lii 
ACCOUNT OF THE 
dangers were not greater than might reasonably be encoun- 
tered for the sake of very important objects ; justly observ- 
ing that it was only from similar risks of human life that 
great geographical discoveries were in general to be ex- 
pected. The correctness of his opinion was sufficiently 
shewn by the event ; since it will hereafter appear that the 
failure of the undertaking was owing rather to accidental 
circumstances than to any defect in the original plan of 
the expedition itself. 
After due consideration, it was at length finally deter- 
mined that the expedition should consist of Park himself, 
his brother in law Mr. Alexander Anderson, who was to 
be next to Park in authority, and Mr. George Scott, who 
was to act as a draftsman ; together with a few boat 
builders and artificers. They were not to be accompanied 
by any troops from England ; but were to be joined at 
Goree by a certain number of soldiers of the African corps 
stationed in that garrison, who might be disposed to volun- 
teer for the service. 
Mr. Anderson and Mr. Scott, the associates of Park in 
this expedition, were intelligent and excellent j^oung men; 
the former a surgeon of several years' experience, the latter 
an artist of very promising talents. They were both of 
them friends and fellow countrymen of Park (being natives 
of the county of Selkirk), and inspired by him with a great 
ardour for the undertaking in which they were about ta 
engage. 
The expedition being thus limited as to its nature and 
objects, and nothing more being necessary than to procure 
a proper assortment of stores and commercial articles, and 
