ECLIPSE OF THE MOON. 195 



8 P. M. and lasted upwards of two hours and 

 three-quarters ; but I had no time-keeper to note 

 the observation by. The darkness continued an 

 hour and a half, and the natives of English Is- 

 land and Iddah were very much alarmed, and 

 anxious in their inquiries as to what would be- 

 come of the moon. Several of the natives left 

 Iddah, and crossed over to the island to know 

 what I was doing ; many others were praying, 

 and repeating passages from the Koran. 



In the evening I gave the Kroomen some rum, 

 while I thought of distant friends, and wished 

 them all a merry Christmas. In consequence of 

 the heavy dews which fall during the night, I 

 had taken cold, and felt a stiffness throughout 

 my whole frame. 



The next day I was very unwell, and was 

 confined to my mat : and the day after, not 

 being much better, the king sent two eunuchs 

 to inquire after my health, and to make his 

 respects. 



On the following day (December 28th) at 

 8 A. M. Muzzah came down to say that Abboka 

 would be very happy to see me, and would be 

 down in about an hour. I waited patiently for 

 him until 12 o'clock, but he never came, and I 



o 2 



