120 ACROSS AFRICA. [Chap. 



September, a sliort waj out, in order to see all right for marching ; and all 

 is'^^- the pagazi declare they are afraid, I think I am past the fever 

 here now, as, although I have had it six times, the last attacks 

 have been getting lighter; and the only thing bothering me 

 now is my right eye, which is a good deal inflamed, but I think 

 is getting better. I think it was caused by the constant glare 

 and dust round the house. 



'''■September dOth. — Here I am still, trying to make a prelimi- 

 nary start, but not one of my pagazi will come in ; at least I 

 can't get more than a dozen together out of one hundred and 

 thirty I have engaged, and I can't manage much with them. 

 I am still greatly bothered with my eye, as, if I use the other 

 much, it brings on pain. 



" October \Mli. — Just able to try and write again, but I have 

 been quite blind, and very bad with fever since my last words. 

 I have been more pulled down by the latter than by any I have 

 had before, and was feeling very much as if I should like to be 

 with you all for a day or two I am in great hopes of get- 

 ting out of here soon now. Dillon is more alive, and growling 



at not getting away I am writing this bit by bit, as my 



eyes allow me, so don't expect much coherence or sense in the 

 epistle " 



In a letter to Mr. Clements Markham, I wrote : 



^''September Ihth. — We have all been down with fever since 

 we have been here, but are now pulling round again. It is a 

 great nuisance, as the fever makes me lose my lunars. I tried, 

 directly I was able, to think to get some, but was so shaky and 

 dazed it was utterly impossible. 



" Since I wrote the foregoing, I have been down with fever, 

 but am now, thank God, clear of it. We are waiting for a few 

 pagazi, and putting our donkeys' saddle-bags to rights prior to 

 starting for Ujiji, which I find can be reached in twenty-two 

 marches, or about thirty days. I am afraid Dillon nnist go 

 back, as he is getting quite blind — in fact, the last day or two 

 he has been quite unable to read or write. One eye was affect- 

 ed first ; and, now the other is going, he ought decidedly, in my 

 opinion, to go back, and I have strongly advised him so to do. 



^^Septemher 20th. — It is something dreadful this waiting here. 

 Here is the 20th of September, and I am bothered still by the 



