Graham's Magazine, Vol. XL, No. 5, May 1852Various
General
Graham's Magazine, Vol. XL, No. 5, May 1852
Various
Literature -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals
A touching incident is mentioned by Mungo Park as having occurred whilst
he, friendless and forlorn, was pursuing his weary journeyings far in
the interior of Africa. The simple narrative tells its own tale of
accumulated misery:—“July 29th. Early in the morning my landlord
observing that I was sickly, hurried me away, sending a servant with me
as a guide to Kea. But though I was little able to walk, my horse was
still less able to carry me, and about six miles to the east of Modibor,
in crossing some rough, clayey ground, he fell; and the united strength
of the guide and myself could not place him again upon his legs. I sat
down for some time beside this worn-out associate of my adventures; but,
finding him still unable to rise, I took off the saddle and bridle, and
placed a quantity of grass before him. I surveyed the poor animal as he
lay panting on the ground, with sympathetic emotion, for I could not
suppress the sad apprehension that I should myself in a short time lie
down and perish in the same manner, of fatigue and hunger. With this
foreboding I left my poor horse, and with great reluctance I followed my
guide on foot along the bank of the river until about noon, when we
reached Kea, which I found to be nothing more than a small
fishing-village.”
Torn with doubt and perplexity, heavy of heart and weary in body, the
unhappy traveler returned westward to Modiboo, after two days’
journeying in company with a negro carrying his horse accoutrements.
“Thus conversing,” says he, “we traveled in the most friendly manner
until, unfortunately, we perceived the footsteps of a lion quite fresh
in the mud near the river side. My companion now proceeded with great
circumspection, and at last, coming to some thick underwood, he insisted
that I should walk before him. I endeavored to excuse myself by alleging
that I did not know the road, but he obstinately persisted; and after a
few high words and menacing looks, threw down the saddle and went away.
This very much disconcerted me, for as I had given up all hopes of
obtaining a horse, I could not think of encumbering myself with a
saddle; and taking off the stirrups and girths, I threw the saddle into
the river. The Negro no sooner saw me throw the saddle into the water
than he came running from among the bushes where he had concealed
himself, jumped into the river, and by help of his spear brought out the
saddle, and ran away with it. I continued my course along the bank, but
as the wood was remarkably thick, and I had reason to believe that a
lion was at no great distance, I became much alarmed, and took a long
circuit through the bushes to avoid him. About four in the afternoon I
reached Modiboo, where I found my saddle; the guide, who had got there
before me, being afraid that I should inform the king of his conduct,
had brought the saddle with him in a canoe. While I was conversing with
the dooty, and remonstrating with the guide for having left me in such a
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account