Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-01-01
LITINGSTO.NE.
THE LAST DAYS OF THE GREAT EXPLc RER.


his diary after that which follows and it must have
taxed him to write knocked up quite, and re-
main--recover-scnt TO buy mich goats. We are
on the banks of the Molamo." They arc the
last words that David Livingstone wrote. From
this point we have to trust entirely to the MARIA
tive of the men. They explain the above scnten-
ces as follows: Samane, Amisi, 1lamsani, and
Laede, accompaniedby guild, were sent off to en-
deavor, if possible, to buy some mich goats on
the UPPER part of the Molilamo They could not
however, succeed; it was always the same story
the Mazitu had taken everything. The chief,
nevertheless, sent a substantial present of a kid
and three baskets of ground nuts, and the people
were willing enough to exchange food for beads.
Thinking he could eat some Mapira corn pounded
up with ground nuts, the doctor gave instructions
to two women, M'sozi and M'toweka, to prepare it
for hun, but he was not able to take it when they
brought il to him.
% April.-Men were now dispatched in an op.
pose direction that is to visit the villages on the
right bank of the Molilamo it flows to the Lake
unfortunately they met with no better result, and
returned empty handed. On the 10Th April, Kali
akgapjovu and most of bis people came early to
the village. The chief wished to assist his guests
to the utmost, and stated that as he could not be
sure that sufficient number OF canoes would be
forthcoming unless he took charge of matters him
self, he should accompany the caravan to the cross
ing place, which was about an hours march from
the spot. "Evtrything should be done for his
friends" he said. They were ready to set out.
On Susi's going to the hut. DR.. Livingstone told
him that he as unable to walk to the door to reach
the kitands, and he wished the men to break down
one side of the little house, as the entrance was
too narrow to admit it, in this manner to bring it
to him where he was; this was done, and he was
gently placed upon it, and borne out of the village
Their course was in the direction of the stream,
and they followed it till they came to reach where
the current was uninterrupted by the numerous
little islands which stood partly IN the river and
partly in the flood on the upper waters. kalun-
ganjoyu was seated on knoll, and actively SUI
perintended the embarkation, while DR.. LIVING
stone told his bearers to take him to a tree at a
little distance off, that he might rest in the shade
till most of the men were on the other side. a
good deal OF care was required, for the river, by
no means large one in ordinary times, spread its
waters in all directions, SO that q false step or
q stumble in any unseen hole would have drenched
the invalid and the bed also on which he was car
RED The passage occupied some time, and then
came the difficult task of conveying the Doctor
across for the canoes were not wide enough to
allow the kitanda to be deposited in the bottom OF
either of them. IIithe rto no matter how weak,
Livingstone had always been able to sit in the
various canoes they had used on like occasions,
but now he had no power to do so. Taking his
bed off the kitanda, they laid it in the bottom of
the strongest canoe, and tried to lift him but he
could not pear the pam Oh u manu- DtluS phSstu
under his back Reckoning to Chumsh in faint
voice. he asked him to stoop down over him as far
possible, so that he might clasp his hands togeth
er behind his head. directing him at the ssme time
how to avoid putting any pressure on the lumbar
region Of the back; in this way he was deposited
in the bottom of tho canoe, and quickly ferried
across the Mulilamo by Chowpere, Sasi, Farijala
and Chumark. The same precautions were used
on the other side; the kitanda was brought close
to the canoe, so as TO prevent any unnecessary
pain in disembarking. Susi was now hurried on
ahead to reach Chitambo' syllage, and superintend
the building of another house. For the first mile
OF two they had to carry the Doctor through the
swamps and FLASHES, glad to reach something like
dry plain at last 1t would seem that his strength
was here at its very lowest ebb, Chumah, one of
his bearers on these the last weary miles the great
traveller was destined to accomplish, says that they
were every now and then implored to stop and
Mace their burden on the ground. So great
were the pangs Of his disease during
this day that he could make no attempt to stand,
and if lifted for few yards drowsiness came
over him, which alarmed them all excessively.
This was specially the case at one spot where IA
tree stood in the path Here one Of his attendants
was called to him. and, on STOPPING down, he
found him unable to speak from faintness. They
replaced him on the ktanda and made the best of
their way on the journey. Some distance further
on great thirst oppressed him; he asked them if
they had any water, but unfortunately, for once,
not drop to be procured. Fastening on for fear
of getting to far separated from the party in ad-
vance, to their great comfort they now saw Frai-
jala approaching with some, which Susi had
thoughtfuly sent off from Chitambo's village. |
Still vending their way on, it seemed as if they
would not complete their task, for again at clear
ing the sick man entreatcd them to place him on
the ground, and let him remain where he was.
at this moment some Of the outlying
huts of the village cane in sight, and they tried to
rally him by telling him that he would quickly be in
the house the others had gone on to build, but
they were obliged, as it was, to allow him TO re-
main for hour in the native gardens outside the
Town. On reaching their companions 1t was found |
thai the work was not quite finished, and it be-
came necessary, therefore, to lay him under the
broad caves OF native hut till all things were ready
Chitambos village at this time was almost empty.
When the crops are growing 1t Is the custom 10
erect little temporary houses in the fields, and the
leaving their more substantial huts,
pass the time in watching their crops, which are
scarcely mere safe by day than by night; thus it
was that the men found plenty Of room and shell
ter ready to their hand. Many OF tine people APP
preached the spot where be lay whose praises had
reached them in previous years. and In silent won
der they stood round him resting on their bows.
Slight drzzling showers were falling, and as soon
IS possible his house was ade ready and banked
round with earth Inside it the bed was raised
from the floor by sticks and grass, occupying po
,ition across ard near to the bay shaped erd of
he hut; in the bay itself bales aud boxes were de-
posted one Of the latter doing duty for table,
in which the medicine chest and sundry other
.hings were placed. A fire was lighted outside,
nearly opposite the door, while the boy Majwara
slept Just within to attend to his masters wants in
he night On the 30th April, 1873, Chtambo
came early to pay visit of courtesy, and was
shown into the Doctors presence, but he was
obliged to send him away, telling him to come
again on the morrow, when he hoped to have
more strength to talk to him, and he was not
again disturbed. In the afternoon he asked Susi
o bring his watch to the bedside and explained
o him the position in which to hold his hand that
/ might lie in the palm while he slowly turned
he key. SO the hours stole on till nightfsll The
men silently took to their huts, while others,
whose duty il was 10 keep watch, sat round the
ires all feeling that the end could not be tar OFT
about II =. NJ. Susi, whose hut was close by, was
old to 90 to his master. At the time there were
oud shouts in the distance, and on entering, DIR.
livingstone said, 'Are our men making that
,oise p NO." replied Shs, II can hear from the
ries thai the people are soaring away buffalo
rom their dura fields" \ few minutes afterward
le said slowly, and evidently wandering, is this
he Luapula;' Susi told him they wereiin Chit.
mbo's village. near the Mulilamo. when he was
ilent f,r while. Again, speaking TO Sui, Ia
,uahel this time, he said, 'Sikun gapi kuenda
.uapulai" GLOW many days is it to the Luapala j
'Nazani zikutatu, Bwana," Il think it is three
law, ma ter replied Susi. 4 few seconds after,
!, If ~ great pain he half sighed, half said, Oh
loo, dart and then dozed off ayain. II MAS