It is not too much to say
that almost every step of the weary sultry way was in pain, and
I reached Ujiji a mere ruckle of bones.
There I found that some five hundred pounds' sterling worth of
goods which I had ordered from Zanzibar had unaccountably been
entrusted to a drunken half-caste Moslem tailor, who, after
squandering them for sixteen months on the way to Ujiji; finished
up by selling off all that remained for slaves and ivory for himself.
He had "divined" on the Koran and found that I was dead. He had
also written to the Governor of Unyanyembe that he had sent slaves
after me to Manyuema, who returned and reported my decease, and
begged permission to sell off the few goods that his drunken
appetite had spared.
He, however, knew perfectly well, from men who had seen me, that
I was alive, and waiting for the goods and men; but as for morality,
he is evidently an idiot, and there being no law here except that
of the dagger or musket, I had to sit down in great weakness,
destitute of everything save a few barter cloths and beads, which
I had taken the precaution to leave here in case of extreme need.
The near prospect of beggary among Ujijians made me miserable.
I could not despair, because I laughed so much at a friend who,
on reaching the mouth of the Zambezi, said that he was tempted
to despair on breaking the photograph of his wife. We could have
no success after that. Afterward the idea of despair had to me
such a strong smack of the ludicrous that it was out of the
question.
Well, when I had got to about the lowest verge, vague rumors of
an English visitor reached me. I thought of myself as the man
who went down from Jerusalem to Jericho; but neither priest, Levite,
nor Samaritan could possibly pass my way. Yet the good Samaritan
was close at hand, and one of my people rushed up at the top of
his speed, and, in great excitement, gasped out, "An Englishman
coming! I see him!" and off he darted to meet him.
An American flag, the first ever seen in these parts, at the head
of a caravan, told me the nationality of the stranger.
I am as cold and non-demonstrative as we islanders are usually
reputed to be; but your kindness made my frame thrill. It was,
indeed, overwhelming, and I said in my soul, "Let the richest
blessings descend from the Highest on you and yours!"
The news Mr. Stanley had to tell was thrilling. The mighty
political changes on the Continent; the success of the Atlantic
cables; the election of General Grant, and many other topics'
riveted my attention for days together, and had an immediate and
beneficial effect on my health.
