Page:Livingstone in Africa.djvu/85

Rh Under a tamarind; and I lean my head Upon my hand to offer up a prayer. Silence is all around me in the noon— Yet only for a little—then I hear Footsteps approaching; timidly one peers, And sees me by the tent-pole; first the one, Then more, have push'd the canvas fold aside; Falling npon me like repentant children, Sobbing, with tears they pray to be forgiven: "We never meant it! We will never leave thee! "Our own kind Father! be of better cheer! "Where'er thou leadest, we will follow thee!"

And that poor African, who when I sail'd For England supplicated to be taken! It was with bleeding heart I said him nay. I told him he would perish of the cold In my bleak country, but he sobb'd with tears: "O let me come, and perish at your feet!" Sebweku had a stronger claim than he. Alas! Sebweku! The sea was rolling mountains high, when all