author's relapse of fever. 135 



greater to get them to draw the fires. At the 

 expense of scalding my feet and hands a little, 

 I got down to the safety-valve and blew off the 

 steam^ and by that means saved the boiler, as 

 the water was nearly blown out, and the pressure 

 would have destroyed the flues. The exertion 

 and excitement were too much for me, and I felt 

 that I was about to have a relapse. I sent the 

 boat to Mr. Lander, who determined to proceed 

 to the junction of the Shary and Niger, and, 

 should he find water sufficient, to return for us. 

 Having taken some goods on board the Alburkah, 

 he proceeded up the river in her, leaving me at 

 anchor. I had a smart return of fever, with in- 

 tense pain in the head and other symptoms 

 which gave me fair warning of what I had to ex- 

 pect ; and it was distressing to me to see Hector 

 in the same state. 



By the morning of the 24th, I was again 

 better, and for the three preceding days had 

 been rapidly recovering from my last attack ; 

 but I had again been reduced by it, and Dr. 

 Briggs told me he had given up hopes of my 

 recovery, particularly as I had refused to take 

 any medicine. I joked the Doctor a little about 

 doing without his assistance. During this at- 



