[Gutenberg 8564] • Life and Travels of Mungo Park

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1840. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... 214 BUMOUItS OF PARK S DEATH. CHAPTER XIX. 'i'. Humours of Park's Death.--Isaaco's Mission to inquire into then Truth.-- Account of Park's Fate obtained from his Guide.--Its Confirmation by subsequent Travellers.--Clapperton's Account --Exertions by the Brothers Lander to procure Park's Papers.--Memorials of him obtained by them. [1805-1830.] For some time after the date of the letters written by Park from Sansanding, nothing was heard of the expedition. In the course of the year 1806, vague reports were brought to the British settlemenis on the coast by the native traders from the interior of Africa, to the effect that Park and his companions had been killed. Years passed on and the rumours increased, though no distinct accounts upon the subject could be obtained; till at length Colonel Maxwell, the governor of Senegal, obtained permission from the British government to send a proper person to procure some more precise information. For this service he was fortunately able to engage Isaaco, who had been Park's guide from the Gimbia, and who had brought back his letters and Journal from Sansanding. Isaaco left Senegal in January, 1810, and on the 1st of September, 1811, returned thither, with a full confirmation of the reports concerning Park's death. At Fadina, near Sansanding, he met with Amadi Fatouma, the very guide whom he had recommended to Park to accompany him on his voy. age from Sansanding down the Niger. "I sent foi him," savs Israco, "he came immediately. I do ACCOUNT OF PARK'S DEATH BY HIS GUIDE. 215 inanded of him a faithful account of what had hap. pened to Mr. Park. On seeing me, and hearing me mention Mr. Park, he began to weep, and his first words were, ' They are all dead.' I said, ' I am come to see after you, and intended to look eve...