Ixx 
ACCOUNT OF THE 
" The bearer of this to the Gambia is waiting with his 
asses for a few minutes only ; you will therefore inform 
all friends that we are well and going on prosperously. I 
see no reason to think that our stay in the Interior will be 
longer than I first mentioned. 
" We carry our own victuals with us, and live very well ; 
in fact we have only had a pleasant journey, and yet this 
is what we thought would be the worst part of it. 
" I will indulge the hope that my wife, children, and all 
friends are well. I am in great hopes of finishing this 
journey with credit in a few months ; and then with what 
joy shall I turn my face towards home ! The Slatee is 
impatient for the letter; and I have only time to subscribe 
myself, &c.'* 
Notwithstanding these letters, it is evident from Park's 
Journal that his situation was now very critical. The 
tornadoes had begun to be frequent ; and a few days 
afterwards it became quite apparent that the rainy season 
was seriously setting in, before the journey to the Niger 
was more than half completed. The effect produced on the 
health of the soldiers by a violent rain on the 10th of June, 
was almost instantaneous ; twelve of them at once were dan- 
gerously ill, and from this time the great mortality com- 
menced, which was ultimately fatal to the expedition. 
At Shrondo, in the kingdom of Dentila, where the 
caravan shortly afterwards arrived, there are considerable 
gold mines ; and the journal contains a minute and inte- 
resting description both of the manner of collecting the 
metal, and of the country in which it is found. 
