We believed that, if it were possible to get a steamer upon the Lake, we could by her means put a check on the slavers from the East Coast;
And aid more effectually still in the suppression of the slave-trade, by introducing, by way of the Rovuma, a lawful traffic in ivory.We therefore unscrewed the "Lady Nyassa" at a rivulet about five hundred yards below the first cataract, and began to make a road over the thirty-five or forty miles of land portage, by which to carry her up piecemeal.After mature consideration, we could not imagine a more noble work of benevolence, than thus to introduce light and liberty into a quarter of this fair earth, which human lust has converted into the nearest possible resemblance of what we conceive the infernal regions to be--and we sacrificed much of our private resources as an offering for the promotion of so good a cause.
The chief part of the labour of road-making consisted in cutting down trees and removing stones.The country being covered with open forest, a small tree had to be cut about every fifty or sixty yards.
The land near the river was so very much intersected by ravines, that search had to be made, a mile from its banks, for more level ground.
Experienced Hottentot drivers would have taken Cape wagons without any other trouble than that of occasionally cutting down a tree.No tsetse infested this district, and the cattle brought from Johanna flourished on the abundant pasture.The first half-mile of road led up, by a gradual slope, to an altitude of two hundred feet above the ship, and a sensible difference of climate was felt even there.For the remainder of the distance the height increased,--till, at the uppermost cataract, we were more than 1200 feet above the sea.The country here, having recovered from the effects of the drought, was bright with young green woodland, and mountains of the same refreshing hue.But the absence of the crowds, which had attended us as we carried up the boat, when the women followed us for miles with fine meal, vegetables, and fat fowls for sale, and the boys were ever ready for a little job--and the oppressive stillness bore heavily on our spirits.The Portuguese of Tette had very effectually removed our labourers.Not an ounce of fresh provisions could be obtained, except what could be shot, and even the food for our native crew had to be brought one hundred and fifty miles from the Zambesi.
The diet of salt provisions and preserved meats without vegetables, with the depression of spirits caused by seeing how effectually a few wretched convicts, aided by the connivance of officials, of whom better might have been hoped, could counteract our best efforts, and turn intended good to certain evil, brought on attacks of dysentery, which went the round of the Expedition--and, Dr. Kirk and Charles Livingstone having suffered most severely, it was deemed advisable that they should go home.This measure was necessary, though much to the regret of all--for having done so much, they were naturally anxious to be present, when, by the establishing ourselves on the Lake, all our efforts should be crowned with success.After it had been decided that these two officers, and all the whites who could be spared, should be sent down to the sea for a passage to England, Dr.
Livingstone was seized in May with a severe attack of dysentery, which continued for a month, and reduced him to a shadow.Dr. Kirk kindly remained in attendance till the worst was passed.The parting took place on the 19th of May.
After a few miles of road were completed, and the oxen broken in, we resolved to try and render ourselves independent of the south for fresh provisions, by going in a boat up the Shire, above the Cataracts, to the tribes at the foot of Lake Nyassa, who were still untouched by the Ajawa invasion.In furtherance of this plan Dr.
Livingstone and Mr. Rae determined to walk up to examine, and, if need be, mend the boat which had been left two seasons previously hung up to the limb of a large shady tree, before attempting to carry another past the Cataracts.The "Pioneer," which was to be left in charge of our active and most trustworthy gunner, Mr. Edward D.
Young, R.N., was thoroughly roofed over with euphorbia branches and grass, so as completely to protect her decks from the sun:she also received daily a due amount of man-of-war scrubbing and washing; and, besides having everything put in shipshape fashion, was every evening swung out into the middle of the river, for the sake of the greater amount of air which circulated there.In addition to their daily routine work of the ship, the three stokers, one sailor, and one carpenter--now our complement--were encouraged to hunt for guinea-fowl, which in June, when the water inland is dried up, come in large flocks to the river's banks, and roost on the trees at night.
Everything that can be done to keep mind and body employed tends to prevent fever.
