358 RETREAT FROM ASHANGO-LAND. Chap. XYILI. 



in my side ; I had no time to stop to take the arrow 

 out, and tlie barbed head having gone through the 

 leather belt of my revolvers, the point was working 

 in my flesh every step I took, causing the most acute 

 torture. Had its force not been arrested by the 

 resistance of the leather, it would probably have 

 killed me. After I was struck, Igalo, the unfor- 

 tunate cause of all our woe, who kept close by me 

 dui'ing our flight, turned round and by a quick and 

 well directed shot laid the too-skilful bowman low. 

 The unfeigned sorrow and devotion of my men at 

 this juncture were most gratifying to me. I was 

 getting weak from loss of blood, and a burning thirst 

 was tormenting me. They asked what was to become 

 of them if I should die ? I told them to keep to- 

 gether, come what might ; and, if they escaped, to 

 deliver all my journals and papers to the white men. 

 Wherever we stopped for a few minutes during this 

 disastrous day, they came round me and asked me 

 how I felt, and what they could do for me. 



After I was wounded my strength began to fail 

 me, and I had myself to follow the example of my 

 men in throwing away things to lighten the load 

 I carried. To my great sorrow I had to throw into 

 the bush my beautiful double-barrelled breech-loading 

 rifle, a magnificent weapon, carrying a two and a 

 half ounces steel-pointed ball. My sorrow was the 

 greater inasmuch as it was a present from a dear 

 friend of mine, Mr. Gr. Bishop of Twickenham. 



We were still pursued, and another check was 

 necessary. IgaLa said, "I know I am going to die, 

 but let me kill a few of these fellows first." He 



