The First Half-Mile Of Road Led
Up, By A Gradual Slope, To An Altitude Of Two Hundred Feet Above The
Ship, And A Sensible Difference Of Climate Was Felt Even There.
For
the remainder of the distance the height increased, - till, at the
uppermost cataract, we were more than 1200 feet above the sea.
The
country here, having recovered from the effects of the drought, was
bright with young green woodland, and mountains of the same
refreshing hue. But the absence of the crowds, which had attended us
as we carried up the boat, when the women followed us for miles with
fine meal, vegetables, and fat fowls for sale, and the boys were ever
ready for a little job - and the oppressive stillness bore heavily on
our spirits. The Portuguese of Tette had very effectually removed
our labourers. Not an ounce of fresh provisions could be obtained,
except what could be shot, and even the food for our native crew had
to be brought one hundred and fifty miles from the Zambesi.
The diet of salt provisions and preserved meats without vegetables,
with the depression of spirits caused by seeing how effectually a few
wretched convicts, aided by the connivance of officials, of whom
better might have been hoped, could counteract our best efforts, and
turn intended good to certain evil, brought on attacks of dysentery,
which went the round of the Expedition - and, Dr. Kirk and Charles
Livingstone having suffered most severely, it was deemed advisable
that they should go home.
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