He had scarcely any knowledge of natural history, of botany, of geology, or any other of those sciences which enable a traveller to observe with accuracy. A common compass was actually the only scientific instrument which he carried with him, and even this was lost by an unfortunate accident during his travels. But his extraordinary perseverance outweighed all these objections, and enabled him to surmount every difficulty, and finally to unlock the great secret of Western Africa—the course of the great river Niger—which had baffled the efforts of a long line of travellers of far higher powers.
John Lander, the younger brother of Richard, who proposed to accompany him, had, in some respects, the advantage of his brother in education and literary attainments. He had cultivated a taste for literature in his own way, and had produced several essays in prose and verse, not wanting in merit; he had, besides, drawn up the account of his brother's former journey after the death of Clapperton. A man of warm heart and some imagination, strongly attached to his elder brother, he determined to accompany him this time in his wanderings and to share his fortunes. The government, however, somewhat meanly refused to allow him any salary during the expedition, or even to make him the promise of a reward in the event of success. Even to Richard the encouragement afforded was exceedingly scanty. A sum of one hundred pounds was agreed to be paid to his wife, who remained in England, in four instalments during the year following his departure, and on the return of the party, another hundred pounds was promised to be paid to himself. Meanwhile he was furnished with all
