PROFESSOR SMITH’S JOURNAL. 281 
obliged to steer out of it. The vessel was very difficult to 
manage in the current. We had soon passed the mid- 
channel, which is scarcely more than 14 mile broad, and 
reached the Mona Mazea bank, where the depth was only 
seven fathoms. ‘The vessel was for a moment in danger, 
but by the exertion of all on board, she was brought to 
anchor again under Kakatoo, a little farther back, and in 
shallower water than the first time. 
We remained here all the day waiting for the sea breeze. 
The Captain began to entertain doubts whether he should 
be able to bring our clumsy bark up to the Congo. To 
the joy of all of us it was resolved that a fishing-party 
should go ashore to morrow. Every one is permitted to 
be of the party, who may be inclined, provided he will re- 
turn with Fitzmaurice at breakfast time. I thought this 
time too limited, and procured permission to remain on 
shore till dinner time, on condition that I would risk to be 
cut off from the ship, in case the re-embarking at that time 
should prove impossible ; which condition I eagerly accep- 
ted of, hoping that if such an event should happen, I 
might be able to get a canoe to convey me on board. 
11th. We were all up before day-break and went into 
the boat. Most of us were completely wet, though the 
swell of the sea was not very high. After having dried our 
clothes at the fire made by the negroes, and waited until 
the first draught was made with the seine, when not a 
single fish was caught, the company, consisting of Cranch, 
Tudor, Lockhart, a marine, and myself, proceeded along 
the shore. This being the only opportunity we should 
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