第15章

ThesceneryofthispassremindedusofKebrabasa，althoughitismuchinferior。Abandofthesameblackshiningglazerunsalongtherocksabouttwofeetfromthewater"sedge。Therewasnotabladeofgrassonsomeofthehills，itbeingtheendoftheusualdryseasonsucceedingapreviousseveredrought；yetthehill-sidesweredottedoverwithbeautifulgreentrees。Afewantelopeswereseenontheruggedslopes，wheresomepeopletooappearedlyingdown，takingacupofbeer。TheKarivuanarrowsareaboutthirtymilesinlength。

TheyendatthemountainRoganora。Tworocks，twelveorfifteenfeetabovethewateratthetimewewerethere，mayinfloodbecoveredanddangerous。Ourchiefdangerwasthewind，averyslightripplebeingsufficienttoswampcanoes。

CHAPTERIX。

Thewaterbuck——DisasterinKebrabasarapids——The"MaRobert"

founders——Arrivalofthe"Pioneer"andBishopMackenzie"sparty——

Portugueseslave-trade——Interferenceandliberation。

WearrivedatZumbo，atthemouthoftheLoangwa，onthe1stofNovember。Thewaterbeingscarcelyuptotheknee，ourlandpartywadedthisriverwithease。AbuffalowasshotonanislandoppositePangola"s，theballlodginginthespleen。Itwasfoundtohavebeenwoundedinthesameorganpreviously，foranironbulletwasimbeddedinit，andthewoundentirelyhealed。AgreatdealoftheplantPistiastratioteswasseenfloatingintheriver。Manypeopleinhabittherightbankaboutthispart，yetthegameisveryabundant。

Asweweretakingourbreakfastonthemorningofthe2nd，theMamboKazai，ofwhomweknewnothing，andhismencamewiththeirmusketsandlargepowder-hornstolevyafine，andobtainpaymentforthewoodweusedincooking。ButonourreplyingtohisdemandthatwewereEnglish，"Oh!areyou？"hesaid；"IthoughtyouwereBazungu(Portuguese)。TheyarethepeopleItakepaymentsfrom:"andheapologizedforhismistake。Bazungu，orAzungu，isatermappliedtoallforeignersofalightcolour，andtoArabs；eventotradingslavesifclothed；itprobablymeansforeigners，orvisitors，——fromzunga，tovisitorwander，——andthePortugueseweretheonlyforeignersthesemenhadeverseen。Aswehadnodesiretopassforpeopleofthatnation——quitethecontrary——weusuallymadeabroadlineofdemarcationbysayingthatwewereEnglish，andtheEnglishneitherbought，sold，norheldblackpeopleasslaves，butwishedtoputastoptotheslave-tradealtogether。

Wecalleduponourfriend，Mpende，inpassing。Heprovidedahutforus，withnewmatsspreadonthefloor。Havingtoldhimthatwewerehurryingonbecausetherainswerenear，"Aretheynear？"eagerlyinquiredanoldcounsellor，"andarewetohaveplentyofrainthisyear？"Wecouldonlysaythatitwasabouttheusualtimefortherainstocommence；andthatthereweretheusualindicationsingreatabundanceofcloudsfloatingwestwards，butthatweknewnothingmorethantheydidthemselves。

Thehippopotamiaremorewaryherethanhigherup，asthenativeshuntthemwithguns。Havingshotoneonashallowsandbank，ourmenundertooktobringitovertotheleftbank，inordertocutitupwithgreaterease。Itwasafinefatone，andallrejoicedinthehopeofeatingthefatforbutter，withourharddrycakesofnativemeal。Ourcookwassentovertocutachoicepiecefordinner，butreturnedwiththeastonishingintelligencethatthecarcasswasgone。

Theyhadbeenhoodwinked，andwereverymuchashamedofthemselves。

AnumberofBanyaicametoassistinrollingitashore，andassertedthatitwasallshallowwater。Theyrolleditoverandovertowardstheland，and，findingtheropewehadmadefasttoit，astheysaid，anencumbrance，itwasunloosed。Allwereshoutingandtalkingasloudastheycouldbawl，whensuddenlyourexpectedfeastplumpedintoadeephole，astheBanyaiintendeditshoulddo。Whensinking，alltheMakololojumpedinafterit。Onecaughtfranticallyatthetail；anothergraspedafoot；athirdseizedthehip；"but，bySebituane，itwouldgodowninspiteofallthatwecoulddo。”

Insteadofafathippopotamuswehadonlyaleanfowlfordinner，andweregladenoughtogeteventhat。Thehippopotamus，however，floatedduringthenight，andwasfoundaboutamilebelow。TheBanyaithenassembledonthebank，anddisputedourrighttothebeast:"Itmighthavebeenshotbysomebodyelse。”Ourmentookalittleofitandthenleftit，ratherthancomeintocollisionwiththem。

