The reply of Mrs. Moffat to her son-in-law’s letter was touching and beautiful.  “I do thank you for the detail you have given us of the circumstances of the last days and hours of our lamented and beloved Mary, our first-born, over whom our fond hearts first beat with parental affection!” She recounts the mercies that were mingled with the trial—­though Mary could not be called eminently pious, she had the root of the matter in her, and though the voyage of her life had been a trying and stormy one, she had not become a wreck.  God had remembered her; had given her during her last year the counsels of faithful men—­referring to her kind friend and valued counselor, the Rev. Professor Kirk, of Edinburgh, and the Rev. Dr. Stewart, of Lovedale—­and, at last, the great privilege of dying in the arms of her husband.  “As for the cruel scandal that seems to have hurt you both so much, those who said it did not know you as a couple.  In all our intercourse with you, we never had a doubt as to your being comfortable together.  I know there are some maudlin ladies who insinuate, when a man leaves his family frequently, no matter how noble is his object, that he is not comfortable at home.  But we can afford to smile at this, and say, ’The Day will declare it.’...

“Now my dear Livingstone, I must conclude by assuring you of the tender interest we shall ever feel in your operations.  It is not only as the husband of our departed Mary and the father of her children, but as one who has laid himself out for the emancipation of this poor wretched continent, and for opening new doors of entrance for the heralds of salvation (not that I would not have preferred your remaining in your former capacity).  I nevertheless rejoice in what you are allowed to accomplish.  We look anxiously for more news of you, and my heart bounded when I saw your letters the other day, thinking they were new.  May our gracious God and Father comfort your sorrowful heart.—­Believe me ever your affectionate mother, “MARY MOFFAT.”

CHAPTER XV.

LAST TWO YEARS OF THE EXPEDITION.

A.D. 1862-1863.

Livingstone again buckles on his armor—­Letter to Waller—­Launch of “Lady Nyassa”—­Too late for season—­He explores the Rovuma—­Fresh activity of the slave-trade—­Letter to Governor of Mozambique about his discoveries—­Letter to Sir Thomas Maclear—­Generous offer of a party of Scotchmen—­The Expedition proceeds up Zambesi with “Lady Nyassa” in tow—­Appalling desolations of Marianne—­Tidings of the Mission—­Death of Scudamore—­of Dickenson—­of Thornton—­Illness of Livingstone—­Dr. Kirk and Charles Livingstone go home—­He proceeds northward with Mr. Rae and Mr. E.D.  Young of the “Gorgon”—­Attempt to carry a boat over the rapids—­Defeated—­Recall of the Expedition—­Livingstone’s views—­Letter to Mr. James Young—­to Mr. Waller—­Feeling of the Portuguese Government—­Offer to the