Elephant Haunts: being a Sportsman's narrative of the search for Doctor Livingstone, with scenes of elephant, buffalo, and hippopotamus hunting

Chapter I

The Livingstone Search Expedition — Difference of Opinion as to Livingstone's Fate — Extracts from Dr. Kirk's Letters — Inconsistency of Moosa's Story — Boats for the Expedition — My First Adventure — Departure from Southampton — Purchase of a Piano for the Voyage — A Newspaper on Board — Anchor in Table Bay — Heavy Gale — The Expedition ridiculed at Cape Town — Arrival at Simon's Town — A Series of Gales — Off the Bar of the Kongoni River — Natives engaged to take the Boats up the Zambesi — Mazura — Shupanga — Mrs. Livingstone's Grave — Senna — Tette — The Nyanza Pangono, or Little Lake — Skianda — Bad Snakes 1

Chapter II

Intercourse with Natives — Trap for Fish — Good Feeling of the Natives to the English — Confluence of the Ruo River — Bishop Mackenzie's Grave — In the Elephant Country — Visit of Mankokwe — The Makololo and the Manganja — Chibisa — Graves of Dr. Dickinson and Mr. Scudamore — The Mother of Chinwallah — Bargain with Moloka and the Makololo — Matiti — Mr. Thornton's Grave — The Lower Cataracts — Order of our March — Buffalo Hunt — Buckley's Fall into an Elephant Pit — Hippopotami enjoying themselves — On the track of Natives — Pamafunda VI CONTENTS.

Chapter III

Chief of the Ajawah Tribe — Danger from the Mavite— Buckley sent back to Chibisa — Mr. Young's Directions to him — A Stroll in the Forest— Tracking a Wounded Buck— Stalking the Buffalo— The Bard's Praises of the Buffalo Hunter — Natives sleeping round their Fires— The Look-out — Moloka a Thorough Sportsman — Disaffection of the Makololos— My Advice to Mr. Young— Working at the Boats —Settling the Disputes of Savages— A Great Difficulty fortunately settled — Moloka's Invaluable Services — Launch of the Search — An Afternoon's Sport — Insolence of the Makololo — Village of Gegara — Ajawahs ready for Battle . 53

Chapter IV

In Quest of Sport — Large Herd of Buffaloes — Unsatisfactory Conduct of the Makololo — A Walk in the Jungle — Large Herd of Antelopes — On the Spoor of Elephants — Night Alarm caused by a Hippopotamus — Piccaninnee's Qualifications — Our Slow progress — Volley at a Herd of Hippopotami — Natives Alarmed by our Firing — Night at the Village of Muchola — Pombe, or Native Beer — A Mark of Respect — Warlike Rumours — Elephant-stalking — On the Spoor of a Reed-bock — Intercourse with Natives — The Machingas — Variety of Male Head-dress — Astonishing the Natives — The Country near Lake Pamalombe .76

Chapter V

In Lake Pamalombe — Again in the Shire — Two Saucy Tribes of Machingas — Entrance into Lake Nyassa — Storm in the Lake — Terror of the Makololo — The Right Man in the Right Place — Charming Little Bay — Native Fishermen — Important Information — A Mongrel Arab — Further Information respecting Livingstone — Karongo — An Even Swop — Large Native Village — Room in which Livingstone had slept — Course taken by him — His Portrait recognised — In the Footsteps of the Great Traveller — Visit of an Ajawah Chief — Interest taken by the Natives in the Success of the Expedition — A Place of Skulls . . . . . .103 CONTENTS. VII

Chapter VI

A Surly Party of Natives — Fishermen intent on their Occupation- Traces of Livingstone at Pakaooma — Story of his Death ridiculed by Natives— Slaughter of the Manganjas— A Storm on the Lake— The Search dragging her anchor — Out in search of Elephants- Fears of my Guide's Treachery— Elephants in the Reeds— Elephant Steaks— Challenged at the Entrance of a Native Village — Attempt to discover the River Lekue — Marenga and a few of his Wives — His Account of Livingstone's Visit and his Desertion by his Followers — A Native Concert— A Squall— Moloka's Lecture— A Sleeping Alligator 132

