icon 0
icon TOP UP
rightIcon
icon Reading History
rightIcon
icon Log out
rightIcon
icon Get the APP
rightIcon

How I Found Livingstone

Chapter 3 - ORGANIZATION OF THE EXPEDITION.

Word Count: 5160    |    Released on: 06/12/2017

what I needed, in order to take an Expedition into Central Africa. Time was pre

ven some information on these points; had they devoted a chapter upon, "How to get ready an Expedition for Central Africa." The purpo

tions I asked myself, as I

money is

pagazis, o

any so

much

many

much

are required for th

on, Speke, and Grant in vain. A good deal of geographical, ethnological, and other information appertaining to the study of Inner Africa was obtainable, but information respecting the organization of an expedition requisite before proceeding to Africa, was not in any book. The Europeans at Zanzibar knew as

merchant who had been engaged in the ivory

t traders who came to his house to gossip about their adventures and gains. He was also the proprietor of the large house Capt. Webb occupied; besides, he lived across the n

and quality of stuffs I required, than I had obtained from three months' study of books upon Central Africa; and from other Arab merchants t

ration that a superfluity of goods or means will prove as fatal to him as poverty of supplies. It is on t

favourite in Unyamwezi; Sohari, taken in Ugogo; Ismahili, Taujiri, Joho, Shash, Rehani, Jamdani or Kunguru-Cutch, blue and pink. These were deemed amply sufficient for the subsistence of one hundred men for twelve months. Two years at this rate would require 4,000 doti = 16,000 yards of American

en, where all other kinds would be refused; black (bubu) beads, though currency in Ugogo, were positively worthless with all other tribes; the egg (sungomazzi) beads, though valuable in Ujiji and Uguhha, would be refused in all other countries; the white (Merikani) beads though good in Ufipa, and some parts of Usagara and Ugogo, would certainly be despi

vel through France; how many through Prussia, Austria, and Russia, then to reckon the expense he would be likely to incur per day. If the expense be set down at a napoleon per day, and his journey through France would occupy thirty days, the sum required for

ukunguru, Ghulabio, Sungomazzi, Kadunduguru, Mutunda, Samisami, Bubu, Merikani, Hafde, Lunghio-Rega, and Lakhio, until I was fairly beside myself. Finally, however, I came to the conclusion that if I reckoned my requirements at fifty khete, or five fundo per

e-were considered the best numbers for trading purposes. While beads stand for copper coins in Africa, cloth measures for silver; wire is re

that I differ from

d, as I deem the let

vas, tar, needles, tools, ammunition, guns, equipments, hatchets, medicines, bedding, presents for chiefs-in short, a thousand things not yet purchased. The ordeal of chaffering and haggling with steel-hearted Banyans, Hindis, Arabs, and half-castes was most trying. For instance, I purchased twenty-two donkeys at Zanzibar. $40 and $50 were a

Zanzibar. Donkeys without pack-saddles were of no use whatever. I invented a saddle to b

hough the animal-a wild creature of Unyamwezi-struggled and reared frantic ally, not a particle gave way. After this experiment, Farquhar was set to work to manufacture twenty-one more after the same pattern. Woollen pads were also purchase

requirements of such a man as I needed, and was an experienced hand with the palm and needle, could cut canvas to fit anything, was a pretty good navigator, ready and willing, so far as his professions went.. I saw n

" were yet to be found. The idea had struck me before, that if I could obtain the services of a few men acquainted with the ways of white men, and who could induce other good men to join the expedition I was organizing, I mig

"Faithfuls." When I asked them if they were willing to join another white man's expedition to Ujiji, they replied very readily that they were willing to join any brother of "Speke's." Dr. John Kirk, Her Majesty's Consul at Zanzibar, who w

anzibar. Uledi was sure Mombay would jump with joy at the prospect of another expedition. Johari was

ncommonly high, narrow forehead, with a very large mouth, showing teeth very irregular, and wide apart. An ugly rent in the upper front row of Bombay's teeth was made with the clenched fist of Capt. Speke in Uganda when his master's patience was worn out, and prompt punishment became necessary. That Capt. Speke had spoiled him with kindness was eviden

m I required him as captain of my soldiers to Ujiji. His reply was that he was ready to do whatever I told him, go wherever I liked in sh

ibar there were but six. Ferrajji, Maktub, Sadik, Sunguru, Manyu, Matajari, Mkata, and Almas, were dead;

in the "Discovery of the Sources of the Nile," one, poor Mabruki, had met with

and this was done in a manner that only the heart of an African could conceive. They tied the unfortunate fellow by his wrists to a branch of a tree, and after indulging their brutal appetite for revenge in torturing him, left him to hang in that position for two days. At the expiration of the second day, he was accidentally discovered in a most pitiable condition. His hands had swollen to

was one of Speke's "Faithfuls." For if he but wagged his tongue in my service, kept his ey

