A buoyancy of exhilaration was felt during this progress,
which put into the shade the happinesses of years. The
refreshing kiss of the soft breezes which swept over the
big water was not only soothing, but strangely delightful.
I had every reason to be contented with my new surroundings,
and especially with my rescuers and companions,
who one and all did everything they could to make me
comfortable. Ceremony was absent here, for in such wild
surroundings men soon fall back into the natural state and
learn each other’s ways.
The rescuing party included Lieutenant Giraud, the
intrepid French traveller, who had been in command of an
expedition sent out by his Government with a view to
explore the little known regions surrounding Lake Bang-
weolo. Lieutenant Giraud’s expedition was successfully
accomplished; but through intimidation by Arabs his
Wangwana followers, from Zanzibar, had, with the exception
of six who remained faithful, deserted him on the
shores of Lake Tanganyika, carrying off his guns and
stores. Procuring assistance at the Belgian station, under
M. Storms (whom I have seen mentioned in English newspapers
as the Emperor of Tanganyika !) Lieutenant Giraud
made his way to Karonga, at the north end of Nyassa,
where he had embarked on board of the Ilala.
The other members of the party were the captain, who
was a German named Fredericks (since dead through
climatic effects), and the engineer, Mr. W. Harkess, a Scot,
to whom I am indebted for many favours and not a little
information.
They had put into Livingstonia Bay owing to their
running short of wood, hence my never-to-be-forgotten
stroke of good fortune.
I must not omit to say a word about Mara, who had
bidden me “ Adeus!” with much fuss, shuffling of feet
and clapping of hands, his face all the while being as
round and radiant as the full moon. Sincere satisfaction
fills my breast when I look back upon the turn of fortune
which enabled me to send him and his comrades with
lighter hearts and heavier loads back towards Urongwe,
bearing also the news to da Costa that I had at last been
LIEUTENANT? V. GIRAUD.
taken away by the white men of the lake, Mara would be
in a position to tell the true story of my experiences; of
the misadventure with the Angoni and the long delay.
Just as we were embarking in the small boat, an odd
occurrence had taken place, several boys running down to
the beach to tell us that a number of Angoni had been seen
in the village without their shields, pretending that their
mission was to sell some chickens; but it is beyond doubt
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