416 CONDUCT OF THE KROOMEN. 



in question had felt indisposed for some time : 

 he complained of vomiting, a burning sensation 

 at the pit of the stomach, thirst, debility, and 

 occasional involuntary stools. His whole frame 

 was very much swollen, particularly the legs and 

 lower extremities. Having mentioned it to Mr. 

 Laird, I went with the determination of examin- 

 ing the body. I found the Kroomen engaged in 

 sewing up the corpse : I mentioned the motives 

 of my visit, but met with a firm and decisive re- 

 fusal. I expostulated, but they continued their 

 work. I requested them to allow me to examine 

 the face, and I would be satisfied ; but this like- 

 wise they refused. Finding entreaties vain, I 

 proceeded forcibly to remove the cloth from the 

 face of the deceased. The body appeared very 

 much discoloured, and presented a ghastly livid 

 and appalling appearance, more so from being 

 deeply pitted with the small-pox : a dark- 

 coloured fluid was oozing from each angle of the 

 mouth. I strongly suspect that the poor fellow 

 died from ulceration of the stomach, having 

 doubtless swallowed something of a poisonous 

 and deleterious nature. 



I now learnt that the Quorra was going to the 

 sea-side, and not the Alburkah, as I had ex- 



