his head, in order
to shave the other. As soon as it was done, he desired me to fetch him a
looking-glass which hung on the other side of the hut. On seeing himself
in it, he observed that he looked quite as ill at Bornou, on his former
journey: and as he had borne his disorder so long a time, he might yet
recover. On the following day he still fancied himself getting better.
I began to flatter myself, also, that he was considerably improved. He
eat a bit of hashed guinea-fowl in the day, which he had not done before
since his illness, deriving his sole sustenance from a little fowl-soup
and milk and water. On the morning of the 13th, however, being awake,
I was much alarmed by a peculiar rattling noise, proceeding from my
master's throat, and his breathing was loud and difficult; at the same
instant he called out, "Richard!" in a low and hurried tone. I was
immediately at his side, and was astonished at seeing him sitting
upright in his bed, and staring wildly around. I held him in my arms,
and placing his head gently on my left shoulder, gazed a moment on his
pale and altered features; some indistinct expressions quivered on his
lips; he strove, but ineffectually, to give them utterance, and expired
without a struggle or a sigh. When I found my poor master so very ill,
I called out with all my strength, "O God, my master is dying!" which
brought Pascoe and Mudey into the apartment. Shortly after the breath
had left his body, I desired Pasco to fetch some water, with which I
washed the corpse. I then got Pascoe and Mudey to assist me in taking it
outside of the hut, laid it on a clean mat, and wrapped it in a sheet
and blanket. Leaving it in this state two hours, I put a large clean mat
over the whole, and sent a messenger to Sultan Bello, to acquaint him of
the mournful event, and ask his permission to bury the body after the
manner of my own country, and also to know in what particular place
his remains were to be interred. The messenger soon returned with the
sultan's consent to the former part of my request; and about twelve
o'clock at noon of the same day a person came into my hut, accompanied
by four slaves, sent by Bello to dig the grave. I was desired to follow
them with the corpse. Accordingly, I saddled my camel, and putting
the body on its back, and throwing a union-jack over it, I bade them
proceed. Travelling at a slow pace, we halted at Jungavie, a small
village, built on a rising ground, about five miles