A few more reaches and sweeping curves were passed,
and then over the tops of houses and huts we could see
the British flag waving. We had reached the village of
Mazaro.
First thoughts inclined to speculations as to the chances
there would be to get down to the coast, and there get a
steamer to South Africa. The Leviathan had now finished
her long journey; her crew were paid off. Contented in
mind, and full inside, they basked in the sunshine.
I explained the circumstances of my case to Mr. Lindsay,
the agent of the African Lakes Company»
“ Where is my friend, M. Giraud ? ” I inquired; has he
not arrived ? ”
“ No,” was the answer. ff We have seen no one but yourself
for a long time.”
I wondered what could have happened, but came to the
conclusion that he had been caught, and mayhap damaged
in the big storm.
“ I think you had better hurry on to Quillimane,” was
Mr. Lindsay’s advice, f if you wish to catch a steamer for
Natal.”
He kindly informed me that the Dunkeld was due very
soon, and that a steamer for Zanzibar touched at Quillimane,
and would go north in about three weeks. Mr. Lindsay
further stated that it would take five days, good going, to
reach Quillimane; that he had a good keel boat on the
Kwakwa river, about eight miles off, and that I could
have her next day if I wished. No time was to be lost,
M. Giraud and Miller turned up in the afternoon.
Every attention was given us by Mr. Lindsay, who
at once set about making preparations for our boats, of
which fortunately there were two, so that each of us could
be suited. My time was the most precious, for should I
miss the steamer, a whole month must elapse before another
chance would be offered.
The messenger who had been sent to the Kwakwa, to
prepare the boat and muster the crew, returned; and it
was at once arranged that under the circumstances it would
be wise for me, at least, to depart early on the following
morning.
Giraud, with thoughtful kindness, lent me the “ blue
man ’’—one of his Wangwana, who was always robed in
blue—who had been “ Through the Dark Continent ” with
the famous H. M. Stanley. With this man and with Fred,
the slave child of Livingstone, I felt quite distinguished.
There was a novelty in the circumstances which had a
marvellous charm, for in grim Africa the winds of chance
are fickle. I had been thrown among many sorts and conditions
of men, in many curious scenes and vicissitudes, to
be at last picked up by one who had come straight from
the last discovered lake of Livingstone, and now in company
with two followers of the two mightiest travellers of the
world I was to complete my journey to the sea! Eleven
moons had grown old and died during the course of my
wanderings.
Mandama, the boatmen’s village on the Kwakwa, was
reached soon after noon next day. There we lost an hour
in repairing the rudder.
The Kwakwa was very low, and the banks littered with
vegetable deposits rose high upon each side of the narrow,
alley-like waterway, which at some points was not a boat’s
length in breadth.
Work during the first two days was very tedious and
very hard upon the men, for the boat was grounding incessantly,
and all hands had to get out, so that with united
effort they might lift her along over the silt and shingle.
tt 2