Some Heroes of Travel: or, Chapters from the History of Geographical Discovery and EnterpriseAdams, W. H. Davenport (William Henry Davenport)
History
Some Heroes of Travel: or, Chapters from the History of Geographical Discovery and Enterprise
Adams, W. H. Davenport (William Henry Davenport)
Discoveries in geography; Explorers
Arriving at Sokotó and Vurno in the midst of the rainy season, Dr. Barth
was warmly welcomed by the Emir; but, with strength exhausted and health
broken, he could not profit by his kindness.
On the 17th of October he arrived at Kanó, where he had been long
expected; but neither money nor despatches had been forwarded for him—no
news from Europe had been received. Yet at Kanó he had arranged to pay
his servants, discharge his debts, and renew his credits, long since
exhausted. He pledged the little property remaining to him, including
his revolver, until he could obtain the cutlery and four hundred dollars
left at Zindu; but, alas! these had disappeared during recent intestine
commotions. Kanó must always be unhealthy for Europeans; and Dr. Barth,
in his enfeebled condition, acutely felt the ill effects of its climatic
conditions. His horses and camels fell ill, and he lost, among others,
the noble animal which for three years had shared all his fatigues.
Over every difficulty, every obstacle, that splendid energy which had
carried the great explorer to the Niger and Timbuktú ultimately
prevailed; and on the 24th of November he set out for Kúkáwa. In his
absence it had been the theatre of a revolution. A new ruler held the
reins of government, and Dr. Barth was doomed to encounter fresh
embarrassments. It was not until after a delay of four months that he
was able to resume the journey through the Fezzan. He followed this time
the direct route, by Bilma—the route formerly taken by the travellers,
Denham and Clapperton.
At the end of August he entered Tripoli, where he spent only four days.
By way of Malta he proceeded to Marseilles; and thence to Paris; arriving
in London on the 6th of September, 1855.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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