PREFACE. 
XVll 
have no strength, I tell you/ at the same time laying 
Mahommed's hand on his shoulder. Feeling death 
approaching, he got up in a sitting posture, being sup- 
ported by Mahommed, and soon expired, after three 
times deep breathing. He was entirely worn out, and 
died quietly, about two after midnight, Tuesda)^ 4th 
March (Jumed-el-awel), without the least struggle. 
His servant then called into the tent the other people 
and the Kashalla, or officer of the Sheikh, who had 
come along with them from Zinder, in order to be 
witness, and while wrapping the body of the deceased in 
three shirts which they had cut up, ordered the people 
of the village to dig a grave for him. They then shut 
up whatever of the luggage of Mr. Kichardson was not 
locked up, and prepared everything for their journey to 
Kuka. Early in the morning they lifted the body, 
wrapped up as it was, upon Mr. Richardson's carpet, 
and carried him to his grave, which had been dug in 
the shade of a large gaw, close to the village, to the 
depth of four feet. Having then covered his head and 
breast with a very large tabah, so as to protect it from 
every side, they covered the body with earth, and had 
the grave well secured. I have spoken several times 
with Haj Beshir that it might be well taken care of, 
and I am sure the grave of the traveller, who sacrificed 
his life for his great object, will be respected. I send 
jou with this first kafila all Mr. Richardson^s papers 
and his journal, which is kept till the 21st February, 
consisting of six reams, and his vocabularies, not 
finished, four reams, with Yusuf^s journal, as well as 
VOL. I. b 
