18 
TRAVELS IN CENTRAL AFRICA. 
Septeniber 12th. 
I have been again seriously ill (ague fever) . Petherick 
is much worse I will_, if I am able^, give yon a passage 
or two from a letter sent to me by Madame Tinne : quote what you 
like, the proceedings of those adventurous ladies must prove of 
interest.^^ 
“ October 2nd. 
^^Mona dear, 
I begin a letter to you, hoping that I may have the 
strength to write so that you may understand me. . . .We 
are both very ill, but dear Petherick has been well-nigh death. . . 
^^Last Saturday, towards sundown, Foxcroft (accompanied by 
Ibrahim) rushed into the saloon, crying, ^Backsheesh !’ Thinking 
he came for the reward promised if my gazelle, which had been 
missing three days, was brought, I gave the few dollars. Foxcroft, 
very pale, said, I bring you news of a post; it has arrived, and 
there is a bag for you ! ^ Sister, dear, I had weeks ago made a vow 
that when a post for us was brought, even ere the bag was opened, 
an order should be given to slaughter a bullock for our people. 
Whilst this was issued, in my trembling hands I held the bag. At 
last the cloth was cut, when paper after paper fell out for Baker, | 
Baker ! then came letters for Baker, until Petherick said, ^ Be a I 
brave old girl, this is Baker’s post ! ’ but I could not be brave, and | 
fell fainting to the ground. | 
^^They tell me I remained all night unconscious, and when i 
morning broke I was still in my day dress, and noon had long past |; 
ere I was made to comprehend that there were letters for us — they j 
had covered me with them, trying thus to restore me. The first ! 
which I opened was in the fair handwriting of our mother, and at j; 
