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 Ave were bivouacked in the open air, Avetted us through. 

 In the morning we returned to Inga, whence I have sent 

 Lieut. Hawkey back to Cooloo, Avith 14 men of this place, 

 to bring up the provisions and presents ; intending immedi- 

 ately to procure tAvo 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 Congo empire, and 

 might once be considered as the university for teaching the 

 English language, and breeding up factors for the slave trade, 

 are noAv 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 



