Rev. Dr. Stewart—­Great discouragements—­Why did he not go home?—­Proceeds to explore Nyassa—­Risks and sufferings—­Occupation of his mind—­Natural History—­Obliged to turn back—­More desolation—­Report of his murder—­Kindness of Chinsamba—­Reaches the ship—­Letter from Bishop Tozer, abandoning the Mission—­Distress of Livingstone—­Letter to Sir Thomas Maclear—­Progress of Dr. Stewart—­Livingstonia—­Livingstone takes charge of the children of the Universities Mission—­Letter to his daughter—­Retrospect—­The work of the Expedition—­Livingstone’s plans for the future.

It could not have been easy for Livingstone to buckle on his armor anew.  How he was able to do it at all may be inferred from some words of cheer written by him at the time to his friend Mr. Waller:  “Thanks for your kind sympathy.  In return, I say, Cherish exalted thoughts of the great work you have undertaken.  It is a work which, if faithful, you will look back on with satisfaction while the eternal ages roll on their everlasting course.  The devil will do all he can to hinder you by efforts from without and from within; but remember Him who is with you, and will be with you alway.”

As soon as he was able to brace himself, he was again at his post, helping to put the “Lady Nyassa” together and launch her.  This was achieved by the end of June, greatly to the wonder of the natives, who could not understand how iron should swim.  The “Nyassa” was an excellent steamboat, and could she have been got to the lake would have done well.  But, alas! the rainy season had passed, and until December this could not be done.  Here was another great disappointment.  Meanwhile, Dr. Livingstone resolved to renew the exploration of the Rovuma, in the hope of finding a way to Nyassa beyond the dominion of the Portuguese.  This was the work in which he had been engaged at the time when he went with Bishop Mackenzie to help him to settle.

The voyage up the Rovuma did not lead to much.  On one occasion they were attacked, fiercely and treacherously, by the natives.  Cataracts occurred about 156 miles from the mouth, and the report was that farther up they were worse.  The explorers did not venture beyond the banks of the rivers, but so far as they saw, the people were industrious, and the country fertile, and a steamer of light draft might carry on a very profitable trade among them.  But there was no water-way to Nyassa.  The Rovuma came from mountains to the west, having only a very minute connection with Nyassa.  It seemed that it would be better in the meantime to reach the lake by the Zambesi and the Shire, so the party returned.  It was not till the beginning of 1863 that they were able to renew the ascent of these rivers.  Livingstone writes touchingly to Sir Roderick, in reference to his returning to the Zambesi:  “It may seem to some persons weak to feel a chord vibrating to the dust of her who rests on the banks of the Zambesi, and think that the path by that river is consecrated by her remains.”