time will be sad indeed. The magnificent cara- 

 van which started from the sea four hundred strong, armed to the teeth, com- 

 fortable, well laden, and rich, each man vigorous, healthy, well chosen, his 

 skin shining like brown satin, eyes all aglow with pride and excitement, 

 strong in his Snider rifle and twenty rounds of cartridges, his axe, and knives — ■ 

 twelve stately, tall guides, tricked out in crimson jobo and long plumes, head- 

 ing the procession, which is nearly a mile long, while brazen trumpets blow 

 and blare through the forest, awakening the deep woods with the sounds, and 

 animating every soul to the highest pitch of hope — this was a scene worth 

 seeing. But three weeks from that how different will be the greatly diminished 

 caravan ; scores will have deserted, the strong will have become weak, the 