Chapter VII

At Anchor — The Lake in a Storm — Beautiful Antelope — Village of Pampemba — Out in search of Sport — The Koodoo — Mr. Young's Want of Sympathy with the Sportsman — Again in the Shire — Regret at leaving Lake Nyassa — Mapoonda — Visit of the Chief's Mother — Further Information respecting Livingstone — Falsehood of the Johanna-men's Story — A Curious Character — Medicine Charms — A Charmed Way of Loading— Kindness and Hospitality of the Old Hunter and his Wives — Pamalombe Lake — Hearty Reception from Old Friends — Zebras and Pallahs — Exciting Buffalo Chase — Arrival at Maramia 161 CHAPTER VHI. Providing the Natives with Meat — Moloka, Chinsoro, and Native Sportsmen — On the Spoor of Elephants — Sufferings from Thirst — Bowled over — Accident to Gumtickler — Successful Sport — Fine Gemsbock — A Scene of Wild Life — Surgical Operation on a Wounded Boy — Walk to Pamafunda — I leave the Expedition — Again after Elephants — Renewed Sufferings from Thirst — In a Native Village — An Effective Shot— Dinner prepared by Chinsoro— Death of a Fine Elephant CONTENTS. VIII

Chapter IX

Shot at a Hippopotamus — Devouring Raw Flesh — Return to the Shire — A Heavy Dew— Unsuccessful Elephant-Stalking — Vast Prairie— Hospitably entertained by a Manganja Chief — A Plain stocked with Game — Stirring Effect of Two Shots — A Sharp-sighted Lad — A Refreshing Bath— Splendid Field for Sportsmen— A Dishonest Ajawah — A Request I always complied with — Arrival at Pamafunda — Welcome from Moloka and Gegara — Mr. Young's Detention at Matiti — Importance of making Friends with Cotondway — Appearance of the Country — Natives with Long Hair — Patanda — "Making Prayers "—A Stalk after Buffaloes 213

Chapter X

In the Jungle — Elephant-stalking — Soiree Musicale — Cotton-spinning — Zebras running away — Deputation of the Chief's Wives — A Cool Request — Sitting in Presence of the First White Man — The River Kamvoo — A Sight for the Natives — Appearance of the Country — An African Blacksmith — Interview with Marimba — Lost in the Forest — A Hard Day's Work — Industrious Tribe — Bird-netting — Attack of Illness — Marimba's Present — An Opening for Trade — Castor-oil Plant — Contoonda — Interview with a Drunk Old Man — Inhospitable Chiefs — " Bonnie Dundee" — A Village entered by Force — Again on the move ....... 240

Chapter XI

Walk down the Lesungue — Beating down Burning Grass — Chippootoola's only Shirt — M'pemba — Early Start — The Makurumadsee — A Refreshing Bath — En route for Matiti — The Abuse of Rum — Misconduct of Buckley — Red Ants — Visitors to our Camp — Narrow Escape — Masiko — Visit to Moloka's Village — His Wives — Chibisa — A Bad Night — Chase of Koodoos — Splendid Shot — Large Herd of Elephants — Gazelles — Their Tameness — Magnificent Pair of Ivories — In Quest of Large Game — Indian Elephants — Providing Meat for Moloka — Shot at a Bless-bock — Reminiscences of the Chase — Adventure with an Elephant CONTENTS. IX

Chapter XII

Encamped on the Moanza — Village of Massahar — Arrival of the Search — Another Sporting Expedition — The Downward Voyage of the Search — Parting with Moloka — Enormous Herd of Elephants — Loss of Ammunition — Pursued by an Elephant — Bad Luck — Caught Napping — Unexpected Challenge — On the Ruo — Bishop Mackenzie's Grave — Tracking a Wounded Waterbuck — Night Halt at a Native Village — Bathing Enclosure — On a Sandbank — After a Rhinoceros — Cassenga — Run into the Zambesi — Shupanga — Supply of Meat for the Poor Villagers — Kongoni Castle — Magnificent Meteor — Return to England — A Word for Reid . . . ELEPHANT HAUNTS.

Chapter I

The Livingstone Search Expedition — Difference of Opinion as to Livingstone's Fate — Extracts from Dr. Kirk's Letters — Inconsistency of Moosa's Story — Boats for the Expedition — My First Adventure — Departure from Southampton — Purchase of a Piano for the Voyage — A Newspaper on Board — Anchor in Table Bay — Heavy Gale — The Expedition ridiculed at Cape Town — Arrival at Simon's Town — A Series of Gales — Off the Bar of the Kongoni River — Natives engaged to take the Boats up the Zambesi — Mazura — Shupanga — Mrs. Livingstone's Grave — Senna — Tette — The Nyanza Pangono, or Little Lake — Skianda — Bad Snakes. HAVING heard that an Expedition was about to be sent to south-east Africa in search of the great traveller, Dr. Livingstone, whose murder by the Mavite had been reported at the Consulate at Zan zibar, by the Johanna men who had accompanied Livingstone, when he last started from the east coast with the intention of reaching Lake Tanganyika vid the north of Nyassa, I applied to Sir Roderick Mur chison, Bart., President of the Royal Geographical Society, for the actual command of the party.

