labourers. Not an ounce of fresh provisions could be
obtained, except what could be shot, and even the food for our native
crew had to be brought one hundred and fifty miles from the Zambesi.

The diet of salt provisions and preserved meats without vegetables, with
the depression of spirits caused by seeing how effectually a few wretched
convicts, aided by the connivance of officials, of whom better might have
been hoped, could counteract our best efforts, and turn intended good to
certain evil, brought on attacks of dysentery, which went the round of
the Expedition--and, Dr. Kirk and Charles Livingstone having suffered
most severely, it was deemed advisable that they should go home. This
measure was necessary, though much to the regret of all--for having done
so much, they were naturally anxious to be present, when, by the
establishing ourselves on the Lake, all our efforts should be crowned
with success. After it had been decided that these two officers, and all
the whites who could be spared, should be sent down to the sea for a
passage to England, Dr. Livingstone was seized in May with a severe
attack of dysentery, which continued for a month, and reduced him to a
shadow. Dr. Kirk kindly remained in attendance till the worst was
passed. The parting took place on the 19th of May.

After a few miles of road were completed, and the oxen broken in, we
resolved to try and render ourselves independent of the south for fresh
provisions, by going in a boat up the Shire, above the Cataracts, to the
tribes at the foot of Lake Nyassa, who were still untouched by the Ajawa
invasion. In furtherance of this plan Dr. Livingstone and Mr. Rae
determined to walk up to examine, and, if need be, mend the boat which
had been left two seasons previously hung up to the limb of a large shady
tree, before attempting to carry another past the Cataracts. The
"Pioneer," which was to be left in charge of our active and most
trustworthy gunner, Mr. Edward D. Young, R.N., was thoroughly roofed over
with euphorbia branches and grass, so as completely to protect her decks
from the sun: she also received daily a due amount of man-of-war
scrubbing and washing; and, besides having everything put in shipshape
fashion, was every evening swung out into the middle of the river, for
the sake of the greater amount of air which circulated there. In
addition to their daily routine work of the ship, the three stokers, one
sailor, and one carpenter--now