A man who spent so many valuable
years in Africa for the sake of burdening the geographical mind
with theory that has detained him so long in Africa, doing his
utmost to test the value of the main theory which clung to him,
and would cling to him until he proved or disproved it.
This main theory is his belief that in the broad and mighty
Lualaba he has discovered the head waters of the Nile. His grounds
for believing this are of such nature and weight as to compel him
to despise the warning that years are advancing on him, and his
former iron constitution is failing. He believes his speculations
on this point will be verified; he believes he is strong enough
to pursue his explorations until he can return to his country,
with the announcement that the Lualaba is none other than the Nile.
On discovering that the insignificant stream called the Chambezi,
which rises between 10 degrees S. and 12 degrees S., flowed
westerly, and then northerly through several lakes, now under
the names of the Chambezi, then as the Luapula, and then as the
Lualaba, and that it still continued its flow towards the north
for over 7 degrees, Livingstone became firmly of the opinion that
the river whose current he followed was the Egyptian Nile. Failing
at lat. 4 degrees S. to pursue his explorations further without
additional supplies, he determined to return to Ujiji to obtain them.
And now, having obtained them, he intends to return to the point
where he left off work. He means to follow that great river until
it is firmly established what name shall eventually be given the
noble water-way whose course he has followed through so many sick
toilings and difficulties. To all entreaties to come home, to all
the glowing temptations which home and innumerable friends offer,
he returns the determined answer: -
"No; not until my work is ended."
I have often heard our servants discuss our respective merits.
"Your master," say my servants to Livingstone's, "is a good man -
a very good man; he does not beat you, for he has a kind heart;
but ours - oh! he is sharp - hot as fire" - "mkali sana, kana moto."
From being hated and thwarted in every possible way by the Arabs
and half-castes upon first arrival in Ujiji, he has, through
his uniform kindness and mild, pleasant temper, won all hearts.
I observed that universal respect was paid to him. Even
the Mohammedans never passed his house without calling to pay
their compliments, and to say, "The blessing of God rest on
you." Each Sunday morning he gathers his little flock around him,
and reads prayers and a chapter from the Bible, in a natural,
unaffected, and sincere tone; and afterwards delivers a short
address in the Kisawahili language, about the subject read to them,
which is listened to with interest and attention.
