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
and indeed every heavy article you can conveniently part with;
give them to Malam Mudey, who will take care of them. The wages I
agreed to give you my agents will pay, as well as the sum government
allowed me for a servant; you will of course receive it, as Columbus
has never served me. Remark what towns or villages you pass through;
pay attention to whatever the chiefs may say to you, and put it on
paper. The little money I have, and all my clothes, I leave you:
sell the latter, and put what you may receive for them into your
pocket; and if, on your journey, you should be obliged to expend it,
government will repay you on your return.” I said, as well as my
agitation would permit me, “If it be the will of God to take you,
you may rely on my faithfully performing, as far as I am able, all
that you have desired; but I trust the Almighty will spare you, and
you will yet live to see your country.” “I thought I should at
one time, Richard,” continued he; “but all is now over; I shall
not be long for this world: but God’s will be done.” He then took
my hand betwixt his, and looking me full in the face, while a tear
stood glistening in his eye, said, in a low but deeply affecting
tone, “My dear Richard, if you had not been with me, I should
have died long ago; I can only thank you, with my latest breath,
for your kindness and attachment to me, and if I could have lived
to return with you, you should have been placed beyond the reach of
want; but God will reward you.” This conversation occupied nearly
two hours, in the course of which my master fainted several times,
and was distressed beyond measure. The same evening he fell into
a slumber, from which he awoke in much perturbation, and said he
had heard with much distinctness the tolling of an English funeral
bell: I entreated him to be composed, and observed that sick people
frequently fancy they hear and see things which can possibly have
no existence. He made no reply.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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