Bible, whilst Captain Borrow would tell about his early life. His
son "had no idea that he knew and had seen so much; my respect for
him increased, and I looked upon him almost with admiration. His
anecdotes were in general highly curious; some of them related to
people in the highest stations, and to men whose names are closely
connected with some of the brightest glories of our native land."
{38a}

At last John arrived, apparently a little disillusioned with the
world; but the coming of his favourite son produced no change for the
better in Captain Borrow s health. He was content and happy that God
had granted his wish. There remained nothing now to do but "to bless
my little family and go." George learned "that it is possible to
feel deeply and yet make no outward sign."

The end came on the morning of 28th February 1824. It was by a
strange chance that the old man should die in the arms of his younger
son, who had run down on hearing his mother's anguished screams.
Borrow has given a dramatic account of his father's last moments:-


"At the dead hour of night, it might be about two, I was awakened
from sleep by a cry which sounded from the room immediately below
that in which I slept. I knew the cry, it was the cry of my mother,
and I also knew its import; yet I made no effort to rise, for I was
for the moment paralysed. Again the cry sounded, yet still I lay
motionless--the stupidity of horror was upon me. A third time, and
it was then that, by a violent effort bursting the spell which
appeared to bind me, I sprang from the bed and rushed downstairs. My
mother was running wildly about the room; she had awoke and found my