940 LIFE OF DA VID LIVINGSTONE, LL.D. 



other portions of the little steamer necessitated some of the most tremendous 

 exertion he ever witnessed, which was much aggravated by the intense heat, 

 in some places reaching one hundred and twenty degrees in the shade. The 

 men who thus wrought for four days for six yards of calico each (worth say 

 one shilling and sixpence), finding their own food too, without a grumble, 

 are not to be despised. The work of reconstruction was soon accomplished, 

 and steam was up in a fortnight. 



After examining several beautiful bays and inlets, which did not afford 

 the necessary shelter for the vessel, Mr. Young's party resolved to settle, as 

 we have seen, at Cape Maclear, whither, accordingly, they transported all their 

 stores. Mr. Young then set off on a voyage round the lake, in the course of 

 which he discovered a large extension of its waters, hitherto unknown. 

 Making his way northwards, he came in sight of the grand range which tow- 

 ers over Chiloweela ; in places the mountains run sheer down into the lake, 

 and no bottom would be reached at one hundred fathoms. After weathering 

 a furious gale, which raged for thirteen hours, the Ilala pursued her northward 

 voyage, passing the islands of Likomo and Chusamoolo. 



Mr. Young reports that on his right an iron-bound coast stretched 

 everywhere, excepting when some ravine came down to the shore. In one spot 

 there were evident signs of a dreadful massacre having taken place — the 

 result of a slave-raid. Hardly any wood was to be procured there, in conse- 

 quence of the forests having been cleared, and the only remnant of a large 

 population was now to be found on rocky patches jutting up from the water 

 of the lake, and on singular-looking pile villages. It was found that the poor 

 creatures had conveyed earth in their canoes to these rocks and wherever a 

 crevice afforded a hold, there a little patch of cassava or coi'n appeared, grown 

 with infinite labour 



The platform villages reached by Mr. Young were exceedingly interest- 

 ing. For the most part they are built three or four hundred yards from the 

 shore, and in from eight to twelve feet of water. Poles are driven down in 

 rows, and on the top of them a wooden platform is constructed forming the 

 foundation or floor of the village. To give some idea of the extent of these 

 villages, it may be mentioned that one of them consisted of about one hundred 

 huts. With an abundant supply of fish around them, the islanders were able 

 to hold their own against starvation. 



Shortly after leaving these strange villages, Mr. Young met with some 

 scenery, the grandeur of which he thus describes : — ■" We were now abreast 

 of some mountains that amongst the parallel ranges which virtually make a 

 mountain-basin of Lake Nyassa exceed them all in stupendous grandeur. In 

 no part of the world have I seen anything to equal their peculiar magnificence. 

 With peaks apparently from ten to twelve thousand feet high, they run per- 

 pendicularly down into the lake. The rain was pouring upon them, and 



