358 RETREAT FROM ASHANGO-LAND. Chap. XVIII. 



in my side ; I had no time to stop to take the arrow- 

 out, and the barbed head having gone through the 

 leather belt of my revolvers, the point was working 

 in my flesh every step I took, causing the most acute 

 torture. Had its force not been arrested by the 

 resistance of the leather, it would probably have 

 killed me. After I was struck, Igalo, the unfor- 

 tunate cause of all our woe, who kept close by me 

 during our flight, turned round and by a quick and 

 well directed shot laid the too-skilful bowman low. 

 The unfeigned sorrow and devotion of my men at 

 this juncture were most gratifying to me. I was 

 getting weak from loss of blood, and a burning thirst 

 was tormenting me. They asked what was to become 

 of them if I should die ? I told them to keep to- 

 gether, come what might ; and, if they escaped, to 

 deliver all my journals and papers to the white men. 

 Wherever we stopped for a few minutes during this 

 disastrous day, they came round me and asked me 

 how I felt, and what they could do for me. 



After I was wounded my strength began to fiiil 

 me, and I had myself to follow the example of my 

 men in throwing away things to lighten the load 

 I carried. To my great sorrow I had to throw into 

 the bush my beautiful double-barrelled breech-loading 

 rifle, a magnificent weapon, carrying a two and a 

 half ounces steel-pointed ball. My sorrow was the 

 greater inasmuch as it was a present from a dear 

 friend of mine, Mr. G. Bishop of Twickenham. 



We were still pursued, and another check was 

 necessary. Igala said, "I know I am going to die, 

 but let me kill a few of these fellows first." He 