AfinewaterbuckwasshotintheKakololenarrows，atMountManyerere；itdroppedbesidethecreekwhereitwasfeeding；anenormouscrocodile，thathadbeenwatchingitatthemoment，seizedanddraggeditintothewater，whichwasnotverydeep。Themortallywoundedanimalmadeadesperateplunge，andhaulingthecrocodileseveralyardstoreitselfoutofthehideousjaws。Toescapethehunter，thewaterbuckjumpedintotheriver，andwasswimmingacross，whenanothercrocodilegavechase，butaballsoonsentittothebottom。Thewaterbuckswamalittlelonger，thefineheaddropped，thebodyturnedover，andoneofthecanoesdraggeditashore。BelowKakolole，andstillatthebaseofManyereremountain，severalcoal-

seams，notnoticedonourascent，werenowseentocropoutontherightbankoftheZambesi。

Chitora，ofChicova，treateduswithhisformerhospitality。Ourmenwereallmuchpleasedwithhiskindness，andcertainlydidnotlookuponitasaproofofweakness。TheymeanttoreturnhisfriendlinesswhentheycamethiswayonamaraudingexpeditiontoeatthesheepoftheBanyai，forinsultingthemintheaffairofthehippopotamus；theywouldthensendwordtoChitoranottorunaway，forthey，beinghisfriends，woulddosuchagood-heartedmannoharm。

WeenteredKebrabasarapids，attheeastendofChicova，inthecanoes，andwentdownanumberofmiles，untiltherivernarrowedintoagrooveoffiftyorsixtyyardswide，ofwhichwehavealreadyspokenindescribingtheflood-bedandchanneloflowwater。Thenavigationthenbecamedifficultanddangerous。Afifteenfeetfallofthewaterinourabsencehaddevelopedmanycataracts。Twoofourcanoespassedsafelydownanarrowchannel，which，bifurcating，hadanuglywhirlpoolattherockypartitionbetweenthetwobranches，thedeepholeinthewhirlsattimesopeningandthenshutting。TheDoctor"scanoecamenext，andseemedtobedriftingbroadsideintotheopenvortex，inspiteoftheutmostexertionsofthepaddlers。

Therestwereexpectingtohavetopulltotherescue；themensaying，"Lookwherethesepeoplearegoing!——look，look!"——whenaloudcrashburstonourears。Dr。Kirk"scanoewasdashedonaprojectionoftheperpendicularrocks，byasuddenandmysteriousboilingupoftheriver，whichoccursatirregularintervals。Dr。

Kirkwasseenresistingthesucking-downactionofthewater，whichmusthavebeenfifteenfathomsdeep，andraisinghimselfbyhisarmsontotheledge，whilehissteersman，holdingontothesamerocks，savedthecanoe；butnearlyallitscontentsweresweptawaydownthestream。Dr。Livingstone"scanoe，meanwhile，whichhaddistractedthemen"sattention，wassavedbythecavityinthewhirlpoolfillingupasthefrightfuleddywasreached。AfewofthethingsinDr。Kirk"scanoewereleft；butallthatwasvaluable，includingachronometer，abarometer，and，toourgreatsorrow，hisnotesofthejourneyandbotanicaldrawingsofthefruit-treesoftheinterior，perished。

Wenowlefttheriver，andproceededonfoot，sorrythatwehadnotdonesothedaybefore。Themenwerethoroughlyfrightened，theyhadneverseensuchperilousnavigation。Theywouldcarryalltheloads，ratherthanriskKebrabasaanylonger；butthefatigueofaday"smarchoverthehotrocksandburningsandchangedtheirtunebeforenight；andthentheyregrettedhavingleftthecanoes；theythoughttheyshouldhavedraggedthempastthedangerousplaces，andthenlaunchedthemagain。OneofthetwodonkeysdiedfromexhaustionneartheLuia。Thoughthemeneatzebrasandquaggas，bloodrelationsofthedonkey，theywereshockedattheideaofeatingtheass；"itwouldbelikeeatingmanhimself，becausethedonkeyliveswithman，andishisbosomcompanion。”WemettwolargetradingpartiesofTetteslavesontheirwaytoZumbo，leading，tobesoldforivory，anumberofManganjawomen，withropesroundtheirnecks，andallmadefasttoonelongrope。

Panzo，theheadmanofthevillageeastofKebrabasa，receiveduswithgreatkindness。Aftertheusualsalutationhewentupthehill，and，inaloudvoice，calledacrossthevalleytothewomenofseveralhamletstocooksupperforus。Abouteightintheeveninghereturned，followedbyaprocessionofwomen，bringingthefood。

