SUCCOUR. 
299 
lie had met half-way, bearing a letter of inquiry 
why I had not written or come down. They 
took my letter, and early next day I was sur- 
prised by the sight of three horsemen descend- 
ing the path. The doctor, with two European 
gentlemen, had come to ascertain the state of 
matters. They were quite shocked to see my 
condition, and two of them returned at once for 
a couch to carry me down, while the doctor re- 
mained with me. We had thought of the ham- 
mocks, but the rats had gnawed them in shreds. 
It was five o’clock when the chair and carriers 
arrived. Night would be upon us, and I begged 
to be allowed to remain ; the food and wine I 
had had would have strengthened me on the 
morrow. But the doctor was inexorable. He 
could not return so far ; I must go down to have 
nursing and restoratives. Bo we started. The 
chair w T as of no use. The path on the edge of 
precipitous slopes did not admit of two men 
abreast with the chair between, and I was twice 
rolled off. Ere we were well started night came 
down, and then the carriers refused to bear me. 
There was nothing now for it but to walk. For 
live hours we struggled down the Tiring Bock, 
with only the stars to light us. We had to 
grope our way, and on the steepest parts to sit 
