The Last Journals of David Livingstone, in Central Africa, from 1865 to His Death | Page 4

in my extreme weakness; but carriage is painful; head down and feet up
alternates with feet down and head up; jolted up and down and
sideways--changing shoulders involves a toss from one side to the other
of the kitanda. The sun is vertical, blistering any part of the skin
exposed, and I try to shelter my face and head as well as I can with a
bunch of leaves, but it is dreadfully fatiguing in my weakness.
I had a severe relapse after a very hot day. Mohamad gave me
medicines; one was a sharp purgative, the others intended for the cure
of the cough.
_14th February, 1869._--Arrived at Tanganyika. Parra is the name of
the land at the confluence of the River Lofuko: Syde bin Habib had two
or three large canoes at this place, our beads were nearly done, so I sent
to Syde to say that all the Arabs had served me except himself. Thani
bin Suellim by his letter was anxious to send a canoe as soon as I
reached the Lake, and the only service I wanted of Syde was to inform
Thani, by one of his canoes, that I was here very ill, and if I did not get
to Ujiji to get proper food and medicine I should die. Thani would send
a canoe as soon as he knew of my arrival I was sure: he replied that he
too would serve me: and sent some flour and two fowls: he would
come in two days and see what he could do as to canoes.
_15th February, 1869._--The cough and chest pain diminished, and I
feel thankful; my body is greatly emaciated. Syde came to-day, and is
favourable to sending me up to Ujiji. Thanks to the Great Father in
Heaven.
_24th February, 1869._--We had remarkably little rain these two
months.
_25th February, 1869._--I extracted twenty _Funyés_, an insect like a
maggot, whose eggs had been inserted on my having been put into an
old house infested by them; as they enlarge they stir about and impart a

stinging sensation; if disturbed, the head is drawn in a little. When a
poultice is put on they seem obliged to come out possibly from want of
air: they can be pressed out, but the large pimple in which they live is
painful; they were chiefly in my limbs.
_26th February, 1869._--Embark, and sleep at Katonga after seven
hours' paddling.
_27th February, 1869._--Went 1-3/4 hour to Bondo or Thembwé to buy
food. Shore very rough, like shores near Capréra, but here all is covered
with vegetation. We were to cross to Kabogo, a large mass of
mountains on the eastern side, but the wind was too high.
_28th February, 1869._--Syde sent food back to his slaves.
_2nd March, 1869._--Waves still high, so we got off only on _3rd_ at
1h. 30m. A.M. 6-1/2 hours, and came to M. Bogharib, who cooked
bountifully.
_6th March, 1869._--5 P.M. Off to Toloka Bay--three hours; left at 6
A.M., and came, in four hours, to Uguha, which is on the west side of
Tanganyika.
_7th March, 1869._--Left at 6 P.M., and went on till two canoes ran on
rocks in the way to Kasanga islet. Rounded a point of land, and made
for Kasanga with a storm in our teeth; fourteen hours in all. We were
received by a young Arab Muscat, who dined us sumptuously at noon:
there are seventeen islets in the Kasanga group.
_8th March, 1869._--On Kasanga islet. Cochin-China fowls[1] and
Muscovy ducks appear, and plenty of a small milkless breed of goats.
Tanganyika has many deep bays running in four or five miles; they are
choked up with aquatic vegetation, through which canoes can scarcely
be propelled. When the bay has a small rivulet at its head, the water in
the bay is decidedly brackish, though the rivulet be fresh, it made the
Zanzibar people remark on the Lake water, "It is like that we get near
the sea-shore--a little salt;" but as soon as we get out of the shut-in bay
or lagoon into the Lake proper the water is quite sweet, and shows that

a current flows through the middle of the Lake lengthways.
Patience was never more needed than now: I am near Ujiji, but the
slaves who paddle are tired, and no wonder; they keep up a roaring
song all through their work, night and day. I expect to get medicine,
food, and milk at Ujiji, but dawdle and do nothing. I have a good
appetite, and sleep well; these are the favourable symptoms; but am
dreadfully thin, bowels irregular, and I have no medicine. Sputa
increases; hope to hold out to Ujiji. Cough worse. Hope to go
to-morrow.
_9th March, 1869._--The Whydah birds have at present light breasts
and dark necks. Zahor