RESIDENCE AT SOCCATOO. 
277 
taking it outside of the hut, laid it on a clean mat, and wrapped it 
in a sheet and blanket. Leaving it in this state two hours, I put 
a large clean mat over the whole, and sent a messenger to Sultan 
Bello, to acquaint him of the mournful event, and ask his permission 
to bury the body after the manner of my own country, and also to 
know in what particular place his remains were to be interred. The 
messenger soon returned with the sultan's consent to the former 
part of my request; and about 12 o’clock at noon of the same day 
a person came into my hut, accompanied by four slaves, sent by 
Bello to dig the grave. I was desired to follow them with the 
corpse. Accordingly I saddled my camel, and putting the body 
on its back, and throwing an union-jack over it, I bade them pro- 
ceed. Travelling at a slow pace, we halted at Jungavic, a small 
village, built on a rising ground, about five miles to the south-east 
of Soccatoo. The body was then taken from the camel's back, and 
placed in a shed, whilst the slaves were digging the grave ; which 
being quickly done, it was conveyed close to it. I then opened a 
prayer-book, and, amid showers of tears, read the funeral service 
over the remains of my valued master. Not a single person listened 
to this peculiarly distressing ceremony, the slaves being at some 
distance, quarrelling and making a most indecent noise the whole 
of the time it lasted. This being done, the union-jack was taken 
off*, and the body was slowly lowered into the earth, and 1 wept 
bitterly as I gazed for the last time upon all that remained of my 
generous and intrepid master. The pit was speedily filled, and I 
returned to the village about thirty yards to the east of the grave, 
and giving the most respectable inhabitants, both male and female, 
a few trifling presents, entreated them to let no one disturb its 
sacred contents. 1 also gave them 2,000 cowries to build a house, 
four feet high, over the spot, which they promised to do. I then 
returned, disconsolate and oppressed, to my solitary habitation, and 
leaning my head on my hand, could not help being deeply affected 
