CAPTAIN TUCKEY’S NARRATIVE, 179 
fall, but that canoes are easily got above it; that twenty 
days above the island, the river issues by many small 
streams from a great marsh or lake of mud. 
Having thus ascertained that the river again becomes 
navigable at the distance of about 20 to 24 miles above Yel- 
Jala, I endeavoured to ascertain if I could procure canoes, 
and was assured I might purchase them at banza Mavoonda. 
During the night we had two smart showers of rain, which, 
as we were bivouacked in the open air, wetted us through. 
In the morning we returned to Inga, whence I have sent 
Lieut. Hawkey back to Cooloo, with 14 men of this place, 
to bring up the provisions and presents ; intending immedi- 
ately to procure two canoes and proceed up the river. 
Mr. Cranch being ill, takes this occasion of returning to the 
Congo. 
The country declines considerably in proceeding to the 
north. 
Aug. 25. All the European articles procured from Em- 
bomma, which is the emporium of the Conge empire, and 
might once be considered as the university for teaching the 
English language, and breeding up factors for the slave trade, 
are now brought thither by the Portuguese, and consist 
chiefly of the coarsest of English cottons, aqua ardente of 
Brazil, and iron bars. Beads are only taken in exchange 
