34 
TEAVELS IN CENTEAL AFEICA. 
Foxcroft;, poor boy ! is very ill; since Christmas he has been an 
invalid ; we often fear that he is going. He rallied when we first 
came here^, but the last three days he cannot leave his tent. I 
visit him frequently : he is fretful and will not fancy to partake of 
any but the most unwholesome food for him. 
I write now when the sun is going down_, and must^ while there 
is lights say good night. 
“ KHARTOUM, 
“ May Wi, 1864. 
Sister dear^, 
I have so much to say I know not how to begin ; but 
of my health I am sure you would first hear^ and so I tell thee of 
it. The hot winds were almost death to me at Kallakla^ and I for 
some time~a long time^ days are as years in this land — kept up, 
but I broke down at last ; so they made me come back to Khar- 
toum. The rooms are, in comparison, cool — thermometer shows a 
difference of 15° — and there are more comforts : Fatma is such a 
kind nurse. When stronger I will tell you something very interest- 
ing about her. 
Foxcroft is seriously ill : on our way here he was obliged to 
rest twice in the villages, and once he fell fainting oflP his donkey. 
I rode a dromedary bravely, but at a tax too great, for upon entering 
our desolated saloon I could only reach the divan, where I fell 
powerless and unconscious. There is little hope of our starting for 
a month ; the rains are then expected. 
KHARTOUM, 
^^May I2t\ 1864. 
I hasten to give you news of Baker, that Peter may in 
some way make it known to his friends. 
