There was very little ivory at Yimahá, but in other respects a brisk trade was carried on during our stay. Yimahá is a very busy place, and its inhabitants being of an active disposition and quiet demeanour, it may, if left undisturbed by the Fulátas, again become a flourishing town. Its situation is good, and as the people are orderly and extremely well disposed towards us, it must, if our intercourse ever becomes established, be an important station.

We remained until noon, that Mr. May might obtain a meridian altitude of the sun, after which, getting under steam, we resumed our passage. We anchored for a short time off O'gba, prettily situated along the verge of a steep cliff, rising some 80 or 100 feet above the river. Several of us landed, and scrambling up by a rather precipitous footpath, in a few minutes found ourselves in the heart of the village. It commands a fine prospect, extending to many miles along the river, and also over a fine extent of level ground, stretching far away towards the mountains in the north. The chief, named Kpánaki, was absent, his usual residence being at Okpángana, on the other side of the river, but we were introduced to his deputy, who was his sister, and who acted, as Alihéli briefly explained to us, as 'big-man" of the village, meaning thereby the principal official. There being no inducement to remain, we quickly descended, jumping from block to block of igneous rock, until we reached the bottom. A couple of canoes, bringing a few fowls and goats,

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accompanied us, and presently two others came alongside, one of which had been sent from Okpángana to follow us, and to express the chief's regret at not being able to call on us, as he had just lost one of his wives. I sent him by his brother, who was his messenger, a small present, with the expression of our condolence at his loss. From the other canoe, which was returning from market, a tooth of twenty pounds weight was bought. We again got under steam, passing in rapid succession many small villages, among which were A'tipo, Ohimokógi, and finally Gánde, a little place inhabited by Igára people. It being almost dark, and the navigation rather intricate, we anchored for the night near the Duck Islands. Dr. Hutchinson and Mr. Taylor went in the gig to visit their friends in the canoe, and on their return reported that Mr. Crawford and Mr. Gower were both sick, and that little trade had been done, as it seemed to have been interfered with by the King's order.

CHAPTER IX.

THE CONFLUENCE.

SINCE We had last been here there was a great change in the appearance of all around. Sacrifice Rock, on which we used to land for observations, and which was then high above the water, was now completely hidden, nothing being left to indicate its locality but the top of a tall bush, which had managed to withstand the fury of the flood. The Duck Islands were reduced to very narrow limits, and the confluence of the two rivers seemed to be greatly expanded and enlarged. After daylight we got up steam, and soon were off Igbégbe, where we anchored not far from the landing-place. Mr. Crawford, on being brought on board, looked very white and thin, but this did not proceed from endemic fever, which again had considerably affected Mr. Gower. The canoe was moored in a very ill chosen locality near the shore, sheltered by tall trees from the refreshing breeze, and, now that the water was falling, close to moist mud. They said they were afraid to anchor further out, why I could not make

Oct. 20.

out, as thirty yards would have made all the difference between a healthy and an unhealthy spot. A warp was passed to the canoe, and she was hauled alongside, and the proceeds of six weeks' trading were taken on board, which only amounted to 278 lbs. of ivory, 192 lbs. of shea-butter, 192 lbs. of tobacco, and some red pepper-a most wretched result; but Mr. Crawford had been so tied down by the orders he received about prices, that he could not give even a fair market value. I discharged and paid the men who had accompanied us up the Bínue, giving them an amount which completely satisfied them. This I did as they had been with us seven weeks, had behaved well, and been often very useful, besides their journey to Keána. Zúri, certainly, had occasionally been troublesome, and I could not approve of many of his proceedings; still, through him I had got much information about names, places, and man

ners.

Moreover, I considered that in rewarding them well I was only paying a slight compliment to A'ma A'boko, who had been so friendly to us. I offered also to settle with Zúri for the boy, but he had not a bag to contain the additional cowries. When the canoe parted from us at O'jogo we had given directions that the Krúmen should employ their spare time in cutting wood for our use. This had been done, but one large pile, which had been stacked too near the river edge, had been swept away; several boat-loads, however, still remained, which we commenced shipping at once, as the place where

it was stored was nearly a mile distant from us, on the opposite side of the river.

On landing, I made some inquiries about the person alleged to have been stopping trade, and found that it was the Galadíma, whose name was Dagána, and who, having been charged by the King with the safety of the party, had been consequently very frequently about them, and they probably, from not knowing better, fancied he was interfering with them. I learnt also, however, that in consequence of the grumbling which was caused by the very low prices offered, the King had advised his people to cease trading until the return of the ship. We then went to visit A'ma A'boko, and to thank him for his kindness to our people during our absence. We fancied that the King received us rather coldly, and soon found that our friend Zúri had been before us, and had been telling him various untruths to try and prejudice him against us. He had very much understated the payment he had received, had told that Kings up the Bínue had got far more valuable presents than those offered to A'ma A'boko, and in particular he had dwelt on the cowries given to the King of I'gbira. The King mentioned all these points, asking if we had forgotten him altogether, if any other chief had taken as much trouble concerning us, or had equally cared for our men when we were far away. I said that Zúri had quite deceived him about his remuneration, which was more than treble what he had admitted, and in proof of this I had