"the STELLA." 387 



During the voyage, between the attacks of fever, 

 I occupied myself in making preparations for a trip 

 up the Gaboon river; and Walker having very kindly 

 placed the services of the ship's carpenter and sail- 

 make]* at my disposition, my boat was thoroughly 

 overhauled, an iron bar screwed along the keel to 

 strengthen it, and moveable stanchions fixed, so as 

 to enable me to rig up a canvas tent from stem to 

 stern as a shelter against the sun and rain. I also 

 altered her rig, fitting her with spritsail and jigger 

 of light duck, and converted the whole of her bows 

 and fore part into a waterproof locker, which fas- 

 tened with lock and key — a very necessary arrange- 

 ment in a land where every man is born a thief. 

 When these arrangements were completed, we gave 

 her a couple of coats of white lead, inside and out, 

 and painted her name, " The Stella," on the stern, 

 after a favourite old craft in which I have had 

 many a jolly cruise in Italian waters. 



We lived very well on board the " Minerva," and 



notwithstanding constant calms and light variable 



winds, had it not been for the periodical attacks 



of fever, I should have had a very pleasant time, 



2 c 2 



