Journal of a second expedition into the interior of Africa, from the Bight of Benin to Soccatoo : $b To which is added, the journal of Richard Lander from Kano to the sea-coast, partly by a more eastern route.Clapperton, Hugh
History
Journal of a second expedition into the interior of Africa, from the Bight of Benin to Soccatoo : $b To which is added, the journal of Richard Lander from Kano to the sea-coast, partly by a more eastern route.
Clapperton, Hugh
Sudan (Region) -- Description and travel
Sunday, 29th.—Saw the sultan this morning, who was sitting in
the inner apartment of his house, with the Arabic copy of Euclid
before him, which I had given to him as a present. He said that
his family had a copy of Euclid brought by one of their relations,
who had procured it in Mecca; that it was destroyed when part of
his house was burnt down last year; and he observed, that he could
not but feel very much obliged to the king of England for sending
him so valuable a present. After a few general questions, I retired
with the Gadado; and when we arrived at his house, and were seated,
I again expressed my anxious desire that he would give me a copy of
the letter which had been sent from the Sheik of Bornou, as it was
of some importance to me to be guided as to my choice of the road I
was to take on my return home. The Gadado said he was not aware of
any letter having been sent; that it was very wrong in Sidi Sheik to
have told me such a story; said he must have made a mistake; but,
to relieve me from any uneasiness on that score, he would inquire
into the truth, and let me know to-morrow.
Monday, 30th.—I had been so ill all night with the pain in my side
that I had no rest whatever. At noon the Gadado came to say that he
would go with me to the sultan. Though very ill, I went; and we were
immediately shown into the apartment of the sultan, who was reading:
but when we entered, he laid down his book, and began of his own
accord about the letter. He observed, that a letter had certainly
come to him, but not with the Sheik’s signature; that it appeared,
however, the letter had been written, with the Sheik’s sanction, by
that holy man Hadgi Mohamed Bootabli; and that he was desired to say
I was a spy, and that he would not allow me to go beyond Soccatoo;
hinting, at the same time, that it would be better I should die,
as the English had taken possession of all India by first going
there by ones and twos, until we got strong enough to seize upon
the whole country. And thus ended our interview.
Tuesday, 31st.—I was much better this morning, and the swelling
and pain in my side much less, a dose of calomel I took having done
its duty; but I thought it advisable not to stir out all day. The
sultan and Gadado sent to me to know how I was.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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