CHAPTER XVII.
FURTHER DETAILS OF THE DEATH OF LIVINGSTONE.

The Last Night — Expires in the Act of Praying — Council of the Men — Noble Conduct of Chitambo — The Preparation of the Corpse — Honor Shown to Dr. Livingstone — Interment of the Heart at Chitambo’s — Homeward March from Ilala — Illness of all the Men — Deaths — The Luapulu — Reach Tanganyika — Leave the Lake — Cross the Lambalamfipa Range — Immense Herds of Game — News of East Coast Search Expedition — Confirmation of News — Avant-Couriers sent Forward to Unyanyembe — Chuma Meets Lieut. Cameron — Sad Death of Dr. Dillon — The Body Effectually Concealed — Arrival on the Coast.

[We shall now refer to the last words written in Dr. Livingstone’s diary. A [copy] of the two pages in his pocket-book which contains them is, by the help of photography, set before the reader. It is evident that he was unable to do more than make the shortest memoranda, and to mark on the map which he was making the streams which enter the lake as he crossed them. From the 22d to the 27th of April he had not strength to write down anything but the several dates. Fortunately, Susi and Chuma give a very clear and circumstantial account of every incident which occurred on these days, and we shall therefore add what they say, after each of the Doctor’s entries. He writes:]

21st April.—Tried to ride, but was forced to lie down, and they carried me back to vil. exhausted.

Fac-Simile of the Last Entries in Dr. Livingstone’s Note-Book.

[Larger Fac-Simile]

[The men explain this entry thus: This morning the Doctor tried if he were strong enough to ride on the donkey, but he had only gone a short distance when he fell to the ground, utterly exhausted and faint. Susi immediately undid his belt and pistol, and picked up his cap, which had dropped off, while Chuma threw down his gun, and ran to stop the men on ahead. When he got back, the Doctor said, “Chuma, I have lost so much blood, there is no more strength left in my legs; you must carry me.” He was then assisted gently to his shoulders, and, holding the man’s head to steady himself, was borne back to the village, and placed in the hut he had so recently left. It was necessary to let the chief Muanzambamba know what had happened, and for this purpose Dr. Livingstone despatched a messenger. He was directed to ask him to supply a guide for the next day, as he trusted then to have recovered so far as to be able to march. The answer was, “Stay as long as you wish, and when you want guides to Kalunganjovu’s you shall have them.”]

22d April.—Carried on kitanda over Buga southwest two and a quarter.[8]

[8] Two hours and a quarter in a south-westerly direction.