Therewereeightdishesofnsima，orporridge，sixofdifferentsortsofverygoodwildvegetables，withdishesofbeansandfowls；alldeliciouslywellcooked，andscrupulouslyclean。Thewoodendisheswerenearlyaswhiteasthemealitself:foodalsowasbroughtforourmen。Ripemangoes，whichusuallyindicatethevicinityofthePortuguese，werefoundonthe21stNovember；andwereachedTetteearlyonthe23rd，havingbeenabsentalittleoversixmonths。

ThetwoEnglishsailors，leftinchargeofthesteamer，werewell，hadbehavedwell，andhadenjoyedexcellenthealthallthetimewewereaway。Theirfarmhadbeenafailure。Weleftafewsheep，tobeslaughteredwhentheywishedforfreshmeat，andtwodozenfowls。

Purchasingmore，theysoonhaddoublethenumberofthelatter，andanticipatedagoodsupplyofeggs；buttheyalsoboughttwomonkeys，andTHEYatealltheeggs。Ahippopotamuscameuponenight，andlaidwastetheirvegetablegarden；thesheepbrokeintotheircottonpatch，whenitwasinflower，andateitall，exceptthestems；thenthecrocodilescarriedoffthesheep，andthenativesstolethefowls。Norweretheymoresuccessfulasgun-smiths:aPortuguesetrader，havinganexaltedopinionoftheingenuityofEnglishsailors，showedthemadouble-barrelledrifle，andinquirediftheycouldputontheBROWNING，whichhadrustedoff。"IthinkIknowshow，"saidone，whosefatherwasablacksmith，"it"sveryeasy；youhaveonlytoputthebarrelsinthefire。”Agreatfireofwoodwasmadeonshore，andtheunluckybarrelsputoverit，tosecurethehandsomeriflecolour。ToJack"sutteramazementthebarrelscameasunder。Togetoutofthescrape，hiscompanionandhestuckthepiecestogetherwithresin，andsentittotheowner，withthemessage，"Itwasalltheycoulddoforit，andtheywouldnotchargehimanythingforthejob!"Theyhadalsoinventedanoriginalmodeofsettlingabargain；havingascertainedthemarketpriceofprovisions，theypaidthat，butnomore。Ifthetradersrefusedtoleavetheshiptillthepricewasincreased，achameleon，ofwhichthenativeshaveamortaldread，wasbroughtoutofthecabin；andthemomentthenativessawthecreature，theyatoncesprangoverboard。Thechameleonsettledeverydisputeinatwinkling。

Butbesidestheirgood-humouredintercourse，theyshowedhumanityworthyofEnglishsailors。Aterriblescreamrousedthemuponenight，andtheypushedoffinaboattotherescue。Acrocodilehadcaughtawoman，andwasdraggingheracrossashallowsandbank。Justastheycameuptoher，shegaveafearfulshriek:thehorridreptilehadsnappedoffherlegattheknee。Theytookheronboard，bandagedthelimbaswellastheycould，and，notthinkingofanybetterwayofshowingtheirsympathy，gaveheraglassofrum，andcarriedhertoahutinthevillage。Nextmorningtheyfoundthebandagestornoff，andtheunfortunatecreaturelefttodie。"I

believe，"remarkedRowe，oneofthesailors，"hermasterwasangrywithusforsavingherlife，seeingashowshehadlostherleg。”

TheZambesibeingunusuallylow，weremainedatTettetillitrosealittle，andthenleftonthe3rdofDecemberfortheKongone。Itwashardworktokeepthevesselafloat；indeed，weneverexpectedhertoremainabovewater。Newleaksbrokeouteveryday；theenginepumpgaveway；thebridgebrokedown；threecompartmentsfilledatnight；

exceptthecabinandfrontcompartmentallwasflooded；andinafewdayswewereassuredbyRowethat"shecan"tbeworsethansheis，sir。”HeandHutchinshadspentmuchoftheirtime，whilewewereaway，inpatchingherbottom，puddlingitwithclay，andshoringit，anditwaschieflytopleasethemthatweagainattemptedtomakeuseofher。Wehadlongbeenfullyconvincedthatthesteelplateswerethoroughlyunsuitable。Onthemorningofthe21sttheuncomfortable"Asthmatic"groundedonasandbankandfilled。Shecouldneitherbeemptiednorgotoff。Theriverroseduringthenight，andallthatwasvisibleoftheworn-outcraftnextdaywasaboutsixfeetofhertwomasts。Mostofthepropertywehadonboardwassaved；andwespenttheChristmasof1860encampedontheislandofChimba。CanoesweresentforfromSenna；andwereacheditonthe27th，tobeagainhospitablyentertainedbyourfriend，SenhorFerrao。

