King had already buried the rest of the field-books near the mia-mia.
The first day after they left Wills Burke was very weak, and complained sadly of great pain in his back and legs. Next day he was a little better, and walked for about two miles, then lay down and said he could go no farther.
Death of Burke
King managed to get him up, but as he went he dropped his swag and threw away everything he had to carry.
When they halted he said he felt much worse, and could not last many hours longer, and he gave his pocket-book to King, saying:—
'I hope you will remain with me till I am quite dead—it is a comfort to know someone is by; but when I am dying, it is my wish that you should place the pistol in my right hand, and that you leave me unburied as I lie.'
Doubtless he thought of King's weak state, and wished to spare him the labour of digging a grave.
The last of the misfortunes that had followed the enterprise from the outset, misfortunes in many cases caused by the impatient zeal of its leader, was drawing to its close.