Travels in the Interior of Africa — Volume 02 — John Shaqi
Travels in the Interior of Africa — Volume 02Park, Mungo
History
Travels in the Interior of Africa — Volume 02
Park, Mungo
Africa -- Discovery and exploration; Niger River
_July_ 29.—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 Modiboo, 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 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. The dooty, a
surly old man, who was sitting by the gate, received me very coolly; and
when I informed him of my situation, and begged his protection, told me
with great indifference that he paid very little attention to fine
speeches, and that I should not enter his house. My guide remonstrated
in my favour, but to no purpose, for the dooty remained inflexible in his
determination. I knew not where to rest my wearied limbs, but was
happily relieved by a fishing canoe belonging to Silla, which was at that
moment coming down the river. The dooty waved to the fisherman to come
near, and desired him to take charge of me as far as Moorzan. The
fisherman, after some hesitation, consented to carry me, and I embarked
in the canoe in company with the fisherman, his wife, and a boy. The
negro who had conducted me from Modiboo now left me. I requested him to
look to my horse on his return, and take care of him if he was still
alive, which he promised to do.
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