DANGEROUS ILLNESS OF THE AUTHOR. 271 
procure a guide; the anxiety arising from this compulsory 
delay, added to the extreme dampness of my hut, into which 
the rain penetrated through the crevices in the roof, gave me 
a violent attack of fever. I had recourse to the remedy from 
which I had before experienced such salutary effects ; I 
took a strong dose of the infusion of tamarinds, but per- 
ceived with alarm that my fever increased. I then thought of 
taking some bark of which I had had the precaution to bring 
with me a small packet, but my mortification can scarcely be 
imagined, when, on searching the leather bag into which it had 
been put, it was not to be found. I then believed myself with- 
out resource. My situation actually grew worse ; on the 8th 
of May a dysentery succeeded ; I had no other remedy at 
hand, and no other food than a little rice and water. Such a 
diet soon exhausted my strength. On the 11th, after lying 
down on a bundle of straw, of which my Negro had made me 
a bed, I wrote my last will, under the impression that the 
next night would be my last. Boukari, seated by my side, 
supported my head to enable me to write ; this faithful servant 
shed a torrent of tears, and when, after bidding him adieu, I 
put my journal and merchandize into his hands to be delivered 
to M. de Fleuriau : " Ah! my master," cried he sobbing; 
" can I survive thee if Heaven should take thee away ? No ! 
thou canst not die, thy destiny forbids it; take courage, 
neither physicians nor their remedies can save thee, but the 
will of the Sovereign of the universe ; trust in his power, he 
