INTERIOR OF AFRICA. I03 
into Paradise, by whispering in his ear some Arabic sentences, 
and desiring him to repeat them. After many unsuccessful 
attempts, the poor Heathen at last pronounced, la ill ah el allah, 
Mahamet rasowl allahi,* and the disciples of the Prophet assured 
his mother that her son had given sufficient evidence of his 
faith, and would be happy in a future state. He died the same 
evening. 
Feb. 17th. My guides informed me, that in order to avoid 
the Moorish banditti, it was necessary to travel in the night ; 
we accordingly departed from Funingkedy in the afternoon, ac- 
companied by about thirty people, carrying their effects with 
them into Ludamar, for fear of the war. We travelled with 
great silence and expedition until midnight, when we stopped in 
a sort of inclosure, near a small village ; but the thermometer 
being so low as 68°, none of the Negroes could sleep on account 
of the cold. 
At daybreak on the i8th, we resumed our journey, and at 
eight o'clock passed Simbing, the frontier village of Ludamar, 
situated in a narrow pass between two rocky hills, and sur- 
rounded with a high wall. From this village Major Houghton 
(being deserted by his Negro servants, who refused to follow 
him into the Moorish country) wrote his last letter with a pencil 
to Dr. Laidley. This brave but unfortunate man, having sur- 
mounted many difficulties, had taken a northerly direction, and 
endeavoured to pass through the kingdom of Ludamar, where I 
afterwards learned the following particulars concerning his me- 
* There is but one god, and Mahomet is his Prophet. 
