DEATH OF ANOTHER KROOMAN. 267 



fathoms where it was impassable for boats in 

 December. 



On the 18th, my cook, " Jack Sabe," a Kroo- 

 man, died, with similar symptoms to those that 

 appeared upon the two others ; viz. a burning 

 pain in the pit of the stomach, excessive thirst 

 and debility, with swellings of the body and ex- 

 tremities. Mr. Oldfield examined the body, but 

 by no inducement could the Kroomen be per- 

 suaded to allow it to be opened. I have no 

 doubt in my own mind that the deaths of these 

 three Kroomen, and that of old Pascoe, were 

 occasioned by poison, administered to them by 

 the natives. The body, immediately after death, 

 becomes putrid, and seems ready to burst, as a 

 dark-coloured offensive fluid oozed from the 

 mouth and nose. 



Mr. Lander having determined to endeavour 

 to reach Boussa in the Alburkah, fixed his de- 

 parture for the 27th ; and though very anxious 

 myself to visit a place hallowed by the melan- 

 choly fate of Mungo Park, I did not consider 

 myself justified in returning, and, for the reasons 

 before mentioned, adhered to my determination 

 to lay the vessel up at Fernando Po and return 

 to England. On my informing Mr. Lander of 



