rty being carried off. He was conveyed to an open shed,
where he was guarded by two servants of the lieutenant-governor. His
servants were also seized, but ultimately set at liberty that they might
attend on him. He was liberated, however, the next day by the arrival
of Hacik, whose friendship he had formed at Bakada, and who promised
that he should without further difficulty visit the capital.

On the 27th of April Mas-ena, the capital, appeared beyond a fine extent
of verdure. He had a good house provided for him, and numbers of people
came to visit him; among them was Faki Sambo, who was totally blind. He
had travelled much and was well versed in Arabic literature, having read
even portions of Aristotle and Plato, translated into Arabic. The
doctor had many interesting conversations with this wonderfully
well-informed man.

The lieutenant-governor, however, grew suspicious of the traveller, as
did many of the people. He had a narrow escape by being called in to
visit a sick man, when, convinced that his illness was serious, he
refused to give any medicine. The man died a few days afterwards, and
his death would, had he done as he was asked, have been attributed by
the savage people to him.

On the 6th of July the caravan from Fezzan arrived, bringing despatches
from Kukawa, sent out from England, authorising him to carry on the
objects of the expedition on a more extensive scale, while means were
placed at his disposal for doing so. It was hoped in England that he
and his companion would be able to cross the unknown region of
equatorial Africa and reach the south-east coast; but, as the state of
his health made this impossible, he was glad to find that Lord
Palmerston suggested he should endeavour to reach Timbuctoo. To this
plan, therefore, he turned his attention. He, however, found it very
difficult to leave the city. The sultan, after some time, gave him an
audience; that is to say, the doctor saw him, but the great man did not
allow himself to be seen. Earth presented his gifts, and received in
return, at his request, a supply of the manufactures of the country,
instead of a female slave and a white camel, which the sultan offered
him. He heard that the sultan entertained the fear that he might poison
or kill him by a charm, and that he had repeatedly consulted his learned
men, or councillors, how he should protect himself against his
witchcraft.

After repeated delays, on the 10th of August he