717 
and his Ornithological Work. 
north-east of Lake Chad. He had already passed through 
so many perils unharmed that he appeared to bear a charmed 
life, and it seems a terrible irony of Fate that the career of 
this most successful and intrepid traveller should have been 
cut short by the hand of a boy. The following account 
of the tragedy has now been received from Lieutenant 
Childers Thompson, commanding at the British post of 
Maifoni, in the Lake Chad district, with whom the late 
explorer stayed for a month. 
a You will have received by this time the bare announce¬ 
ment that Boyd Alexander was killed near Darfur. I will 
now give you the details. He was delayed for a long time at 
Abeshir, in Wadai, owing to the French reverse at Nassalit 
having brought about a disturbed condition of the country. 
Finally, two months ago, leaving Abeshir, he proceeded on his 
journey, and along with his Portuguese collector Jose Lopez 
marched in a north-easterly direction, arriving safely at Tama, 
a place that is under Ali Dinar of Darfur (presumably a 
chieftain owing allegiance to the Anglo-Egyptian Govern¬ 
ment). They reached the place late at night, and on their 
arrival the local chief or king summoned them to his 
presence. To this request Alexander replied that he would 
see the king on the following morning. 
“ The explorer and his companion were encamped 
under some trees outside the town, and had just finished 
their evening meal when they were suddenly surrounded 
by a band of people, who declared their intention of 
taking Alexander to their king. One of the men then 
laid hands on the British officer, who naturally pushed him 
off. Thereupon a small boy, who was standing by, seized 
a gun and discharged it at Alexander, who fell instantly, 
and the crowd then set upon him and despatched him. Four 
of the natives seized Jose and proceeded to wrench a ring 
from his finger. In order to get free Jose said he would 
himself remove another ring which they wanted, but the 
moment he got his hands clear he seized his gun, fired two 
shots at his assailants, and, jumping on his horse, succeeded 
in escaping. Before this Alexander was dead, and the 
3 b 2 
