428 VOYAGE HOME. Chap. XXXII. 



night he became insane. I thought at first that he was 

 intoxicated. He had descended into a boat, and, when I 

 attempted to go down and bring him into the ship, he ran to 

 the stern, and said, "No ! no ! it is enough that I die alone. 

 You must not perish ; if you come I shall throw myself into 

 the water." Perceiving that his mind was affected, I said, 

 " Now, Sekwebu, we are going to Ma Robert." This struck 

 a chord in his bosom, and he said, " yes ; where is she, and 

 where is Robert ? " and he became more composed. In the 

 evening, however, a fresh accession of insanity occurred — he 

 tried to spear one of the crew, then leaped overboard, and, 

 though he could swim well, pulled himself down hand under 

 hand, by the chain cable. We never found the body of poor 

 Sekwebu. 



At the Mauritius I was most hospitably received by Major- 

 Gen eral C. M. Hay, who generously constrained me to remain 

 with him till, by the influence of the good climate and quiet 

 English comfort, I got rid of an enlarged spleen from African 

 fever. In November I came up the Eed Sea; escaped the 

 danger of shipwreck through the admirable management of 

 Captain Powell, of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Com- 

 pany's ship "Candia;" and on the 12th of December was 

 once more in dear old England. The Company most liberally 

 refunded my passage- money. I have not mentioned half the 

 favours bestowed, but 1 may just add that no one has cause 

 for more abundant gratitude to his fellow-men and to his 

 Maker than 1 have ; and may God grant that the effect on my 

 mind be such that I may be more humbly devoted to the 

 service of the Author of all our mercies ! 



