fever, and that he was- about to proceed to Singapore,
and would go out on the Borneo's return, to restore
his health, and prepare for his next journey. He spoke
very modestly about his work, in reply to some questions
I asked, and turned them off to give me some
valuable hints as to my mode of living, in view of the
danger of jungle fever, which was prevalent among
Europeans whose duties took them into the interior.
After breakfast Frank took me ashore, and introduced
me to Mr. Treacher, the governor, who received
me most kindly, and made arrangements for my
accommodation at the Treasury, houses at that time
being very few and far between. I spent the day with
Frank, helping him to pack, and talking about London.
He spoke very affectionately of you and his mother,
and showed me all your pictures.”
“ W hat was his room like ? ”
«« I t was a large' room, and had a very miscellaneous
appearance. There were one or two tin cases, with
things half packed ; his revolvers hung on his bedstead;
there were some shelves with bottles of chemicals on
them, a few mineral specimens, some, note-books, a
rifle, and other things. , His pistols hung on the bedpost,
over which was drawn a large mosquito-net.
There were letters and papers scattered around, straps,
and everything that denoted overhauling things and
packing. He said he was à good deal played out, but
had great hopes of his next expedition, though he said
the native reports of minerals were, as a rule, fables,
and the difficulties of exploration great beyond description,
the rivers being so often in a state of overflow.
He was very kind to me, as he seemed to be to everybody,
and his advice, was most useful to me. The
next morning everybody mustered on the wharf to say
adieu to the Borneo. Very friendly was the leave-
taking with Frank. I grasped his hand warmly, for I
had already got to like as well as" to admire h im ; and
I little thought that our next meeting would be far
away in the interior—in the heart, in fact, of the Sabah
country, beyond the ken of white men.”
“ Now, I want you, if you will, to dictate to a shorthand
writer the account of your second meeting with
Frank, your last meeting, with all the details of it that
you can remember; and then, when I have read it, we
will talk again about our dear Frank—again and often,
I hope.”
“ Yes,” he said, “ I will do what you suggest.”
He did, and two days afterwards handed me the
following interesting and touching narrative, all the
more pathetic that the united ages of the two brave
young fellows was not more than forty-four; Ward, a
sturdy, squarely-built, thick-set youngster, about the
height of Stanley, and with something of his calm expression
of face; Frank, close on six feet, a head taller
than any of his native followers, lithe, supple of limb,
and with a far-away look in his eyes. “ And I admired
him so much,” said Ward; “ envied him, but not to
desire his injury, of course; envied his acquirements, his
knowledge, his skill; thought what a great man he
would be some day, and wondered what would become
of me; for though he was so modest and unostentatious,
he had a commanding way, and talked with authority,
as you may say ; and what struck me was the quiet,
uncomplaining style in which he took hardships, just
as if he had been used to camping out and eating rice
all his life.”