THE LIVINGSTONE EXPEDITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1357, 23 March 1868, Page 3

THE LIVINGSTONE EXPEDITION.

(From the Cape Argus, Dec. 19th.) EETUEN OF MESSRS. TOUNG AND FAULKNEE. — SAFETY OF DE. LIVINGSTONE. Yesterday evening. Captain Faulkner, who it will be remembered proceeded with. Captain Young as a volunteer on the Livingstone searching expedition, arrived in Cape Town, and has obligingly furnished us with the following interesting particulars of the successful search after the traces of the distinguished explorer. It will be in tho recollection of our readers that the expedition left Simon's Town in th» middle of July, and that in Dr. Kirk's account of tho circumstances connected with the reported death of Dr. Livingstone it was said that the latter, having crossed the north end of Lake Nyassa, passed through villages named Makarta and subsequently Matarka, Maponda Marenga, and Maksowa. The searching party having reached Lake Nyassa were driven by a gale into a small bay, where they found a native who reported to them that a white man, about eight or ten months previously, had been there. Capt. Faulkner and the rest of tho expedition feared at first that the news was too good to bo true, and it was resolved to endeavour to reach a point higher up, at which there was an Arab crossing-place near Mont Mombo, a point about twenty miles from the spot at which the boat was anchored. In carrying this intention into effect, they fell in witli a large party of native fishermen, and on communicating with them received a similar account to that which had been previously given them. These people described the dress and appearance of the " whito man, which tallied pretty closely with those of Dr. Livingstone. These men having been shown some surveying instruments, appeared to recognize and to understand the use of them. One of them produced a spoon, and a second a knife, which they have received as presents from Dr. Livingstone. As a further test, Capt. Faulkner exhibited a case of photographs, and without any hesitation that of Dr. Livingstone was recognized as the picture of the whito man. This gave the searching party increased confidence, and they proceed on to the crossing place. On arriving there the same story was repeated, with the addition that the white manhad endeavoured to cross the lake, butfinding all the boats on the opposite side he went towards the south, and passed through the villages already named. The searching party then sailed across the lake, but obtaining no information, made for the south. They shortlyafterwards came across a large village, and here the same story was repeated. It is known that Marenga, the chief of the village of that name, was extremely civil to Livingtone, and so he was found to be by those in search of him. It appears that he ferried Dr. Livingstone across a lake forming an indentation in the banks of Nyassa, while he might have circled on foot at the cost of a detour. Marenga gave the searching party every information in his possession, and presented them with a very acceptable supply of fresh provisions. It will be remembered that it was at this point that the Johanna men abandoned Livingstone. While Livingstone went across the marsh, the natives skirted the margin, and on returning to the village reported they wero being led into a hostile country, and at once 1 made their way for the seaboard.

The last place named by Dr. Kirk, Maksowa, was two days' journey from Marenga. The chief of this village has been driven away, but a number of liis men were collected who had been employed to convey the baggage of Dr. Livingstone twenty miles further in a northwesterly direction. Both Captain Faulkner and Mr. Young regarded the information as conclusive, but with a view of discovering the position of Maponda's settlement, they proceeded on a little further. The village was found about a mile from the mouth of the Shire, Mapondawas away from the village on a trading expedition, but his mother, who was at home, informed the party that Dr. Livingstone had passed through there and that some of his party subsequently followed him. The mother of the chief iurtlier produced a book containing the name of one of Dr. Livingstone's followers, who had been left behind on account of lameness. The evidence which had been obtained at so many different points, and from such a number of witnesses, satisfied Mr. Young that the object they had in view had been obtained, and, acting upon the instructions issued to them, they resolved to return. There appeared not the slightest reason to doubt the substantial correctness of the information they had obtained, that Livingstone had safely passed through the most dangerous portion of his journey, and had made good his advance into the interior, with an apparent intention of descending the Nile into .Egypt. They accordingly descended the Shire, and in due time met with the Peterel, and returned to Simon's Town. Mr. Young and Captain Faulkner return to England immediately, and we are certain will there meet with a reception which the nature of their report and their own enterprise and courage entitle them to.