Buffaloes and zebras by the hundred
grazed on the open spaces.
At one time their procession was interrupted
by three buffaloes who came dashing through their ranks. Livingstone's ox
set off at a furious gallop. Looking back, he saw one of his men
flung up into the air by a toss from one of the beasts, who had carried him
on his horns for twenty yards before giving the final pitch.
The fellow came down flat on his face, but the skin was not pierced,
and no bone was broken. His comrades gave him a brisk shampooing,
and in a week he was as well as ever.
The border country passed, the natives grew more friendly, and gladly supplied
all the wants of the travelers. About the middle of December,
when their journey was half over, they came upon the first traces of Europeans
- a deserted town, a ruined church, and a broken bell
inscribed with a cross and the letters I. H. S., but bearing no date.
A few days after they met a man wearing a hat and jacket.
He had come from the Portuguese settlement of Tete, far down the river.
From him they learned that a war was going on below,
between the Portuguese and the natives. A chief, named Mpende,
showed signs of hostility. Livingstone's men, who had become worn and ragged
by their long journey, rejoiced at the prospect of a fight.
"Now," said they, "we shall get corn and clothes in plenty.
You have seen us with elephants, but you don't know what we can do with men."
After a while two old men made their appearance, to find out
who the strangers were.
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