After disbanding my Expedition, I set about preparing another,
according to Dr. Livingstone's request. What the English
Expedition lacked I purchased out of the money advanced by Mr.
Oswell Livingstone. The guns, fifty in number, were also
furnished out of the stores of the English Expedition by him;
and so were the ammunition, the honga cloth, for the tribute
to the Wagogo, and the cloth for provisioning the force.
Mr. Livingstone worked hard in the interests of his father
and assisted me to the utmost of his ability. He delivered
over to me, to be packed up, `Nautical Almanacs' for 1872, 1873,
1874; also a chronometer, which formerly belonged to Dr.
Livingstone. All these things, besides a journal, envelopes,
note-books, writing-paper, medicines, canned fruits and fish,
a little wine, some tea, cutlery and table ware, newspapers,
and private letters and despatches, were packed up in air-tight
tin boxes, as well as 100 lbs. of fine American flour, and some
boxes of soda biscuits.
Until the 19th of May it was understood that Mr. Oswell
Livingstone would take charge of the caravan to his father;
but about this date he changed his mind, and surprised me with
a note stating he had decided not to go to Unyanyembe, for
reasons he thought just and sufficient.
Under these circumstances, my duty was to follow out the
instructions of Dr. Livingstone, in procuring a good and
efficient leader to take charge of the caravan as far as
Unyanyembe.
In a few hours I succeeded in obtaining an Arab highly recommended
from Sheikh Hashid, whom I engaged at an advance of $100. The
young Arab, though not remarkably bright, seemed honest and able,
but I left his further employment after reaching Unyanyembe to Dr.
Livingstone, who would be able to decide then whether he was quite
trustworthy.
The next day I collected the men of the new Livingstone Expedition
together, and as it was dangerous to allow them to wander about the
city, I locked them up in a courtyard, and fed them there, until
every soul, fifty seven in number, answered to their names.
In the meantime, through the American Consul's assistance, I
obtained the services of Johari, the chief dragoman of the
American Consulate, who was charged with the conduct of the party
across the inundated plain of the Kingani, and who was enjoined on
no account to return until the Expedition had started on its march
from the western bank of the Kingani River. Mr. Oswell Livingstone
generously paid him a douceur for the promise of doing
his work thoroughly.
A dhow having been brought to anchor before the American Consulate,
I then addressed my old companions, saying, "You are now about to
return to Unyanyembe, to the `Great Master'. You know him; you
know he is a good man, and has a kind heart. He is different from
me; he will not beat you, as I have done. But you know I have
rewarded you all - how I have made you all rich in cloth and money.
You know how, when you behaved yourselves well, I was your friend.
I gave you plenty to eat and plenty to wear. When you were sick
I looked after you. If I was so good to you, the `Great Master'
will be much more so. He has a pleasant voice, and speaks kind.
When did you ever see him lift his hand against an offender?
When you were wicked, he did not speak to you in anger - he spoke
to you in tones of sorrow. Now, will you promise me that you
will follow him - do what he tells you, obey him in all things,
and not desert him?"
"We will, we will, my master!" they all cried, fervently.
"Then there is one thing more. I want to shake hands with you
all before you go - and we part for ever;" and they all rushed
up at once, and a vigorous shake was interchanged with each man.
"Now, let every man take up his load!"
In a short time I marched them out into the street, and to the
beach; saw them all on board, and the canvas hoisted, and the
dhow speeding westward on her way to Bagamoyo.
I felt strange and lonely, somehow. My dark friends, who had
travelled over so many hundreds of miles, and shared so many
dangers with me, were gone, and I - was left behind. How many
of their friendly faces shall I see again?
On the 29th, the steamer `Africa,' belonging to the German
Consulate, was chartered by a party of five of us, and we
departed from Zanzibar to Seychelles, with the good wishes
of almost all the European residents on the island.
We arrived at Seychelles on the 9th of June, about twelve hours
after the French mail had departed for Aden. As there is only
monthly communication between Mahe (Seychelles) and Aden, we
were compelled to remain on the island of Mahe one month.
My life in Mahe is among the most agreeable things connected with
my return from Africa. I found my companions estimable gentlemen,
and true Christians. Mr. Livingstone exhibited many amiable traits
of character, and proved himself to be a studious, thoughtful,
earnest man. When at last the French steamer came from Mauritius,
there was not one of our party who did not regret leaving the
beautiful island, and the hospitable British officers who were
stationed there. The Civil Commissioner, Mr. Hales Franklyn,
and Dr. Brooks, did their utmost to welcome the wanderer, and
I take this opportunity to acknowledge the many civilities
I personally received from them.
