very thought sent a glow of warmth through me, in spite of
the bitter wind. Our shelter was very scant. Large fires
had disappeared, like other luxuries of the past, for wood
was exceedingly scarce, maize roots and stalks forming the
chief kindlings.
When the shivering and shaking night had passed, the
unimposing caravan wended its way among the foot-slopes
of the mountains, hidden by the dark shadows of towering
p.liffg. On our left lay immeasurable plains which had just
caught the first bright smile of morning, while a bleak and
wild landscape opened out far to the westward.
We passed a number of small fields which bore the
appearance of having been irrigated to a small extent, for
narrow ditches from tiny rivulets led to patches of arable
land. Here and there the ground was dotted with short
young grasses which, when touched by the glancing sunbeams,
gave a refreshing charm to the otherwise barren
scene. Pretty flowers, pink and purple, gemmed the
smiling greensward, giving a bright welcome to the opening
day.
A number of miles were scored during that morning, and
in time we reached a deep rent in the mountains. The
pathway here turned sharply to the right, and it was with
joy unspeakable that I turned my face in the direction of
the rising sun.
Walking under the dark shades of the sombre rocks,
every step and every turn in the tortuous path showed
varied views. Cloud-capped peaks in their rough grandeur
contrasted with yawning chasms, which were lost in the
profound blackness of lifeless hollows. No sound was heard
save the sweet but monotonous murmuring of mountain
rivulets, rushing on to mingle their rippling waters with
the larger streams which flow singing to the great lake.
At length the region of rocks is passed. Peaks, caverns,
chasms, and yawning cañons havè vanished from our view.
We stand on the eastern slopes of the Manganja range, and
feast our eyes upon the vast expanse clothed with interminable
forest, lifeless to the view were it not that here and
there vultures might be seen soaring high over the dreamy
Scene.
Yes, ’tis the land of the rising sun ! Far away in the
east the glistening sunbeams revealed the mirror-like lake
flashing in lines of dazzling silver between the woodland
banks and the rising mists. A thrill of joy electrified my
frame. At last! Hurrah for Nyassa—Nyassa, the great
inland sea !
In our rear the frowning mountains defiantly stopped
the sunlight ; in front the sylvan beauty of the voiceless
forest sloped in gentle undulations on to the silver sands of
the silent sea, which in the far distant horizon mingled
with white downy mists.
We are about to penetrate the stretching forest land.
What luck awaits us, what encouragement, what barriers ?
I became unconscious of my immediate surroundings ; my
human troubles and disappointments are, for the time being,
eclipsed bv the extreme grandeur of the prospect before us.
My mirfd wanders away over this wooded wonderland and
anticipates naught bút joy.
I think I hear the welcome words of friends echoing
across the quiet' waters, for through the far-off clouds my
thoughts Speed fleetly to linger on Livingstoiiia’s shore,
where stand the white brothers whom I have striven so hard
to reach. How near everything seems to be! But yet
many occasions have proved that time and distance are not
related in circumstances such as mine. Dépendance robs
me of the pleasures of calculation.
vol. ¡K M