“After talking nearly the whole day we gave the old chief an ox, but he would not take it, but another.  I was grieved exceedingly to find that our people had become quite disheartened, and all resolved to return home.  All I can say has no effect.  I can only look up to God to influence their minds, that the enterprise fail not, now that we have reached the very threshold of the Portuguese settlements.  I am greatly distressed at this change, for what else can be done for this miserable land I do not see.  It is shut.  O Almighty God, help, help! and leave not this wretched people to the slave-dealer and Satan.  The people have done well hitherto, I see God’s good influence in it.  Hope He has left only for a little season.  No land needs the gospel more than this miserable portion.  I hope I am not to be left to fail in introducing it.”

On Wednesday morning, however, final arrangements were made, and the party passed on in peace.  Ten days later, again on a Sunday, they were once more pestered by a great man demanding dues.  Livingstone replied by simply defying him.  He might kill him, but God would judge.  And on the Monday they left peaceably, thankful for their deliverance, some of the men remarking, in view of it, that they were “children of Jesus,” and Livingstone thanking God devoutly for his great mercy.  Next day they were again stopped at the river Quango.  The poor Makololo had parted in vain with their copper ornaments, and Livingstone with his razors, shirts, etc.; yet he had made up his mind (as he wrote to the Geographical Society afterward) to part with his blanket and coat to get a passage, when a young Portuguese sergeant, Cypriano de Abrao, made his appearance, and the party were allowed to pass.

There were many proofs that, though a poor set of fellows, Livingstone’s own followers were animated with extraordinary regard for him.  No wonder!  They had seen how sincere he was in saying that he would die rather than give any of them up to captivity.  And all his intercourse with them had been marked by similar proofs of his generosity and kindness.  When the ox flung him into the river, about twenty of them made a simultaneous rush for his rescue, and their joy at his safety was very great.

Amid all that was discouraging in the present aspect of things, Livingstone could always look forward and rejoice in the good time coming: 

“Sunday 22d.—­This age presents one great fact in the Providence of God; missions are sent forth to all quarters of the world,—­missions not of one section of the Church, but of all sections, and from nearly all Christian nations.  It seems very unfair to judge of the success of these by the number of conversions which have followed.  These are rather proofs of the missions being of the right sort.  They show the direction of the stream which is set in motion by Him who rules the nations, and Is destined to overflow the world.