Travels Of Richard And John Lander Into The Interior Of Africa For The Discovery Of The Course And Termination Of The Niger By Robert Huish
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The Two Survivors Of
This Ill-Fated Party Were Themselves Reduce To The Lowest State Of
Debility, And The Only Prospect Before Them, Was That Of Probably
Following, In A Few Days, Their Lamented Companion.
"And now, for the
first time in all our distresses," says Captain Lyon, "my hopes did
indeed fail me.
Belford, as well as he was able, hastened to form a
rough coffin out of their chests, while the washers of the dead came
to perform their melancholy office. The protestant burial service was
read over the body, in secret, during the night, and on the next day,
the remains were committed to the grave. At the grave, it was deemed
necessary to keep up the farce of Mahommadism, by publicly reciting
the first chapter of the Koran, which the most serious Christian
would consider as a beautiful and applicable form on such an
occasion."
Within an hour after the funeral, a courier arrived from Tripoli,
announcing that a further allowance of L1,000 had been made by the
British government towards the expenses of the expedition. Had this
welcome intelligence reached them a little sooner, many of their
distresses would have been prevented. The efforts and mental
exertions which the survivors of the party had undergone, proved,
however, too much for their strength, and, for ten days, both were
again confined to their beds. During this time, they were most
humanely attended by Yusuf and Haji Mahmoud, and by a little girl,
who was their principal nurse.
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