i6o Seven Years in Central Africa. [Dec. 
in long delicate festoons from the branches at every opening in 
the forest. Camped in the afternoon at Old Katema (New 
Katema is at Dilolo.) The chief happened to be at this town, and 
I sent him the usual present. 
A FRIEND OF LIVINGSTONE'S. 
December 22nd. — This morning Katema sent me a present of a 
woman slave with infant in arms — a pitiful sight. The chiefs 
messengers said that food was to follow, but that Katema could 
not give to a white man a present of food only. I asked them as 
a favour to take the woman back ; and if they would only send 
her to her own village and among her own people, and never 
think of giving her away again to strangers, I should be more 
than pleased. The chief, however, did not quite understand my 
message, and thought I had refused the slave because she was 
full-grown, and so he sent back word that to-morrow he would 
send me a young boy or girl. Though suffering a good deal 
from my finger, which was ulcerating, I determined to go to 
his village and explain the matter. 
I found he was a good-looking man. He knew Livingstone, 
and was sorry to hear of his death ; was quite satisfied with my 
explanation about the slave. We parted in the evening the best 
of friends. I am sorry I cannot spend more time with this 
Katema ; but I am hastening to Nana Kandundu, where I hope 
to get a little rest, and where many of my men, I hear, intend to 
leave me. 
HELPED BY ARMY ANTS. 
December 2'^rd. — The carriers seem to have got over their fright 
at my finger being injured, when many of them said it was their 
fault. Now they have begun clamouring again for more rations. 
A band this morning have gone through the camp, threatening to 
belabour with leather thongs the first to lift his load. I left the 
matter entirely in the Master's hands, being assured that if 
Katema was the place to which He had sent me, He would not 
allow me to go further. So I withdrew from the camp, never 
dreaming that a march could be made to-day. While sitting on a 
log I suddenly saw a general move among the men; they came 
out, one after another, and went off, scarcely saying a word. The 
truth was, the camp was literally alive with " army ants," which 
