766 LIFE OF DA VID LIVINGSTONE, LL.D. 



of gestures and most murderous demonstrations. For three hours I sat in the 

 stern sheets of the boat, observing all these preliminaries of a tragedy which 

 I felt sure was about to be enacted, silent, except now and then communicat- 

 ing a suggestion to the interpreters, and seemingly an unconcerned spectator. 

 But I was not so. I only wished to impose on the savages, and I was busily 

 planning a resistance and an escape. As we were in their power, it only 

 remained for us to be quiet until they proceeded to acts of violence, and in 

 the meantime endeavour to purchase peace, or at least to postpone the strife. 

 Conformably with these ideas the interpreters were instructed to offer cloths 

 and beads to the chief Shekka, who appeared to have despotic authority over 

 all, judging from the reverential and ready obedience paid to his commands. 

 Shekka demanded four cloths and ten necklaces of large beads as his price 

 for permitting us to depart in peace. They were paid to him. Having secured 

 them, he instantly ordered his people to seize our oars, which was done before 

 we understood what they were about. This was the second time that Shekka 

 had acted cunningly and treacherously, and a loud jeering laugh from his 

 people showed him how much they appreciated his wit. 



"After seizing the oars, Shekka and his people slowly went to their vil- 

 lage for their noon-day meal, and to discuss what other measures should be 

 adopted towards the strangers. A woman came near us, and told us to eat 

 honey with Shekka, that being the only way to save our lives, as he and his 

 people had determined to kill us and take everything we had. The coxswain 

 of the boat was sent to proffer terms of brotherhood to the king, but he was 

 told to be at ease, no harm was intended us, and on the next day Shekka 

 promised he and his people should eat honey, and make lasting and sure 

 brotherhood with us. The coxswain returned to us with triumphant looks, 

 and speedily communicated his own assurance to the crew. But I checked 

 this over-confidence and trustfulness in such cunning and treacherous people, 

 telling them to look to nothing save our own wit, and by no means to leave 

 the neighbourhood of the boat, for Shekka's next act would be to seize the 

 guns in the same manner as he had the oars. Immediately the crew saw the 

 truth of this suggestion, and I had no reason to complain that they paid no 

 heed to my words. 



" At three p.m. the natives began to assemble on the ridge of a low hill 

 about one hundred yards from the boat; and presently drums were heard 

 beating the call to war, until within half an hour about five hundred warriors 

 had gathered around Shekka, who was sitting down addressing his people. 

 When he had done, about fifty rushed down, took our drum, and kindly told 

 us to get our guns ready for fight, as they were coming presently to cut our 

 throats. As soon as I saw the savages had arrived in the presence of Shekka 

 with our drum, I shouted to my men to push the boat into the water. With 

 one desperate effort my crew of eleven hands lifted and shot it far into the 



