On the 1st of April, he became considerably worse, and though evidently in want of repose, his sleep became more and more disturbed.  He swallowed eight drops of laudanum, four times a day, for three days; but finding it did him not the least benefit, he discontinued taking it altogether:  this, with the exception of two papers of Seidlitz powders and four ounces of Epsom salts, was the only medicine he had during his illness.  On the 9th, Maddic, a native of Bornou, whom master had retained in his service, brought him about twelve ounces of green bark from the butter tree, and said it would do him much good.  Notwithstanding all my remonstrances, master immediately ordered a decoction of it to be prepared, observing, “No man will injure me.”  Accordingly Maddie himself boiled two basins-full, the whole of which he drank in less than an hour.  Next morning he was much altered for the worse, and regretted his not having followed my advice.  About twelve o’clock of the same day, he said, “Richard, I shall shortly be no more; I feel myself dying.”  Almost choked with grief, I replied, “God forbid, my dear master:  you will live many years yet.”  “Don’t be so much affected, my dear boy, I entreat you,” said he:  “it is the will of the Almighty; it cannot be helped.  Take care of my journal and papers after my death; and when you arrive in London, go immediately to my agents, send for my uncle, who will accompany you to the colonial office, and let him see you deposit them safely into the hands of the secretary.  After I am buried, apply to Bello, and borrow money to purchase camels and provisions for your journey over the desert, and go in the train of the Arab merchants to Fezzan.  On your arrival there, should your money be exhausted, send a messenger to Mr. Warrington, our consul at Tripoli, and wait till he returns with a remittance.  On reaching Tripoli, that gentleman will advance what money you may require, and send you to England the first opportunity.  Do not lumber yourself with my books; leave them behind, as well as the barometer, boxes, and sticks, and indeed every heavy article you can conveniently part with; give them to Malam Mudey, who will take care of them.  The wages I agreed to give you my agents will pay, as well as the sum government allowed me for a servant; you will of course receive it, as Columbus has never served me.  Remark what towns or villages you pass through; pay attention to whatever the chiefs may say to you, and put it on paper.  The little money I have, and all my clothes, I leave you:  sell the latter, and put what you may receive for them into your pocket; and if, on your journey, you should be obliged to expend it, government will repay you on your return.”  I said, as well as my agitation would permit me, “If it be the will of God to take you, you may rely on my faithfully performing, as far as I am able, all that you have desired; but I trust the Almighty will spare you, and you will yet live to see your country.”