256 FROM THE NIGER TO THE NILE 



went in and found that the man had shot himself through 

 the heart. 



In spite of the fast increasing weakness, my brother 

 still fought hard for life and gave no sign that he acknow- 

 ledged defeat, till a little while before the end, when he asked 

 me to give his theodolite to Talbot ; and almost the last 

 sentence I heard him say was, " A short life but a merry one." 



Death came quietly to him at the age of 26 in the evening 

 of November 13. 



When the sad news had struck the terrible blow at home, 

 if there was anything that brought comfort to his sorrowing 

 people it was the beautiful tribute in the following letter : 



" I should like to be allowed to place my sympathy with 

 the relatives of the late Captain Claud Alexander, whose 

 death in Fort Maifoni I mourn in common with all the 

 officers in this station. 



" It was my privilege to have medical charge of the late 

 Captain Alexander during his illness, and it is a very real 

 grief to me that this illness has ended fatally. 



" Captain Alexander during his illness showed a patience 

 and a degree of unselfishness, which in my experience is as 

 rare as it is beautiful. Never a murmur escaped his hps ; 

 and, during the time that he sojourned with us no one heard 

 any harsh word escape him — not even his 'boys.' 



" Courtesy and gentleness cannot fail to attract at any 

 time, but when exhibited under the trying conditions of 

 sickness, then such qualities indicate the real greatness of 

 the man. 



" The cheery optimism and active interest that Captain 