WereachedtheKongoneonthe4thofJanuary，1861。AflagstaffandaCustom-househadbeenerectedduringourabsence；ahut，also，forablacklance-corporalandthreeprivates。Bythekindpermissionofthelance-corporal，whocametoseeusassoonashehadgotintohistrousersandshirt，wetookupourquartersintheCustom-house，which，liketheotherbuildings，isasmallsquarefloorlesshutofmangrovestakesoverlaidwithreeds。Thesoldierscomplainedofhunger，theyhadnothingtoeatbutalittlemapira，andweremakingpalmwinetodeadentheircravings。Whilewaitingforaship，wehadleisuretoreadthenewspapersandperiodicalswefoundinthemailwhichwaswaitingourarrivalatTette。Severalwereayearandahalfold。

Ourprovisionsbegantorunshort；andtowardstheendofthemonththerewasnothingleftbutalittlebadbiscuitandafewouncesofsugar。Coffeeandteawereexpended，butscarcelymissed，asoursailorsdiscoveredaprettygoodsubstituteinroastedmapira。FreshmeatwasobtainedinabundancefromourantelopepreservesonthelargeislandmadebyacreekbetweentheKongoneandEastLuabo。

Inthisfocusofdecayingvegetation，nothingissomuchtobedreadedasinactivity。Wehad，therefore，tofindwhatexerciseandamusementwecould，whenhuntingwasnotrequired，inpeeringaboutinthefetidswamps；tohavegonemooningabout，inlistlessidleness，wouldhaveensuredfeverinitsworstform，andprobablywithfatalresults。

Acuriouslittleblenny-fishswarmsinthenumerouscreekswhichintersectthemangrovetopes。Whenalarmed，ithurriesacrossthesurfaceofthewaterinaseriesofleaps。Itmaybeconsideredamphibious，asitlivesasmuchoutofthewaterasinit，anditsmostbusytimeisduringlowwater。Thenitappearsonthesandormud，nearthelittlepoolsleftbytheretiringtide；itraisesitselfonitspectoralfinsintosomethingofastandingattitude，andwithitslargeprojectingeyeskeepsasharplook-outforthelight-colouredfly，onwhichitfeeds。Shouldtheflyalightattoogreatadistanceforevenasecondleap，theblennymovesslowlytowardsitlikeacattoitsprey，orlikeajumpingspider；and，assoonasitgetswithintwoorthreeinchesoftheinsect，byasuddenspringcontrivestopopitsundersetmouthdirectlyovertheunluckyvictim。Heis，moreover，apugnaciouslittlefellow；andratherprolongedfightsmaybeobservedbetweenhimandhisbrethren。One，infleeingfromanapparentdanger，jumpedintoapoolafootsquare，whichtheotherevidentlyregardedashisbyrightofpriordiscovery；inatwinklingtheowner，witheyesflashingfury，andwithdorsalfinbristlingupinrage，dashedattheintrudingfoe。

Thefightwaxedfurious，notempestinateapoteverequalledthestormofthatminiaturesea。Thewarriorswerenowinthewater，andanonoutofit，forthebattleragedonseaandshore。Theystruckhard，theybiteachother；until，becomingexhausted，theyseizedeachotherbythejawsliketwobull-dogs，thenpausedforbreath，andatitagainasfiercelyasbefore，untilthecombatendedbytheprecipitateretreatoftheinvader。

Themuddygroundunderthemangrove-treesiscoveredwithsoldier-

crabs，whichquicklyslinkintotheirholesonanysymptomofdanger。

Whentheebbingtideretires，myriadsofminutecrabsemergefromtheirundergroundquarters，andbegintoworklikesomanybusybees。

Soonmanymilesofthesmoothsandbecomeroughwiththeresultsoftheirlabour。Theyaretoilingfortheirdailybread:aroundbitofmoistsandappearsatthelittlelabourer"smouth，andisquicklybrushedoffbyoneoftheclaws；asecondbitfollowsthefirst；andanother，andstillanothercomeasfastastheycanbelaidaside。

Asthesepelletsaccumulate，thecrabmovessideways，andtheworkcontinues。Thefirstimpressiononereceivesis，thatthelittlecreaturehasswallowedagreatdealofsand，andisgettingridofitasspeedilyaspossible:ahabitheindulgesinofdartingintohisholeatintervals，asifforfreshsupplies，tendstostrengthenthisidea；butthesizeoftheheapsformedinafewsecondsshowsthatthiscannotbethecase，andleadstotheimpressionthat，althoughnotreadilyseen，atthedistanceatwhichhechoosestokeeptheobserver，yetthatpossiblyheraisesthesandtohismouth，wherewhateveranimalculeitmaycontainissiftedoutofit，andtheremainderrejectedinthemannerdescribed。Attimesthelargerspeciesofcrabsperformasortofconcert；andfromeachsubterraneanabodestrangesoundsarise，asif，inimitationofthesongstersofthegroves，forveryjoytheysang!

