EFFECTS OF UVINGSTONE'S TAEKS. 475 



stood at ioo°, under that of the natives, at 98 °. There 

 was much sickness in the town, and no wonder, for part 

 of the water left by the inundation, still formed a large 

 pond in the centre. Even the plains between Linyanti 

 and Sesheke had not yet been freed from the waters of 

 the inundation. They had risen higher than usual, 

 and for a long time, canoes passed from the one place 

 to the other, a distance of upwards of 1 20 miles, in nearly 

 a straight line. We found many patches of stagnant 

 water, which, when disturbed by our passing through 

 them, evolved strong effluvia of sulphuretted hydrogen. 

 At other times these spots exhibit an efflorescence of the 

 nitrate of soda ; they also contain abundance of lime, 

 probably from decaying vegetable matter, and from these 

 may have emanated the malaria which caused the present 

 sickness. I have often remarked this effluvium in sickly 

 spots, and cannot help believing but that it has some 

 connection with fever, though I am quite aware of 

 Dr. Mac Williams's unsuccessful efforts to discover sulphu- 

 retted hydrogen by the most delicate tests, in the Niger 

 expedition. 



I had plenty of employment, for, besides attending to 

 the severer cases, I had perpetual calls on my attention. 

 The town contained, at least, 7000 inhabitants, and 

 every one thought that he might come, and at least 

 look at me. In talking with some of the more intelligent 

 in the evenings, the conversation having turned from 

 inquiries respecting eclipses of the sun and moon to 

 that other world where Jesus reigns, they let me know 

 that my attempts to enlighten them had not been 

 without some small effect. " Many of the children," 

 said they, " talk about the strange things you bring to 

 their ears, but the old men show a little opposition by 

 saying, • Do we know what he is talking about ? ' " 

 Ntlaria and others, complain of treacherous memories, and 

 say, " When we hear words about other things, we hold 

 them fast ; but when we hear you tell much more won- 

 derful things than any we have ever heard before, we don't 

 know how it is, they run away from our hearts." These 

 are the more intelligent of my Makololo friends. On the 

 majority, the teaching produces no appreciable effect ; 

 they assent to the truth with the most perplexing indif- 

 ference, adding, " But we don't know," or, " We do not 

 understand." My medical intercourse with them enabled 