I was, however, late in the field, as a leader had been already chosen, in the person of Mr. E. D. Young, a gunner in the Royal Navy, he having served un der Livingstone on the Zambesi and Shire Rivers on p. LIVINGSTONE SEARCH EXPEDITION. a former occasion. I then volunteered to accompany the. expedition. Sir Roderick Murchison endeavoured to dissuade me from my desire for many reasons, but though compelled to acknowledge the justice and wis dom of his remarks I determined to go, and persisted in asking his assistance and support, both of which he willingly gave me, and at his suggestion I was permit ted to accompany the party. Before going further I shall enter some extracts from letters of Dr. Kirk's (Vice-Consul at Zanzibar) to the President of the Royal Geographical Society, in order to show those who may happen to be unac quainted with the particulars of Livingstone's supposed route and murder, the grounds we had to work on.

The great majority of people at home, on reading the story in the different papers, at once proclaimed Livingstone " no more." Still there were many whose experience and knowledge of "natives in general" led them to doubt the evidence of such men, and to see that there was reason to believe that Livingstone was still pursuing his travels. Most conspicuous amongst these stood Sir Roderick I. Murchison, who, in one of his addresses to the Royal Geographical Society, said he did not believe it true that Livingstone was murdered, and that he would not put his hearers " into mourning " for his old friend till he received more sub stantial evidence. Extract from a letter of Dr. Kirk, Vice-Consul, io Dr. Seward, Acting-Consul. Zanzibar, 20th Dec., 1866. " Sir, — I have the honour to enclose a brief account of what, in my opinion, was the route followed by Dr. Livingstone, and with it a rough map showing what seems to be the probable position of the leading places mentioned.

You are well aware how impossible it is from such data as we possess to arrive at a certain conclusion. I may, however, assure you that there seems nothing improbable in the narrative as I received it in regard to its geographical features. Still I regard the sad story as true when stripped of what was obviously meant to conceal, or apologise for, cowardice. The recovery of the later despatches of Dr. Livingstone written at Mataka is imperative, as they will give a clue to the proposed course of action. I think it very likely that Dr. Livingstone again wrote before plunging into the Mavite country, of which none knew the danger better than he. " From the confused and contradictory statements of the nine Johanna men, now in Zanzibar, represent ing themselves as the only survivors of Dr. Living stone's party, it is impossible to indicate with certainty the route followed, the nature of the country passed, or the spot where Dr. Livingstone is said to have been attacked and murdered.

A personal knowledge of Lake Nyassa, and acquaintance with the various tribes, have aided me in arranging what I trust may prove in its geographical points as approximate to the truth. " It will be remembered that the statements upon which the following is based require verification, com ing as they do from men whose cowardly behaviour gives an obvious motive for concealing the truth. " After due allowance has been made I regret beb ing forced to the conclusion that Dr. Livingstone was attacked and killed a little to the west of the north end of Lake Nyassa. " The last letter we, have from him was written on the 18th May, at the confluence of the Nieude and Rovuma, called Ngomano. From Mikindany (on the coast) to Ngomano is a distance of 150 miles, of which the first 80 are level ground, covered with thick bush and forest ; the remainder is more open and studded with isolated masses of igneous rock, and low ridges of syenite and schist which cross the river bed, and ren der it impassable to boats.

At Ngomano the river is joined from the S. W. by the Nieude. Here Dr. Liv ingstone crossed the Rovuma, and remained some time with the chief at the confluence. The country to the north had been pillaged by the Mavite, a marauding Zulu tribe, now settled to the west of Nyassa. This added to a general drought rendered provisions scarce. All the camels and many of the buffaloes had by this time died from the bite of the Tsetse fly ; the men were therefore forced to carry the loads, and a con siderable amount of baggage was left behind. Leaving this place, they followed a westerly course," — (I suppose by Moosa's compass !) — " and after a day's march again saw the Rovuma for the last time. On the third day, having passed several plains and tracks of forest, they ascended the slopes clothed with bamboo jungle.

