Ixxxiv 
ACCOUNT OF THE 
It is true that the proof of Park*s death according to tliis 
Journal, depends entirely upon the statement of Amadi 
Fatouma ; but the nature of the case admits of no other 
direct evidence ; and some regard must be had to the 
opinion of Isaaco, considered by Colonel Maxwell as a 
person entitled to a certain degree of credit, who, after full 
investigation, was satisfied as to the truth of Amadi's 
account. It may be observed also, as a circumstance which 
gives additional weight to Isaaco's judgment, that being 
well aquainted with the anxiety of his employers respect- 
ing Park's safety, he must naturally have been desirous of 
discovering reasons for believing that he was still in exist- 
ence ; and was therefore unlikely to admit the fact of 
his death upon any ground, short of his own positive 
conviction. 
But the principal and decisive circumstance in this 
case, is the length of time which has elapsed without any 
intelligence being heard of Park, since his departure 
from Sansanding in November 1805. This can only be 
it ia wholly destitute of interest, and cannot even be read through, without a 
strong effort ; being inconceivably tedious, and having all the dry minuteness of' 
a log book, without its valuable precision. There is great confusion as to places 
and times; and it is possible only in a very few cases, to identify the former by 
reference to the names of places given by Park. Incidents the most trifling are 
related exactly in the same tone and manner as those of the greatest importance. 
The account of Park's death is given with more details, and the story is not ill 
told. But some of the facts are very questionable; and the circumstance of Park 
and Lieutenant Martyn leaping hand in hand with the soldiers into the river, is 
much too theatrical to be literally true. — What is most incredible, is the de- 
scription of the place where the event happened, which is stated to be an opening 
in a rock " in the form of a door," forming the only passage for the water; a 
fact so strange, that (if it were worth while to conjecture) one might suspect an 
er/or in the translation. 
