village, built on a rising ground, about five miles to the south-east
of Soccatoo. The body was then taken from the camel's back, and placed
in a shed, whilst the slaves were digging the grave; which being quickly
done, it was conveyed close to it. I then opened a prayer-book, and,
amid showers of tears, read the funeral service over the remains of
my valued master. Not a single person listened to this peculiarly
distressing ceremony, the slaves being at some distance, quarrelling and
making a most indecent noise the whole of the time it lasted. This being
done, the union-jack was taken off, and the body was slowly lowered into
the earth, and I wept bitterly as I gazed for the last time upon all
that remained of my generous and intrepid master. The pit was speedily
filled, and I returned to the village, about thirty yards to the east of
the grave, and giving the most respectable inhabitants, both male and
female, a few trifling presents, entreated them to let no one disturb
its sacred contents, I also gave them 2,000 cowries to build a house,
four feet high, over the spot, which they promised to do. I then
returned, disconsolate and oppressed, to my solitary habitation, and
leaning my head on my hand, could not help being deeply affected with my
lonesome and dangerous situation; a hundred and fifteen days' journey
from the sea-coast, surrounded by a selfish and cruel race of strangers,
my only friend and protector mouldering in his grave, and myself
suffering dreadfully from fever. I felt, indeed, as if I stood alone in
the world, and earnestly wished I had been laid by the side of my dear
master: all the trying evils I had endured never affected me half so
much as the bitter reflections of that distressing period. After a
sleepless night, I went alone to the grave, and found that nothing had
been done, nor did there seem the least inclination on the part of the
inhabitants of the village to perform their agreement. Knowing it would
be useless to remonstrate with them, I hired two slaves at Soccatoo the
next day, who went immediately to work, and the house over the grave