the old woman looked up into his face, and said, ’Peer thing, ye ken naething aboot it.’  This is what I say to those who set themselves up to judge another man’s servant.  We hope our good Master may permit us to do some good to our fellow-men.”

His correspondence with Sir Roderick Murchison is likewise full of the idea of the colony.  He is thoroughly persuaded that no good will ever be done by the Portuguese.  They are a worn-out people—­utterly worn out by disease—­their stamina consumed.  Fresh European blood must be poured into Africa.  In consequence of recent discoveries, he now sees his way open, and all his hopes of benefit to England and Africa about to be realized.  This must have been one of Livingstone’s happiest times.  Visions of Christian colonies, of the spread of arts and civilization, of the progress of Christianity and the Christian graces, of the cultivation of cotton and the disappearance of the slave-trade, floated before him.  Already the wilderness seemed to be blossoming.  But the bright consummation was not so near as it seemed.  One source of mischief was yet unchecked, and from it disastrous storms were preparing to break on the enterprise.

On his way home, Dr. Livingstone’s health was not satisfactory, but this did not keep him from duty. “14_th October>_.—­Went on 17th part way up to Murchison’s Cataracts, and yesterday reached it.  Very ill with bleeding from the bowels and purging.  Bled all night.  Got up at one A.M. to take latitude.”

At length, on 4th November, 1859, letters reached him from his family.  “A letter from Mrs. L. says we were blessed with a little daughter on 16th November, 1858, at Kuruman.  A fine healthy child.  The Lord bless and make her his own child in heart and life!” She had been nearly a year in the world before he heard of her existence.

CHAPTER XIII.

GOING HOME WITH THE MAKOLOLO.

A.D. 1860.

Down to Kongone—­State of the ship—­Further delay—­Letter to Secretary of Universities Mission—­Letter to Mr. Braithwaite—­At Tette—­Miss Whately’s sugar-mill—­With his brother and Kirk at Kebrabasa—­Mode of traveling—­Reappearence of old friends—­African warfare and its effects—­Desolation—­A European colony desirable—­Escape from rhinoceros—­Rumors of Moffat—­The Portuguese local Governors oppose Livingstone—­He becomes unpopular with them—­Letter to Mr. Young—­Wants of the country—­The Makololo—­Approach home—­Some are disappointed—­News of the death of the London missionaries, the Helmores and others—­Letter to Dr. Moffat—­The Victoria Falls re-examined—­Sekeletu ill of leprosy—­Treatment and recovery—­His disappointment at not seeing Mrs. Livingstone—­Efforts for the spiritual good of the Makololo—­Careful observations in Natural History—­The last of the “Ma-Robert”—­Cheering prospect of the Universities Mission—­Letter to Mr. Moore—­to Mr. Young—­He wishes another ship—­Letter to Sir Roderick Murchison on the rumored journey of Silva Porto.