Part 40 (1/2)
”Thanks.”
”What will you have to drink--beer, stout, brandy? Eh, by George! I congratulate you on your splendid success,” said he, impetuously.
I knew him immediately. He was an Englishman. He was Lieut. William Henn, R.N., chief of the Livingstone Search and Relief Expedition, about to be despatched by the Royal Geographical Society to find and relieve Livingstone. The former chief, as the Expedition was at first organized, was Lieut. Llewellyn S. Dawson, who, as soon as he heard from my men that I had found Livingstone, had crossed over to Zanzibar, and, after consultation with Dr. John Kirk, had resigned. He had now nothing further to do with it, the command having formally devolved on Lieut.
Henn. A Mr. Charles New, also, missionary from Mombasah, had joined the expedition, but he had resigned too. So now there were left but Lieut.
Henn and Mr. Oswell Livingstone, second son of the Doctor.
”Is Mr. Oswell Livingstone here?” I asked, with considerable surprise.
”Yes; he will be here directly.”
”What are you going to do now?” I asked.
”I don't think it worth my while to go now. You have taken the wind out of our sails completely. If you have relieved him, I don't see the use of my going. Do you?”
”Well, it depends. You know your own orders best. If you have come only to find and relieve him, I can tell you truly he is found and relieved, and that he wants nothing more than a few canned meats, and some other little things which I dare say you have not got. I have his list in his own handwriting with me. But his son must go anyhow, and I can get men easily enough for him.”
”Well, if he is relieved, it is of no use my going.”
At this time in walked a slight, young, gentlemanly man, with light complexion, light hair, dark, l.u.s.trous eyes, who was introduced to me as Mr. Oswell Livingstone. The introduction was hardly necessary, for in his features there was much of what were the specialities of his father.
There was an air of quiet resolution about him, and in the greeting which he gave me he exhibited rather a reticent character; but I attributed that to a receptive nature, which augured well for the future.
”I was telling Lieut. Henn that, whether he goes or not, you must go to your father, Mr. Livingstone.”
”Oh, I mean to go.”
”Yes, that's right. I will furnish you with men and what stores your father needs. My men will take you to Unyanyembe without any difficulty.
They know the road well, and that is a great advantage. They know how to deal with the negro chiefs, and you will have no need to trouble your head about them, but march. The great thing that is required is speed.
Your father will be waiting for the things.”
”I will march them fast enough, if that is all.”
”Oh, they will be going up light, and they can easily make long marches.”
It was settled, then. Henn made up his mind that, as the Doctor had been relieved, he was not wanted; but, before formally resigning, he intended to consult with Dr. Kirk, and for that purpose he would cross over to Zanzibar the next day with the 'Herald' Expedition.
At 2 A.M. I retired to sleep on a comfortable bed. There was a great smell of newness about certain articles in the bedroom, such as haversacks, knapsacks, portmanteaus, leather gun-cases, &c. Evidently the new Expedition had some crudities about it; but a journey into the interior would soon have lessened the stock of superfluities, which all new men at first load themselves with.
Ah! what a sigh of relief was that I gave, as I threw myself on my bed, at the thought that, ”Thank G.o.d! my marching was ended.”
CHAPTER XVI. -- VALEDICTORY.
At 5 P.M., on the 7th of May, 1872, the dhow which conveyed my Expedition back to Zanzibar arrived in the harbor, and the men, delighted to find themselves once more so near their homes, fired volley after volley, the American flag was hoisted up, and we soon saw the house-roofs and wharves lined with spectators, many of whom were Europeans, with gla.s.ses levelled at us.
We drew ash.o.r.e slowly; but a boat putting off to take us to land, we stepped into it, and I was soon in presence of my friend the Consul, who heartily welcomed me back to Zanzibar; and soon after was introduced to the Rev. Charles New, who was but a day or two previous to my arrival an important member of the English Search Expedition--a small, slight man in appearance, who, though he looked weakly, had a fund of energy or nervousness in him which was almost too great for such a body. He also heartily congratulated me.
After a bounteous dinner, to which I did justice in a manner that astonished my new friends, Lieut. Dawson called to see me, and said: