I have with me about
twenty men who understand rowing we have plenty of guns, cloth,
and beads; and if we can get a canoe from the Arabs we can
manage the thing easily."
"Oh, we can get a canoe from Sayd bin Majid. This man has been
very kind to me, and if ever there was an Arab gentleman, he is
one."
"Then it is settled, is it, that we go?"
"I am ready, whenever you are."
"I am at your command. Don't you hear my men call you the
`Great Master,' and me the `Little Master?' It would never
do for the `Little Master' to command."
By this time Livingstone was becoming known to me. I defy any
one to be in his society long without thoroughly fathoming him,
for in him there is no guile, and what is apparent on the surface
is the thing that is in him. I simply write down my own opinion
of the man as I have seen him, not as he represents himself; as
I know him to be, not as I have heard of him. I lived with him
from the 10th November, 1871, to the 14th March, 1872; witnessed
his conduct in the camp, and on the march, and my feelings for
him are those of unqualified admiration. The camp is the best
place to discover a man's weaknesses, where, if he is flighty
or wrong-headed, he is sure to develop his hobbies and weak side.
I think it possible, however, that Livingstone, with an
unsuitable companion, might feel annoyance. I know I should do
so very readily, if a man's character was of that oblique
nature that it was an impossibility to travel in his company.
I have seen men, in whose company I felt nothing but a thraldom,
which it was a duty to my own self-respect to cast off as soon
as possible; a feeling of utter incompatibility, with whose
nature mine could never assimilate. But Livingstone was a
character that I venerated, that called forth all my enthusiasm,
that evoked nothing but sincerest admiration.
Dr. Livingstone is about sixty years old, though after he was
restored to health he appeared more like a man who had not passed
his fiftieth year. His hair has a brownish colour yet, but is here
and there streaked with grey lines over the temples; his whiskers
and moustache are very grey. He shaves his chin daily. His eyes,
which are hazel, are remarkably bright; he has a sight keen as a
hawk's. His teeth alone indicate the weakness of age; the hard
fare of Lunda has made havoc in their lines. His form, which
soon assumed a stoutish appearance, is a little over the ordinary
height with the slightest possible bow in the shoulders.
