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Read Records of Captain Clapperton's last expedition to Africa, Vol. 2 (of 2) in English, with German beside it
by Richard Lander · 1804–1834
"Records of Captain Clapperton's last expedition to Africa, Vol. 2 (of 2)" by Lander is a travel narrative and historical account written in the early 19th century. It follows British explorer Hugh Clapperton through the eyes of his attendant Richard Lander, interweaving ethnographic sketches, natural history notes, and reports of regional wars with a stark, first-person chronicle of Clapperton’s decline, death, and Lander’s struggle to get home. The opening of the volume sets out the contents, then launches into Lander’s sweeping survey of central West Africa: quick character portraits, storytelling habits, and domestic life; extensive notes on flora, fauna, snakes, hyenas, elephants, birds, and crocodiles; and pointed claims about groups such as the Yam Yams, Arabs, and the Fulani (Falatahs). He recounts the rise of Dan Fodio and the founding of Sokoto, revolts in Gobir, and hard-fought conflicts with Bornu and Fundah—highlighting the murder of Bornu envoys at Kano, Bornu’s fiery assault tactics, and Bello’s failed attack on Fundah’s musket‑lined walls. The narrative then narrows to Sokoto: the cramped beehive hut, quiet evenings with cigars, songs, and bugle tunes, followed by Clapperton’s dysentery, Lander’s solitary nursing, the captain’s final instructions, and a lonely burial under a British flag near a village. Lander’s own fever, the Sultan’s seizure of arms and supplies, and an uneasy consent to leave are followed by departure with a vast caravan into the perilous Goober bush, where heat, dust, and thirst close the excerpt.
Summary generated automatically by Project Gutenberg.
- Read time
- 243 min
- Words
- 53,444
- Chapters
- 20
- Paragraphs
- 654
- Price
- Free
- Clapperton, Hugh, 1788-1827
- Sudan (Region) -- Description and travel
On the first of April the patient became considerably worse; and, although evidently in want of repose, the virulence of his complaint prevented him from enjoying any refreshing slumbers.
Am ersten April verschlechterte sich der Patient erheblich; und obwohl er offensichtlich Ruhe benötigte, verhinderte die Bösartigkeit seiner Beschwerde, dass er irgendeine erquickende Ruhe genoss.
On the 9th, Maddie, a native of Bornou whom my master had retained in his service, brought him about twelve ounces of green bark, from the butter-tree, recommended to him by an Arab in the city;
Am 9. brachte Maddie, ein Eingeborener von Bornou, den mein Meister in seinem Dienst behalten hatte, ihm etwa zwölf Unzen grüne Rinde vom Butterbaum, die ihm von einem Araber in der Stadt empfohlen
and assured us that it would produce the most beneficial effects.
worden war; und versicherte uns, dass sie die nützlichsten Wirkungen hervorbringen würde.
Notwithstanding all my remonstrances, a decoction of it was ordered to be prepared immediately, the too- confiding invalid remarking that no one would injure him.
Trotz aller meiner Einwendungen wurde angeordnet, sofort einen Absud davon zuzubereiten, der zu vertrauensselige Kranke bemerkte, dass ihm niemand schaden würde.
Accordingly, Maddie himself boiled two basons full, the whole of which stuff was swallowed in less than an hour.
Demgemäß kochte Maddie selbst zwei Schüsseln voll, die gesamte Substanz wurde in weniger als einer Stunde verschluckt.
On the following day he was greatly altered for the worse, as I had foretold he would be, and expressed regret for not having followed my advice.
Am folgenden Tag hatte er sich, wie ich vorhergesagt hatte, in unerwünschter Weise verändert und bedauerte, dass er meinen Ratschlägen nicht gefolgt war.
About twelve o’clock at noon, calling me to his bed-side, he said,
Gegen zwölf Uhr mittags, als er mich zu seinem Bett rief, sagte er:
“Richard!
„Richard!
I shall shortly be no more; I feel myself dying.”
Ich werde bald nicht mehr sein; ich fühle, dass ich sterbe.“
Almost choked with grief, I replied,
Fast von Trauer erstickt, erwiderte ich:
About the author
Richard Lander1804–1834
Richard Lemon Lander was a British explorer and writer born in Truro in 1804.
The Richard Lander page, and where to start →Read it in another language
Questions about Records of Captain Clapperton's last expedition to Africa, Vol. 2 (of 2)
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Book details
- Original language
- English
- Translation
- German, machine translation
- Source text
- Project Gutenberg #78092
- Licence
- Public domain worldwide
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