“Wherever we took a walk, human skeletons were seen in every direction, and it was painfully interesting to observe the different postures in which the poor wretches had breathed their last.  A whole heap had been thrown down a slope behind a village, where the fugitives often crossed the river from the east; and in one hut of the same village no fewer than twenty drums had been collected, probably the ferryman’s fees.  Many had ended their misery under shady trees, others under projecting crags in the hills, while others lay in their huts with closed doors, which when opened disclosed the mouldering corpse with the poor rags round the loins, the skull fallen off the pillow, the little skeleton of the child, that had perished first, rolled up in a mat between two large skeletons.  The sight of this desert, but eighteen months ago a well-peopled valley, now literally strewn with human bones, forced the conviction upon us that the destruction of human life in the middle passage, however great, constitutes but a small portion of the waste, and made us feel that unless the slave-trade—­that monster iniquity which has so long brooded over Africa—­is put down, lawful commerce cannot be established.”

In passing up, Livingstone’s heart was saddened as he visited the Bishop’s grave, and still more by the tidings which he got of the Mission, which had now removed from Magomero to the low lands of Chibisa.  Some time before, Mr. Scudamore, a man greatly beloved, had succumbed, and now Mr. Dickenson was added to the number of victims.  Mr. Thornton, too, who left the Expedition in 1859, but returned to it, died under an attack of fever, consequent on too violent exertion undertaken in order to be of service to the Mission party.  Dr. Kirk and Mr. C. Livingstone were so much reduced by illness that it was deemed necessary for them to return to England.  Livingstone himself had a most serious attack of fever, which lasted all the month of May, Dr. Kirk remaining with him till he got over it.  When his brother and Dr. Kirk left, the only Europeans remaining with him were Mr. Rae, the ship’s engineer, and Mr. Edward D. Young, formerly of the “Gorgon,” who had volunteered to join the Expedition, and whose after services, both in the search for Livingstone and in establishing the mission of Livingstonia, were so valuable.  On the noble spirit shown by Livingstone in remaining in the country after all his early companions had left, and amid such appalling scenes as everywhere met him, we do not need to dwell.

Here are glimpses of the inner heart of Livingstone about this time: 

“1_st March_, 1863.—­I feel very often that I have not long to live, and say, ’My dear children, I leave you.  Be manly Christians, and never do a mean thing.  Be honest to men, and to the Almighty One.’”

     “10_th April_.—­Reached the Cataracts.  Very thankful indeed
     after our three months’ toil from Shupanga.”