We had
never thought that the reptiles would advance so near such an exciting
scene as the vicinity of the ferry presented during the crossing.
Saddened a little by this loss, we resumed our work, and by 7 P.M.
we were all across, excepting Bombay and the only donkey now left,
which was to be brought across in the morning, when the crocodiles
should have deserted the river.
November 3rd. - What contention have we not been a witness to these
last three days! What anxiety have we not suffered ever since our
arrival in Uvinza! The Wavinza are worse than the Wagogo, and their
greed is more insatiable. We got the donkey across with the aid of
a mganga, or medicine man, who spat some chewed leaves of a tree
which grows close to the stream over him. He informed me he could
cross the river at any time, day or night, after rubbing his body
with these chewed leaves, which he believed to be a most potent medicine.
About 10 A.M. appeared from the direction of Ujiji a caravan of
eighty Waguhha, a tribe which occupies a tract of country on the
south-western side of the Lake Tanganika. We asked the news, and
were told a white man had just arrived at Ujiji from Manyuema.
This news startled us all.
"A white man?" we asked.
"Yes, a white man," they replied.
"How is he dressed?"
"Like the master," they answered, referring to me.
"Is he young, or old?"
"He is old. He has white hair on his face, and is sick."
"Where has he come from?"
"From a very far country away beyond Uguhha, called Manyuema."
"Indeed! and is he stopping at Ujiji now?"
"Yes, we saw him about eight days ago."
"Do you think he will stop there until we see him?"
"Sigue" (don't know).
"Was he ever at Ujiji before?"
"Yes, he went away a long time ago."
Hurrah! This is Livingstone! He must be Livingstone! He can be
no other; but still; - he may be some one else - some one from the
West Coast - or perhaps he is Baker! No; Baker has no white hair
on his face. But we must now march quick, lest he hears we are
coming, and runs away.
I addressed my men, and asked them if they were willing to march
to Ujiji without a single halt, and then promised them, if they
acceded to my wishes, two doti each man. All answered in the
affirmative, almost as much rejoiced as I was myself. But I was
madly rejoiced; intensely eager to resolve the burning question,
"Is it Dr. David Livingstone?" God grant me patience, but I do
wish there was a railroad, or, at least, horses in this country.
We set out at once from the banks of the Malagarazi, accompanied
by two guides furnished us by Usenge, the old man of the ferry,
who, now that we had crossed, showed himself more amiably disposed
to us.
