sent out from Liverpool to trade in the Niger. 15 



tie was received by a guard of about three hundred men, 

 almost all armed with muskets, and some dressed like British 

 soldiers. After arranging matters and establishing themselves 

 upon an amicable footing, they transacted a good deal of busi- 

 ness ; acquired a few tons of ivory and some skins of tigers, 

 lions, leopards, &c. : the ivory was bought at the rate of 4d. 

 per pound. 



They did not remain here long, but proceeded higher up, and 

 in their way passed several small villages and towns, some of 

 the inhabitants of which annoyed them so much by their firing 

 that they were necessitated to burn many of them. They had 

 been up the river four or five months*, during which period 

 many had died and almost all had been sick, among'st them the 

 surgeon, whose duty Lander performed as long- as he was able. 

 A dysentery attack, however, soon deprived all of what assist- 

 ance he had been able to afford, and in consequence of the utter 

 want of proper attendance all were reduced to a most wretched 

 condition. 



Lander became at last so unwell that he made up his mind to 

 return down the river to the brig, and try what could be done. 

 This he accomplished with the greatest difficulty and at great 

 risk, having passed fourteen days and nights in a canoe, 

 descending by means of a rapid current at the rate of ten miles 

 an hour. After he arrived at the brig he found himself to be 

 80 much worse that he determined upon going to Fernando Po 

 to recruit. That he reached about the 27th of April without 

 tornadoes or rain, which was a fortunate circumstance, as had 

 he been exposed to either he must have perished, being in an 

 open boat. 



Every proper attention was paid him on his arrival, and I am 

 happy to say that when I left he appeared rallying fast. Since 

 that I have received a letter, informing me that Captain Trotter 

 was about to take him over to the Nun again, to join the expe- 

 dition. He told me he would take 30 days at least to reach the 

 steamer, as there would be a strong current to contend with. 



He seemed to think the expedition would answer, with a few 

 alterations ; he considered that Kroomen should be employed in 

 the boat work, such as wooding and watering, which seemed to 

 constitute the chief of their work. It is understood he is to 

 have one-fifth of the profits of the voyage. But he does not 

 expect to return to the coast again, although the company 

 should still continue to send out vessels, there being no provision 

 whatever for his family in the event of his death. The govern- 

 ment have held out employment to him on his return to England, 

 which he intends to accept in prefercjice to venturing again on 

 this coast. 



Probably when Lander left tlicni to return to tlic brig. — Eds, 