Wefoundsomenativespoundingthewoodystemsofapoisonousclimbing-plant(Dircapalustris)calledBusungu，orpoison，whichgrowsabundantlyintheswamps。Whenagoodquantitywasbruised，itwastiedupinbundles。Thestreamaboveandbelowwasobstructedwithbushes，andwithasortofrinsingmotionthepoisonwasdiffusedthroughthewater。Manyfishweresoonaffected，swaininshore，anddied，otherswereonlystupefied。Theplanthaspink，pea-shapedblossoms，andsmooth，pointed，glossyleaves，andthebrownbarkiscoveredwithminutewhitepoints。Theknowledgeofitmightproveofusetoashipwreckedpartybyenablingthemtocatchthefish。

Thepoisonissaidtobedeleterioustomanifthewaterisdrunk；

butnotwhenthefishiscooked。TheBusunguisrepulsivetosomeinsects，andissmearedroundtheshootsofthepalm-treestopreventtheantsfromgettingintothepalmwinewhileitisdroppingfromthetopsofthepalm-treesintothelittlepotssuspendedtocollectit。

Wewereinthehabitofwalkingfromourbedsintothesaltwateratsunrise，forabath，tillalargecrocodileappearedatthebathing-

place，andfromthattimeforthwetookourdipinthesea，awayfromtheharbour，aboutmidday。Thisissaidtobeunwholesome，butwedidnotfinditso。Itiscertainlybetternottobatheinthemornings，whentheairiscolderthanthewater——forthen，onreturningtothecoolerair，oneisapttogetachillandfever。Inthemouthoftheriver，manysaw-fisharefound。Rowesawonewhilebathing——caughtitbythetail，andshovedit，"snouton，"ashore。

Thesawisfromafoottoeighteenincheslong。Weneverheardofanyonebeingwoundedbythisfish；nor，thoughitgoeshundredsofmilesuptheriverinfreshwater，couldwelearnthatitwaseatenbythepeople。Thehippopotamidelightedtospendthedayamongthebreakers，andseemedtoenjoythefunasmuchaswedid。

SeveregalesoccurredduringourstayontheCoast，andmanysmallsea-birds(PrionBanksii，Smith)perished:thebeachwasstrewnwiththeirdeadbodies，andsomewerefoundhundredsofyardsinland；manyweresoemaciatedastodryupwithoutputrefying。Wewereplaguedwithmyriadsofmosquitoes，andhadsometouchesoffever；themenwebroughtfrommalariousregionsoftheinteriorsufferedalmostasmuchfromithereaswedidourselves。Thisgivesstrengthtotheideathatthecivilizedwithstandtheevilinfluencesofstrangeclimatesbetterthantheuncivilized。Whennegroesreturntotheirowncountryfromhealthylands，theysufferasseverelyasforeignerseverdo。

Onthe31stofJanuary，1861，ournewship，the"Pioneer，"arrivedfromEngland，andanchoredoutsidethebar；buttheweatherwasstormy，andshedidnotventureintillthe4thofFebruary。

TwoofH。M。cruiserscameatthesametime，bringingBishopMackenzie，andtheOxfordandCambridgeMissiontothetribesoftheShireandLakeNyassa。TheMissionconsistedofsixEnglishmen，andfivecolouredmenfromtheCape。Itwasapuzzletoknowwhattodowithsomanymen。TheestimableBishop，anxioustocommencehisworkwithoutdelay，wishedthe"Pioneer"tocarrytheMissionuptheShire，asfarasChibisa"s，andthereleavethem。Butthereweregraveobjectionstothis。The"Pioneer"wasunderorderstoexploretheRovuma，asthePortugueseGovernmenthadrefusedtoopentheZambesitotheshipsofothernations，andtheirofficialswereveryeffectuallypursuingasystem，which，byabstractingthelabour，wasrenderingthecountryofnovalueeithertoforeignersortothemselves。Shewasalreadytwomonthsbehindhertime，andtherainyseasonwashalfover。Then，ifthepartyweretakentoChibisa"s，theMissionwouldheleftwithoutamedicalattendant，inanunhealthyregion，atthebeginningofthemostsicklyseasonoftheyear，andwithoutmeansofreachingthehealthyhighlands，orofreturningtothesea。Wedreadedthat，intheabsenceofmedicalaidandallknowledgeofthetreatmentoffever，theremightbearepetitionofthesorrowfulfatewhichbefellthesimilarnon-medicalMissionatLinyanti。

Onthe25thofFebruarythe"Pioneer"anchoredinthemouthoftheRovuma，which，unlikemostAfricanrivers，hasamagnificentbayandnobar。Wewooded，andthenwaitedfortheBishoptillthe9thofMarch，whenhecameinthe"Lyra。”Onthe11thweproceededuptheriver，andsawthatithadfallenfourorfivefeetduringourdetention。ThesceneryonthelowerpartoftheRovumaissuperiortothatontheZambesi，forwecanseethehighlandsfromthesea。

