ave to offer only
a simple account of a mission which, with respect to the objects proposed
to be thereby accomplished, formed a noble contrast to some of the
earlier expeditions to Eastern Africa. I believe that the information it
will give, respecting the people visited and the countries traversed,
will not be materially gainsaid by any future commonplace traveller like
myself, who may be blest with fair health and a gleam of sunshine in his
breast. This account is written in the earnest hope that it may
contribute to that information which will yet cause the great and fertile
continent of Africa to be no longer kept wantonly sealed, but made
available as the scene of European enterprise, and will enable its people
to take a place among the nations of the earth, thus securing the
happiness and prosperity of tribes now sunk in barbarism or debased by
slavery; and, above all, I cherish the hope that it may lead to the
introduction of the blessings of the Gospel.

In order that the following narrative may be clearly understood, it is
necessary to call to mind some things which took place previous to the
Zambesi Expedition being sent out. Most geographers are aware that,
before the discovery of Lake Ngami and the well-watered country in which
the Makololo dwell, the idea prevailed that a large part of the interior
of Africa consisted of sandy deserts, into which rivers ran and were
lost. During my journey in 1852-6, from sea to sea, across the south
intertropical part of the continent, it was found to be a well-watered
country, with large tracts of fine fertile soil covered with forest, and
beautiful grassy valleys, occupied by a considerable population; and one
of the most wonderful waterfalls in the world was brought to light. The
peculiar form of the continent was then ascertained to be an elevated
plateau, somewhat depressed in the centre, and with fissures in the sides
by which the rivers escaped to the sea; and this great fact in physical
geography can never be referred to without calling to mind the remarkable
hypothesis by which the distinguished President of the Royal Geographical
Society (Sir Roderick I. Murchison) clearly indicated this peculiarity,
before it was verified by actual observation of the altitudes of the
country and by the courses of the rivers. New light was thrown on other
portions of the continent by the famous travels of Dr. Barth, by the
researches of the Church of England missionaries Kr