On the seventh day they were at Makarika, a small Waiao village, where they stayed two days. Four days from Makarika they came to Mataka, a powerful "Waiao chief, having much cattle, and governing a populous district. On leaving Mataka after a considerable stay Dr. Livingstone lost eleven of the Bombay Sepoys, and two of the educated Africans who accompanied him. His party was thus reduced to twenty three. " After eight days' march they came to Makata, not far from lake Nyassa. The border of the lake presented a flat, sandy shore — it seemed to be about six miles wide, and the opposite shore a white sand, and no mountain of any consequence near, though large hills rose to the south. From the natives of a small village under Makata, four canoes were hired, in which the party crossed. Embarking in the morning, they had all landed by noon ; the water was shallow, and the canoes propelled by large bamboos, paddles used only at intervals.

" There is certainly no part of Nyassa south of latitude 11°, which corresponds with this description. Throughout the two hundred miles formerly explored, it was found to be a deep blue lake, and at the only point at all narrow enough to allow of their crossing in the time mentioned, it is not only deep, but has a mountain ridge not far off its western shore. Besides, the head Johanna man (Moosa), our present inform ant, was formerly one of the party on the Shire, and accompanied Dr. Livingstone on foot beyond the point referred to, and as he positively asserts that the old route lay far to the south, I have little hesitation in placing the spot where the lake was crossed as the unknown extremity at about 10° 30' south latitude. There is good reason to think that Mapoonda, where Dr. Livingstone landed, is the same place that I heard of in 1861."— (Alluding to the north end of the lake.)

"From Mapoonda, Dr. Livingstone went to Ma renga. After two days' march west beyond, he crossed in canoes over a marsh. Thus he left the shores of the lake, and as his first object was to settle the extent northwards of Nyassa, we may presume that he had now done so, and was on his way to Ujiji, perhaps by way of Cazembe. He seemed to have followed out the course mentioned in his letter of May 18th, wherein he announced the intention of going on at once from Nyassa to Tanganyika, if his operations on the former were successful. " Leaving Marenga, where they were well treated, a desolate country was entered, a region scoured by parties of Mavite, who are at constant war with their neighbours, At the last outpost of the lake people, Livingstone was told that the Mavite were then near. On the morning of the second day's march from Marenga, about 9 a.m., when crossing a level plain with grass three feet high, and scattered bush and forest, a band of Mavite suddenly appeared, and are said at once to have attacked, regardless of the loss of the foremost as they dropped to Dr. Livingstone's shot.

The educated African boys were, as usual, near Livingstone ; while Moosa, at the head of the Johanna men, followed at a short distance behind. On seeing that something was wrong, Moosa went forward, and from behind a tree observed the Mavite close on Dr. Livingstone, who was at this time en deavouring to re-load his gun. While thus occupied, he was cut down by a blow of a battle-axe, which divided the neck bone. Moosa fled, and with him the other Johanna boys. It seems that being behind at the time, and concealed by the bush, they were not seen by the Mavite. However this may be, they say they were not pursued to a distance, but lay concealed, and towards evening came up cautiously to see if the loads still remained where they had cast them down. Finding none, they advanced, and saw Dr. Living stone's body where Moosa had seen him fall, the upper clothing stripped and carried off, as were also his gun and everything he carried.

Near him were several of the African boys dead, and in front lay two Mavite. Having buried the body of their leader, they left the spot, and after a time recrossed the lake at Kam poonda (or Mapoonda), but so confused is their story that it is impossible to indicate their path to Keelwa further than that it lay north of that by which they went. (Signed) " Kirk." Extracts from a Letter of Dr. Kirk to Sir Roderick Murchison. 9th December, 1866. " 1. Although the evidence is in many points contra dictory in detail, and the survivors can give no clear account of their route, I find no cause to doubt their veracity in the main points of the narrative, and allow for much from the fact that an early flight alone saved them, an act of cowardice which would lead them in a measure to exaggerate some of the circumstances.

