RESIDENCE AT SOCCATOO. 
271 
to a mere skeleton, and having two immense holes in its back. 1 
wished the Gadado to give me another in its stead, but he would 
not listen to me. 
My master and myself enjoyed pretty good health for some 
time after my arrival at Soccatoo, and amused ourselves with going 
a shooting almost every day. At one shot my master brought 
down thirteen wild ducks, about two miles to the north-east of the 
city, ten of which were secured. We remained at Soccatoo much 
longer than was intended, believing the sultan would consent to 
our proceeding to Bornou when the war had become somewhat 
abated ; but this he never granted. 
On the 12th of March, 1827, I was greatly alarmed on finding 
my dear master attacked with dysentery. He had been complain- 
ing a day or two previously of a burning heat in his stomach, unac- 
companied, however, by any other kind of pain. From the moment 
he was taken ill he perspired freely, and big drops of sweat were 
continually rolling over every part of his body, which weakened him 
exceedingly. It being the fast of Rhamadan, I could get no one, 
not even our own servants, to render me the least assistance. 1 
washed the clothes, which was an arduous employment, and obliged 
to be (lone eight or nine times each day, lit and kept in the fire, 
and prepared the victuals myself ; and the intermediate time was 
occupied in fanning my poor master, which was also a tedious em- 
ployment. Finding myself unable to pay proper attention to his 
wants in these various avocations, 1 sent to Mai lam Mudey, on the 
13th, entreating him to send me a female slave to perform the ope- 
ration of fanning. On her arrival I gave her a few beads, and she 
immediately began her work with spirit ; but she soon relaxed in 
her exertions, and becoming tired, ran away, on pretence of going 
out for a minute, and never returned. Alla Sellakee, a young man 
my master had purchased on the road from Kano to take care of 
the camels, and whom he had invariably treated with his usual 
