826 LIFE OF DA VID LIVINGSTONE, LL.D. 



Then it would not pay the Arabs to march all round the lake for slaves alone. 

 Of course the dhows would have to be taken ; but that could be done with 

 the greatest ease. The common people worship the very name of the Eng- 

 lish. It is only the wretched slavers who don't want us here. I believe our 

 very presence has already been the means of doing much good. The Arabs 

 dread the sight of the steamer, and no doubt wish her at the bottom, but 

 long may her keel plough this beautiful sea, and ere long may slavery cease 

 in these parts. I am glad to say we have made enemies of none, and friends 

 of nearly all, and in a very short time we shall have a goodly number of 

 well-disposed natives around us. The news of our being here has spread far 

 and wide, and some of those natives who were with the Mackenzie Mission 

 have travelled a month to get to us ; so I trust this is the beginning of better 

 times for this dark region." 



The following interesting letter, written home at the same time, by Mr. 

 Allan Simpson, who went out with Mr. Young, may appropriately be added 

 to those already inserted : — 



"Lake Nyassa, Central Africa, 21st Feb., 1876. 

 " As opportunity affords, I take the privilege to acquaint you of our 

 success in settling the Free Church Mission on Lake Nyassa, Central Africa. 

 We have received no opposition from the people as yet. From the time we 

 entered the Zambesi until now the natives have treated us with all clue re- 

 spect. All along the banks of the river there exist boundless masses of 

 reeds, and among them the natives build their huts. They are quite covered 

 from sight. This is done purposely, as a cover from their enemies, for they 

 are continually fighting over trifling affairs. Every village has its chief, and 

 they are always coveting one another's property. Each chief asjnres to be 

 greater than his neighbour. They are very much scattered by the slave 

 trade, which is carried on by the Portuguese and the Arabs. The poor 

 natives get no warning when these diabolical scoundrels are to make their 

 ravages. They come like devouring lions, and steal away as many people 

 as they can, and kill those who offer any resistance. Until this nefarious 

 work be put an end to, the elevation of the African races cannot be advanta- 

 geously undertaken. The Zambesi district has been held by the Portuguese 

 for more than three hundred years, and lies a perfect waste, not the smallest 

 part of it in cultivation. 



" Our mission house is built, but it is very uncomfortable in time of 

 rain, as the material we have here cannot keep out the wet. The walls are 

 formed of reeds, and plastered over with mud, and the windows are just open 

 courses to admit the light. All the doors we have formed of palm leaves, 

 with a wooden framework, and the floor is made of mud. The whole of the 

 party stay in this house, and it serves as a dispensary, store-house, dining- 