One great difficulty is that they speak the language of Johanna only, which necessitates the use of unskilled interpreters. "2. On the seventh day they were at Makarika, where they rested two days, and after eleven marches came to Mataka, a town of considerable size, the resi dence of a chief who has power over a large district and many people. These are of the Waiao tribe, the same whom we call Ajawah on the Zambesi. " 3. Here (Mataka) Dr. Livingstone discarded all except the Havildar, who stuck to him bravely, and advanced, while his men (the Sepoys) returned to the coast in company with a slave caravan which passed that way, soon after Dr. Livingstone had left Mataka. An estimate of Dr. Livingstone's confidence in these men may be formed from the fact that his letters and dispatches were entrusted to the chief Mataka to be given to the first caravan.

These important docu ments have not yet been received, although six of the Sepoys have come in, and caravans arrived at Quioloa. " 4. Having been fifteen days at Mataka, he ad vanced-still in a westerly course." (By Moosa's compass, I suppose.) " 5. Eight days' march over a hilly country brought them to Mataka, one day distant from the border of a lake. The day following their arrival at the lake, they obtained four canoes, and embarking in the morning, were all landed on the opposite shore by noon. Water extended to the north as far as they could see, and they heard of no end in that direction. To the south it seemed still wider. They also stated that the canoes were propelled by means of poles, and paddles were seldom used. The lake at this EXTRACTS FROM DR. KIRIt's LETTERS. 9 place extended north and south."

(Moosa's compass !) " 6. That night they slept at a small village on the western shore, and leaving the water behind, marched west to Mapoonda. One of the Zambesi boys, Waikatani, deserted here, and the Havildar, worn out by disease, which attacked him on crossing the Nyassa, lagged behind and was left. They left Ma poonda, and arrived at Marenga after two days' march over level land, journeying west. No hills were crossed, although mountains were seen at the south ; but there was a small hill at Mapoonda. " 7. After remaining a day at Marenga, they again followed a westerly course over smooth ground. Marenga, who was civil to the party, ferried them in canoes over a muddy channel or swamp, rather than river. " 8. Soon after this they passed Maksura, still keep ing west, and slept one night in the jungle.

They had been told that the Mavite were fighting in this part. "9. The fatal attack occurred at 9 a.m. in the morning's march. " 10. About 9 a.m. in the morning's march they found themselves travelling a plain country, covered with grass as high as a man's waist, and abounding in low bushes, with forest trees and dense underwood at intervals, such, indeed, as is seen a lit tle further south, where the country is known. Liv ingstone led the way, having next to him, as usual, the Zambesi boys and Bombay-educated Africans ; while Moosa, at the head of the Johanna men, drew up the rear. As Moosa is our only authority for what happened at this time, I may state that he was about fifty yards behind Dr. Livingstone when the boys passed the word from the doctor that the Ma vite were seen a little distance off.

On this he ran forward, having with him his loaded rifle. When he had reached within ten paces of Dr. Livingstone, the Mavite were near and charging, their heads dressed with feathers, visible above the large Kaffir shields of oxhide. Their arms were spears and battle-axes. On seeing Dr. Livingstone and his boys with levelled muskets, they checked their charge for a moment, and came on with a hissing sound when they found they were not fired on. Dr. Livingstone then shot the foremost man ; he dropped dead. The others fired, and as the smoke cleared away Moosa saw three men facing Dr. Livingstone. Moosa was at this time standing behind a tree in order to fire. Seeing the Mavite suddenly so close, he appears to have been panic-stricken. Dr. Livingstone had emptied his gun, and was endeavouring to reload when faced by these three Mavite, who cut him down with a blow from a battle-axe, which severed the neck-bone, so that the head dropped forward, and he fell instantly.

What happened on the field after this is unknown. Moosa ran off, and having been behind, probably was unseen, while the Mavite attacked those who were with the doctor and had fired. " 11. Moosa in his flight met his men ; they had al ready heard the firing a little way in front, and were prepared to throw down their loads and make off. This they now did, and ran to a distance, where they hid themselves in the bush. Near sunset they came EXTRACTS FROjM DR. KIRK's LETTERS. 11 out, and desirous of seeing if any of the loads still remained, they stealthily approached the place. Find ing nothing where they had laid them down, and see ing no one, they became bolder, and cautiously ad vanced, when they saw Dr. Livingstone's body strip ped of all but the trousers, and presenting one wound in the back of the neck.

