MAIFONI 257 



Alexander showed in his case would have delighted any 

 medical man, while the grit and tenacity with which he 

 fought his last fight is worthy of his race and his calling- 

 Captain Alexander died as a soldier should die — with his face 

 to the enemy. It is passing sad that a spirit so dauntless 

 should pass away after such a splendid fight. 



" His last moments were not spent in pain, though his 

 mind was active to the last. 



" The last utterance that I heard was, ' I'm all right now,' 

 and surely he is. 



"Allan C. Parsons, 



" W.A.M.S. 



" Fort Maifoni, 



"Nov. 14, 1904." 



He was buried the next morning, with full military 

 honours. The body, which was wrapped in a blanket and 

 covered with the Union Jack, was met outside the fort by 

 Lieutenant Farmer and the full company of soldiers, who 

 presented arms. From that point Lieutenant Farmer joined 

 the bearers. Parsons, Talbot, and Sergeant Moon, who placed 

 themselves on the right of the company. Then, making a 

 half-right turn the procession marched slowly to the grave, 

 beneath an acacia-tree to the south of the fort, where the 

 road passes to Yola. Here his body was laid to rest, with no 

 coffin boards, but lying softly in the lap of earth, and Dr. 

 Parsons, the friend who had given his skill and all the 

 kindness from the rich store of his heart to help his patient 

 in his brave fight, performed the last office and read the 

 splendid service for the burial of the dead. Then three 