Eightmilesfromthemouththemangrovesareleftbehind，andabeautifulrangeofwell-woodedhillsoneachbankbegins。OntheseridgesthetreeresemblingAfricanblackwood，offinergrainthanebony，growsabundantly，andattainsalargesize。Fewpeoplewereseen，andthosewereofArabbreed，anddidnotappeartobeverywelloff。ThecurrentoftheRovumawasnowasstrongasthatoftheZambesi，butthevolumeofwaterisverymuchless。Severalofthecrossingshadbarelywaterenoughforourship，drawingfivefeet，topass。Whenwewerethirtymilesuptheriver，thewaterfellsuddenlyseveninchesintwenty-fourhours。AstheMarchfloodisthelastoftheseason，anditappearedtobeexpended，itwasthoughtprudenttoavoidthechanceofayear"sdetention，bygettingtheshipbacktotheseawithoutdelay。HadtheExpeditionbeenalone，wewouldhavepushedupinboats，orafoot，anddonewhatwecouldtowardstheexplorationoftheriverandupperendofthelake；

but，thoughtheMissionwasaprivateone，andentirelydistinctfromourown，apublicone，theobjectsofbothbeingsimilar，wefeltanxioustoaidourcountrymenintheirnobleenterprise；and，ratherthanfollowourowninclination，decidedtoreturntotheShire，seetheMissionpartysettledsafely，andafterwardsexploreLakeNyassaandtheRovuma，fromtheLakedownwards。Feverbrokeoutonboardthe"Pioneer，"atthemouthoftheRovuma，aswethoughtfromourhavinganchoredclosetoacreekcomingoutofthemangroves；anditremainedinheruntilwecompletelyisolatedtheengine-roomfromtherestoftheship。Thecoal-dustrottingsentoutstrongeffluvia，andkeptupthediseaseformorethanatwelvemonth。

Soonafterwestartedthefeverputthe"Pioneer"almostentirelyintothehandsoftheoriginalZambesiExpedition，andnotlongafterwardstheleaderhadtonavigatetheoceanaswellastheriver。

Thehabitoffindingthegeographicalpositionsonlandrendersitaneasytasktosteerasteamerwithonlythreeorfoursailsatsea；

where，ifonedoesnotrunashore，noonefollowstofindoutanerror，andwhereacurrentaffordsareadyexcuseforeveryblunder。

TouchingatMohilla，oneoftheComoroIslands，onourreturn，wefoundamixedraceofArabs，Africans，andtheirconquerors，thenativesofMadagascar。BeingMahometans，theyhavemosquesandschools，inwhichwewerepleasedtoseegirlsaswellasboystaughttoreadtheKoran。Theteachersaidhewaspaidbythejob，andreceivedtendollarsforteachingeachchildtoread。Thecleveroneslearninsixmonths；butthedullonestakeacoupleofyears。

WenextwentovertoJohannaforourfriends；and，afterasojournofafewdaysatthebeautifulComoroIslands，wesailedfortheKongonemouthoftheZambesiwithBishopMackenzieandhisparty。Wereachedthecoastinsevendays，andpasseduptheZambesitotheShire。

The"Pioneer，"constructedundertheskilfulsupervisionofAdmiralSirBaldwinWalkerandthelateAdmiralWashington，warm-heartedandhighlyesteemedfriendsoftheExpedition，wasaverysuperiorvessel，andwellsuitedforourworkineveryrespect，exceptinherdraughtofwater。FivefeetwerefoundtobetoomuchforthenavigationoftheupperpartoftheShire。Designedtodrawthreefeetonly，theweightnecessarytoimpartextrastrength，andfitherfortheocean，broughtherdowntwofeetmore，andcausedusagreatdealofhardandvexatiouswork，inlayingoutanchors，andtoilingatthecapstantogetheroffsandbanks。Weshouldnothavemindedthismuch，butfortheheavylossoftimewhichmighthavebeenmoreprofitably，andinfinitelymorepleasantly，spentinintercoursewiththepeople，exploringnewregions，andotherwisecarryingouttheobjectsoftheExpedition。Oncewewereafortnightonabankofsoftyieldingsand，havingonlytwoorthreeincheslesswaterthantheshipdrew；thisdelaywasoccasionedbytheanchorscominghome，andthecurrentswingingtheshipbroadsideonthebank，which，immediatelyonourtouching，alwaysformedbehindus。WedidnotliketoleavetheshipshortofChibisa"s，lestthecrewshouldsufferfromthemalariaofthelowlandaround；anditwouldhavebeendifficulttohavegottheMissiongoodscarriedup。Weweredailyvisitedbycrowdsofnatives，whobroughtusabundanceofprovisionsfarbeyondourabilitytoconsume。Inhaulingthe"Pioneer"overtheshallowplaces，theBishop，withHoraceWallerandMr。Scudamore，wereeverreadyandanxioustolendahand，andworkedashardasanyonboard。Hadourfinelittleshipdrawnbutthreefeet，shecouldhaverunupanddowntheriveratanytimeoftheyearwiththegreatestease，butasitwas，havingoncepassedupoverafewshallowbanks，itwasimpossibletotakeherdownagainuntiltheriverroseinDecember。Shecouldgoupoverabank，butnotcomedownoverit，asaheapofsandalwaysformedinstantlyastern，whilethecurrentwasheditawayfromunderherbows。