They scraped a hole in the soil, and placed the body there, covering it over with earth. They did not stay longer. Near Living stone's corpse were the bodies of the two boys, which they recognised in the dim light by the ragged trousers still on them. The corpses of two Mavite lay near — it might be about twenty yards off — their shields by their sides, but spears and axes had been carried off. Nothing remained to bring away. The Mavite had taken all. The nine Johanna men who have come back saw two boys dead. One Johanna man and all the Bombay and Zambesi boys are miss ing, and there is little chance that any of them ever return, taking as truth the statements solemnly made by the Johanna man and his eight companions, who all declare that, with the exception of Moosa, none saw Dr. Livingstone fall, yet they assisted afterwards in depositing the body in its shallow grave.

"12. On theirway — "(the Johanna men returning) — " to the coast at Quioloa, the party was suddenly at tacked by a party of Mavite and dispersed." — (Arabs, slaves, &c, and all the caravan with which they were travelling.) " Everyone fled — the Johanna men now for the second time. Ivory and slaves were abandoned and left to the will of the dreaded ma rauders. story of Livingstone's death. "13. I believe that Dr. Livingstone first came upon the lake in lat. 10°. " J. Kirk." Extract from a Letter of Dr. Kirk to Sir Roderick I. Murchison. 19th December, 1866. "1. From Mapoonda on the west side of a narrow portion of the lake, they marched to Marenga, two days' journey distant. Marenga was civil, and ferried the party over a marshy tract of mud, which they might have gone round by a detour. The outlying villagers warned them that the Mavite were out.

" 2. When he had journeyed a day and a half from Marenga, about 9 a.m. the party was suddenly attacked in plain ground. "J Kirk." Before proceeding with the narrative of the search I shall show the principal reasons I myself had for doubting the truth of the reported death of Living stone. Doubtless the Johanna men's story appears tolerably plausible at first sight, but when closely studied it must inevitably dwindle into a mere fabrica tion. Perhaps the first thing that struck me on read ing Dr. Kirk's letters was that during the attack Livingstone is reported to have shot two of the Mavite when within twenty yards, and charging, and was in the act of reloading his gun when cut down. Now had Moosa stated that he had seen Livingstone cut down with his rifle clubbed, fighting hand to hand with the Mavite, or else in actual flight, it appeared to me he would have told a better yarn.

This I could have understood, but I could not fancy any man my doubts of its truth. having discharged his piece at a foe in full charge, at the short distance of twenty yards, quietly reloading, even had he a Snider in his hand. Again, had Moosa, with his loaded rifle in his hand (see Kirk's letter, 9th Dec., par. 10), sufficient time to see all this from behind a tree, surely he had time to fire in de fence of his leader. He acknowledges to having been within ten paces of Livingstone when he saw the Mavite within twenty yards, and charging (see Kirk's letter, 9th Dec., par. 10). It seemed too ridiculous to believe that all this time, during which an enemy had commenced a charge, halted when they saw muskets levelled at them, and continued their charge when they found they were not fired on — during which two of them were shot down by Livingstone, a volley was fired by the African boys, and when the smoke cleared away three of the enemy were seen facing the great traveller — that all this time Moosa was standing be hind a tree in order to fire.

Yet he stands quietly there, within ten yards of them, till he sees how the Mavite dispose of their prey ; and having seen Livingstone's head drop forward, almost severed from the body, and finally the body fall, he escapes by flight. Surely, if he was within ten paces of the murderers of Livingstone, and in a position to see the sight he has reported, he could scarcely have escaped unseen. Again, I am at a loss to know why they brought nothing from the scene of the tragedy — no article of any kind that would tend to prove their story. True, they say, " Nothing remained to bring away, the Mavite had taken all," (Kirk's letter, 9th Dec., par. 11). Again, BOATS FOR THE EXPEDITION. they contradict that statement by saying that their shields lay by the side of the two dead Mavite. Living stone's trousers also remained, and the trousers of the two boys.

Why were not some of these articles brought ? A Mavite shield would have adorned their lying story. It also seemed to me a curious fact that during their few months' travels the Johanna men should have been the sole survivors of two Mavite onslaughts, their companions in both cases having fallen victims. Put ting these things together, with the well-known fact that Moosa has hitherto borne the character of a no torious liar, I never placed the least credence in the report, and always felt certain that these rascals had deserted their leader, and told this cleverly concocted lie to screen their own cowardice. The Livingstone Search Expedition was sent out by the Royal Geographical Society, assisted by our Government, and consisted of Mr. E. D. Young, gun ner, Royal Navy (leader), Mr. J. Reid, carpenter, from Glasgow, Mr. Buckley, stoker, from some man-of-war or other, and myself.