THE LIVINGSTONE EXPEDITION.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2666, 11 April 1868, Page 5

THE LIVINGSTONE EXPEDITION.

The return of the expedition sent in quest of Dr. Livingstone has proved that the reported death of thafc celebrated African explorer was untrue. At a meeting of the Koyal Geographical Society on Monday evening last, an interesting outline of the proceedings of the expedition was given by Mr Young, the leader of that brave party who volunteered to %o into the interior of Africa, to ascertain whether the intelligence of Livingstone's death was true or false. The explorers left Simon's Town in the middle of July, and on reaching Lake Nyassa, they were driven by a gale into a small bay, were they found a native, who reported to them that a white man, about eight or ten months previously, had been there. Captain Faulkner and the rest of the expedition feared at first that the news was too good to be true, and it was resolved to endeavor 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 with a largo party of native fishermen, and, on communicating with them, received a similar account to that which had previously been given them. These people described the dress and general appearance of the " white man" which tallied very closely indeed with those of Dr. Livingstone. These men having been shown some surveying instruments, appeared to recognise and to understand the use of them. One of them produced a spoon, and a second a knife, which they had received* as presents from Dr Livingstone. As a further test, Captain Faulkner Exhibited a case of photographs, and, without any hesitation, that of Dr Livingstone was recognised as the picture of the white man. This gave the searching party increased confidence, and they proceeded on to the crossing place. Mr Young says, " During our passage up the river, we heard several reports that a white man, twelve months before, had stopped at Maponda for some time, having crossed from the opposite side, and that, after resting there some time, he had gone on in a westerly direction. I now felt almost convinced that it must have been Livingstone, bufc I almost feared to stop there ; for I felt certain, had the Makololo been satisfied that ifc was him, they would have gone no farther ; for my agreement with them was that, as soon as we had satisfactory evidence thafc the Doctor had gone on in safety, or that he had been killed in the way described by the Johanna men, that I would return with them immediately. But now, as it appeared thafc he had passed over the south end of Nyassa instead of the north, I wanted to find out where he had first struck the lake." They afterwards arrived at the Arab settlement, where they were kindly received, and found all they had heard before was quite correct. Livingstone waited at this place nine or ten days for the Arab boat, which did not arrive, so he started south again, and they traced him to Maponda. They visited the house Livingstone lived in during his stay, and purchased a few articles (all English make) that he had traded with, such as small looking glasses, a knife, razor, and iron spoons. Of course most of the calicoes were already worn oufc, bufc the chief still possessed an Indian manufactured scarf that Livingstone had presented to him on leaving. They obtained other trifling articles, in the shape of barter goods, and, while waiting for tho return of the Makalolo, obtained from the chief further south, an English Common Prayer Book, which he stated had been left behind by the Englishman in the house he slept at. At several other points the natives stated thafc they had seen the white man, and they all maintained that he had travelled on townrds Loangwa. On the 19th of Sept. Marenga was reached, and on landing, the natives, as soon as they were told we were English, gave us a hearty welcome. Mr Young asked at once to see Marenga, when he was conducted up to his house by one of his wives. Marenga rushed towards him, and seizing him by the hand, shook it heartily, saying, " Where have you come from, and where is your brother that was here Inst year ?" As soon as he told him he had come to follow him, he said that he had come there from Maponda, had stopped there two days ; he was very kind to him, making him presents, and he in return gave him what food he required. Livingstone gave him medicine, which was done up in doses. Tho paper he used was part of a Nautical Almanac for the year 1866. He had seen him before ; he said ho saw him when he was up here with a boat a long time ago. He traced him for more than a month's journey off, giving the names of the places in regular order. Marenga stated that the Johanna men returned after being absent two days. They gave as their reason for returning that they had only agreed with Livingstone to take his goods as far as they liked. Captain Faulkner and Mr Young regarded this information as conclusive, but with the view of discovering the position of Maponda's settlement, they proceeded on farther. Maponda was 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 returned. The mother of the chief further produced a prayer-book containing the name of one of the doctor's followers, who had been h»ft behind on account of lameness. The Johanna men had represented this boy, who was named Waikatanee, as having deserted. She swore, in the presence of all, that the Maponda did not take any of their guns, neither did any of the parly die there. She stated that tho Englishman was great friends with her sons, and that if any one had molested him, they would have gone to war with him. Marenga also told them the same, and they felt convinced had he died there they would have heard of it from some of the numbers who had been questioned on the subject. 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 tho 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 passed safely 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 arrived at Simon's Town, en route to England. We must congratulate Mr Young on the successful termination of his labors, which were carried out with a degree of perseverance which fully showed how deeply interested he was in his mission, and we hope he will receive some substantial reward for. the valuable services he has rendered. Anxiously we look for tidings of Livingstone, now, we trust, on his homeward journey, and a hearty and enthusiastic reception will assuredly be given the illustrious traveller, directly he sets his foot on British soil. l