Scotland/Scots > Last years of Livingstone

THE LAST YEARS OF LIVINGSTONE. 177
He was well supplied with stores and medicines, but had
a presentiment that the attack would prove fatal. He
rode for a time on a donkey, and was then carried along
by men. In this manner he arrived at Muilala, beyond
Lake Bemba, in the Bisa country. Here he said, “ Build
me a hut to die in.” A hut was accordingly built by his
followers.
On the 1st of May, 1873, Livingstone was placed in
bed. He suffered greatly, groaning from pain night and
day. On the third day he said, “I feel very cold; put
more grass over the hut.” His followers could not speak
or go near him. Kitumbo, Chief of the Bisa country,
sent in flour and beans and behaved well towards the
explorer’s party.
On the fourth day Livingstone was insensible and died
about midnight. Majawara, bis servant, was present at
the moment of his decease. The last entry in Living¬
stone’s diary is under the date of April 27, 1873. He
spoke much and sadly of his home and family. When
he was first seized he told his followers that he intended
to exchange everything for ivory and to give it to them,
and then push on to Ujiji and Zanzibar and try to reach
England.
The same day on which his death occurred his followers
held a consultation on the subject of what was best to be
done. The Nassick boys determined to preserve his re¬
mains. They were afraid to inform the chief of his death,
and they secretly removed the body to another hut, and
built a high fence around it to insure privacy. They then