OnatlastreachingChibisa"s，weheardthattherewaswarintheManganjacountry，andtheslave-tradewasgoingonbriskly。A

deputationfromachiefnearMountZombahadjustpassedonitswaytoChibisa，whowasinadistantvillage，toimplorehimtocomehimself，orsendmedicine，todriveofftheWaiao，Waiau，orAjawa，whosemaraudingpartiesweredesolatingtheland。AlargegangofrecentlyenslavedManganjacrossedtheriver，ontheirwaytoTette，afewdaysbeforewegottheshipup。Chibisa"sdeputywascivil，andreadilygaveuspermissiontohireasmanymentocarrytheBishop"sgoodsuptothehillsaswerewillingtogo。Withasufficientnumber，therefore，westartedforthehighlandsonthe15thofJuly，toshowtheBishopthecountry，which，fromitsaltitudeandcoolness，wasmostsuitableforastation。Ourfirstday"smarchwasalongandfatiguingone。Thefewhamletswepassedwerepoor，andhadnofoodforourmen，andwewereobligedtogoontill4p。m。，whenweenteredthesmallvillageofChipindu。Theinhabitantscomplainedofhunger，andsaidtheyhadnofoodtosell，andnohutforustosleepin；but，ifwewouldonlygoonalittlefurther，weshouldcometoavillagewheretheyhadplentytoeat；

butwehadtravelledfarenough，anddeterminedtoremainwherewewere。Beforesunsetasmuchfoodwasbroughtaswecaredtopurchase，and，asitthreatenedtorain，hutswereprovidedforthewholeparty。

NextforenoonwehaltedatthevillageofouroldfriendMbame，toobtainnewcarriers，becauseChibisa"smen，neverbeforehavingbeenhired，andnothavingyetlearnedtotrustus，didnotchoosetogofurther。Afterrestingalittle，MbametoldusthataslavepartyonitswaytoTettewouldpresentlypassthroughhisvillage。"Shallweinterfere？"weinquiredofeachother。WerememberedthatallourvaluableprivatebaggagewasinTette，which，ifwefreedtheslaves，might，togetherwithsomeGovernmentproperty，bedestroyedinretaliation；butthissystemofslave-huntersdogginguswherepreviouslytheydurstnotventure，and，onpretenceofbeing"ourchildren，"settingonetribeagainstanother，tofurnishthemselveswithslaves，wouldsoinevitablythwartalltheefforts，forwhichwehadthesanctionofthePortugueseGovernment，thatweresolvedtorunallrisks，andputastop，ifpossible，totheslave-trade，whichhadnowfollowedonthefootstepsofourdiscoveries。AfewminutesafterMbamehadspokentous，theslaveparty，alonglineofmanacledmen，women，andchildren，camewendingtheirwayroundthehillandintothevalley，onthesideofwhichthevillagestood。

Theblackdrivers，armedwithmuskets，andbedeckedwithvariousarticlesoffinery，marchedjauntilyinthefront，middle，andrearoftheline；someofthemblowingexultantnotesoutoflongtinhorns。Theyseemedtofeelthattheyweredoingaverynoblething，andmightproudlymarchwithanairoftriumph。ButtheinstantthefellowscaughtaglimpseoftheEnglish，theydartedofflikemadintotheforest；sofast，indeed，thatwecaughtbutaglimpseoftheirredcapsandthesolesoftheirfeet。Thechiefofthepartyaloneremained；andhe，frombeinginfront，hadhishandtightlygraspedbyaMakololo!Heprovedtobeawell-knownslaveofthelateCommandantatTette，andforsometimeourownattendantwhilethere。Onaskinghimhowheobtainedthesecaptives，herepliedhehadboughtthem；butonourinquiringofthepeoplethemselves，all，savefour，saidtheyhadbeencapturedinwar。Whilethisinquirywasgoingon，heboltedtoo。Thecaptiveskneltdown，and，intheirwayofexpressingthanks，clappedtheirhandswithgreatenergy。

