^4 MUNGO PARK'S j 
halted as usual under a tree at a little distance ; and before 
we could pitch one of the tents, we were overtaken by a 
very heavy tornado, which wet us all completely. In at- 
tempting to fasten up one of the tents to a branch of the 
tree, had my hat blown away, and lost. The ground a.11 
round was covered with water about three inches deep. 
We had another tornado about two o'clock in the morning. 
The tornado which took place on our arrival, had an 
instant effect on the health of the soldiers, and proved to 
us, to be the beginning of sorrow. I had proudly flattere,d, 
myself that we should reach the Niger with a very moderate 
loss ; w e had had two men sick of the dysentery ; one of 
them recovered completely on the march, and the other 
would doubtless have recovered, had he not been wet by 
the rain at Baniserile. But now the rain had set in, and 
I trembled to think that we were only half way through 
our journey. The rain had not commenced three minutes 
before many of the soldiers were affected with vomiting ; 
others fell asleep, and seemed as if half intoxicated. I felt 
a strong inclination to sleep during the storm ; and as soon 
as it was over I fell asleep on the wet ground, although I 
used every exertion to keep myself awake. The soldiers 
likewise fell asleep on the wet bundles. 
June 11th. — Twelve of the soldiers sick. Went and 
waited on the Dooty, and presented him with five bars of 
