950 LIFE OF DAVID LIVINGSTONE, LL.D. 



reminding one of the pinning on of decorations to the breasts of gallant 

 men. 



" The sultan has given me letters of recommendation to kings Mtesa and 

 Rumanika, also a general one for the way. The substance of them is, that I 

 am ' a friend of his, and he hopes every one will treat me as they would him 

 (I cannot help thinking that may be a questionable advantage), and for so 

 doing he will pray that God may bles3 them.' Dr. Kirk has also given a 

 letter to be used near the coast, where his name is known ; I am indebted to 

 him for much valuable advice, and he has given great assistance by, in some 

 measure, identifying himself with the expedition. To Mr. Holmwood the 

 Society are indebted for a most painstaking piece of work, the mapping out of 

 the Kingani River and its neighbourhood. He has also made us a present 

 of a quantity of metal sheathing and nails, which may ultimately prove very 

 useful, though at present I cannot afford means to transport it. Bishop Steere 

 kindly presented us with some of his printed handbooks, and wished us God 

 speed. Dr. Robb has been unceasing in his attentions, and we are deeply 

 indebted to him. Mr Archibald Smith, our agent, has helped us greatly.' 



Having crossed from Zanzibar to the continent, the expedition attempt- 

 ed, in the first instance, to reach the interior by the River Wami; this proved 

 impracticable, as also the attempt to ascend the River Kingani. Ultimately, 

 therefore, the land route was adopted. The course pursued, though begin- 

 ning at Bagamoyo, the place where Speke and Grant, Stanley, and Came- 

 ron started, very soon took a more northerly direction, and struck the Wami, 

 which was crossed ; then the route of Mr. Roger Price, of the London Mission- 

 ary Society, was taken, and followed to Mpwapwa. The expedition travelled 

 in four divisions ; the first under Mr. T. O'Neill and Mr. G. J. Clark ; the 

 second, under the Rev. C. T. Wilson and Mr. W. Robertson ; the third, under 

 Mr. Mackay and Mr. H. Hartnell ; and the fourth, under Lieut. Smith and 

 Dr. J. Smith. 



The following extract from a despatch by Dr. Kirk to the Earl of Derby, 

 points out the impossibility of ascending the Wami : — " Soon after arrival 

 Lieutenant Shergold Smith, formerly of the Royal Navy, in charge of the 

 mission, proposed making use of one or other of these rivers as a means 

 of getting beyond the coast region to the foot of the Usagara mountains, 

 ascended the river Wami, which had been spoken of in such high terms by 

 Mr. Stanley as navigable, and leading far inland, but abandoned the attempt 

 after gaining about thirty miles, a distance that on foot we could have done 

 in less than three days, but which, owing to the windings, the sudden bends, 

 and the force of the current, occupied more than twice that time to accomplish 

 in the steam-launch. 



" In addition, the channel was found encumbered with snags, and the 

 natives said that shortly the river would fall, so that in many places it can 



