long cotton nets, which the natives make themselves, and use nearly
in the same manner as nets are used in Europe. I observed the head
of a crocodile lying upon one of the houses, which they told me had
been killed by the shepherds in a swamp near the town. These
animals are not uncommon in the Niger, but I believe they are not
oftentimes found dangerous. They are of little account to the
traveller when compared with the amazing swarms of mosquitoes, which
rise from the swamps and creeks in such numbers as to harass even
the most torpid of the natives; and as my clothes were now almost
worn to rags, I was but ill prepared to resist their attacks. I
usually passed the night without shutting my eyes, walking backwards
and forwards, fanning myself with my hat; their stings raised
numerous blisters on my legs and arms, which, together with the want
of rest, made me very feverish and uneasy.

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,