, and for whom he declared himself responsible. They were an exceedingly fine-looking body of men, far more intelligent in appearance than I cou

. Each soldier was provided with a flintlock musket, powder horn, bullet-

lf that sum in advance, a good muzzle-loading rifle, besides, a pistol, knife, and hatchet were given to him, while the other

astern and Central Africa, my mind had conceived the difficulties which would

l as human wit could suggest, w

by the insolence of a King Kannena or the caprice of a Hamed bin Sulayyam?" was a question I asked myself. To guard against such a contingency I

nt for a cruise, from the American Consul, for the sum of $80, and a smaller one from another

and thwarts only. As a substitute for the boards, I proposed to cover each boat with a double canvas skin well

excelled himself in the workmanship displayed on the canvas boats; when finished, they fitted their frames admirably.

good donkeys ready, and I thought a cart adapted for the footpaths of Africa might prove an advantage. Accordingly I had a cart constructed, eighteen inches wide and five feet long, supplied with two fore-wheels of a light American wagon, more for the purpose of conveying the narrow ammunition-boxe

aining every imaginable thing, I confess I was rather abashed at my own temerity. Here were at least six tons of material! "How will it ever be possible," I thought, "to move all this inert mass across t

must have when about to sail on a long voyage. He must have his slop chest, his little store of canned dainties, and his medicines, besides which, he must have enough guns, powder, and ball to be able

, by which a traveller may carry his means about with him on his own person. Eastern and Central Africa, however, demand a necklace, instead

eed with him into the interior. His means of conveyance are limited to black and naked men,

is, that no traveller should ever think of coming to Zanzibar with his money in any other shape than gold coin.

r removed from all avenues of European commerce, and coin is at a high premium. A man may talk and entreat, but though he may have drafts, cheques, circular notes, letters of credit, a cart

ibar. This fact was repeated a thousand times in the streets, proclaimed in all shop alcoves, and at the custom-house. The native bazaar laid hold of it,

and impertinent, was, I am going to

_____________

M. STA

York H

______________

'New York Herald' with a search after "Docto

courage and wit to brow-beat the villainous Goanese, and match the foxy Banyan, talking volumes throughout the day, correcting estimates, making up accounts, superintending the delivery of purchased articles, measuring and weighing them, to see that everything was of full

o the white men, and black escort of the Expedition, having fretted Capt. Webb and his family more than enough with the din of preparation, and filled his house with my goods,

o be in state apparel, proceeded with me to the Sultan's palace. The prince had been generous to me; he had presented me with an Arab horse, had furnished me wi

ian blinds painted a vivid green, and presenting a striking contrast to the whitewashed walls. Before the great, lofty, wide door were ranged in two crescents several Baluch and Persian mercenaries

cording as he bade us, we passed forward, and arrived on the highest step near the entrance door. He pointed forward; we bowed and arrived at the foot of an unpainted and narrow staircase to turn once more to the Sultan. The Consul, I perceived, was ascending sideways, a mode of progression which I saw was intended for a compromise with decency and dignity. At the top of the stai

to be present at the interview, not only because he was one of the councillors of His Highness, but because he also took a lively interest in this American Expedition. Opposite to Ludha sat Capt. Webb, and next to him I was se

old-hilted scimitar, encased in a scabbard also enriched with gold: His legs and feet were bare, and had a ponderous look about them, since he suffered from that strange curse of Zanzibar-elephantiasis. His feet were slipped into a pair of watta (Arabic for slippers), with thick soles and a strong leathern band over

ar and Pemba, and the East coast of Africa, from S

d by golden finjans, also some coc

n with the question a

you w

hank you. How i

s.-"Qui

o me.-"Are

Quite wel

ness; and questions about my t

you like

erbela, Bagdad,

Turks many

ny has

rsia f

ou like Z

Bagamoyo and Kaole, and a general introductory letter to all Arab merchants whom I might meet on the road, and conclu

the same manner that we had bowed ourselves in,

presented me, as I gave him my adieu, with a blooded bay horse, impo

tion and equipment of the "'New York Herald' Expedition" was complete; tents and saddles had been manuf

my card to the European and American Consuls at Zan

Into one were lifted the two horses, into two others the donkeys, into the

ead; the Consul, his lady, and exuberant little children, Mary and Charley, were on the housetop waving the starry banner, hats, and handkerchi

Claim Your Bonus at the APP

Open