Theywerethusleftentirelyonourhands，andknivesweresoonbusyatworkcuttingthewomenandchildrenloose。Itwasmoredifficulttocutthemenadrift，aseachhadhisneckintheforkofastoutstick，sixorsevenfeetlong，andwaskeptinbyanironrodwhichwasrivetedatbothendsacrossthethroat。Withasaw，luckilyintheBishop"sbaggage，onebyonethemenweresawnoutintofreedom。

Thewomen，onbeingtoldtotakethemealtheywerecarryingandcookbreakfastforthemselvesandthechildren，seemedtoconsiderthenewstoogoodtobetrue；butafteralittlecoaxingwentatitwithalacrity，andmadeacapitalfirebywhichtoboiltheirpotswiththeslavesticksandbonds，theiroldacquaintancesthroughmanyasadnightandwearyday。Manyweremerechildrenaboutfiveyearsofageandunder。Onelittleboy，withthesimplicityofchildhood，saidtoourmen，"Theotherstiedandstarvedus，youcuttheropesandtellustoeat；whatsortofpeopleareyou？——Wheredidyoucomefrom？"Twoofthewomenhadbeenshotthedaybeforeforattemptingtountiethethongs。This，therestweretold，wastopreventthemfromattemptingtoescape。Onewomanhadherinfant"sbrainsknockedout，becauseshecouldnotcarryherloadandit。Andamanwasdispatchedwithanaxe，becausehehadbrokendownwithfatigue。

Self-interestwouldhavesetawatchoverthewholeratherthancommitmurder；butinthistrafficweinvariablyfindself-interestovercomebycontemptofhumanlifeandbybloodthirstiness。

TheBishopwasnotpresentatthisscene，havinggonetobatheinalittlestreambelowthevillage；butonhisreturnhewarmlyapprovedofwhathadbeendone；heatfirsthaddoubts，butnowfeltthat，hadhebeenpresent，hewouldhavejoinedusinthegoodwork。Logicisoutofplacewhenthequestionwithatrue-heartedmanis，whetherhisbrothermanistobesavedornot。Eighty-four，chieflywomenandchildren，wereliberated；andonbeingtoldthattheywerenowfree，andmightgowheretheypleased，orremainwithus，theyallchosetostay；andtheBishopwiselyattachedthemtohisMission，tobeeducatedasmembersofaChristianfamily。InthiswayagreatdifficultyinthecommencementofaMissionwasovercome。Yearsareusuallyrequiredbeforeconfidenceissofarinstilledintothenatives"mindastoinducethem，youngorold，tosubmittotheguidanceofstrangersprofessingtobeactuatedbymotivesthereverseofworldlywisdom，andinculcatingcustomsstrangeandunknowntothemandtheirfathers。

WeproceedednextmorningtoSoche"swithourliberatedparty，themencheerfullycarryingtheBishop"sgoods。Aswehadbegun，itwasofnousetodothingsbyhalves，soeightotherswerefreedinahamletonourpath；butapartyoftraders，withnearlyahundredslaves，fledfromSoche"sonhearingofourproceedings。Dr。KirkandfourMakololofollowedthemwithgreatenergy，buttheymadeclearofftoTette。SixmorecaptiveswereliberatedatMongazi"s，andtwoslave-tradersdetainedforthenight，topreventthemfromcarryinginformationtoalargepartystillinfront。OftheirownaccordtheyvolunteeredtheinformationthattheGovernor"sservantshadchargeofthenextparty；butwedidnotchoosetobeledbythem，thoughtheyofferedtoguideustohisExcellency"sownagents。

TwooftheBishop"sblackmenfromtheCape，havingoncebeenslaves，werenowzealousemancipators，andvolunteeredtoguardtheprisonersduringthenight。Soanxiouswereourheroestokeepthemsafe，thatinsteadofrelievingeachother，bykeepingwatchandwatch，bothkeptwatchtogether，tilltowardsfouro"clockinthemorning，whensleepstolegentlyoverthemboth；andthewakefulprisoners，seizingtheopportunity，escaped:oneoftheguards，perceivingtheloss，rushedoutofthehut，shouting，"Theyaregone，theprisonersareoff，andtheyhavetakenmyriflewiththem，andthewomentoo!

Fire!everybodyfire!"Therifleandthewomen，however，wereallsafeenough，theslave-tradersbeingonlytoogladtoescapealone。

Fiftymoreslaveswerefreednextdayinanothervillage；and，thewholepartybeingstark-naked，clothenoughwaslefttoclothethem，betterprobablythantheyhadeverbeenclothedbefore。Theheadofthisgang，whomweknewastheagentofoneoftheprincipalmerchantsofTette，saidthattheyhadthelicenseoftheGovernorforalltheydid。Thiswewerefullyawareofwithouthisstatingit。ItisquiteimpossibleforanyenterprisetobeundertakentherewithouttheGovernor"sknowledgeandconnivance。