112 
GUN ACCIDENT. 
[chap. III. 
powder. There was a quantity of luggage most fortu¬ 
nately lying before the muzzle, but the effects of the 
discharge were extraordinary. The ball struck the 
steel scabbard of a sword, tearing off the ring ; it then 
passed obliquely through the stock of a large rifle, and 
burst through the shoulder-plate; entering a packing- 
case of inch-deal, it passed through it and through the 
legs of a man who was sitting at some distance, and 
striking the hip-bone of another man, who was sitting 
at some paces beyond, it completely smashed both hips, 
and fortunately being expended, it lodged in the body. 
Had it not been for the first objects happily in the 
route of the ball, it would have killed several men, as 
they were sitting in a crowd exactly before the 
muzzle. 
Dr. Murie, who had accompanied Mr. Petherick, 
very kindly paid the wounded men every attention, 
but he with the smashed hip died in a few hours, 
apparently without pain. 
After the departure of Speke and Grant, I moved 
my tent to the high ground above the river ; the efflu¬ 
vium from the filth of some thousands of people was 
disgusting, and fever was prevalent in all quarters. 
Both of us were suffering; also Mr. and Mrs. Petherick, 
and many of my men, one of whom died. My animals 
were all healthy, but the donkeys and camels were 
