2T0 PROFESSOR SMITH'S JOURNAL. 



with them, while the pretended gentlemen encouraged 

 them. 



Fitzmaurice, accompanied by Tom Liverpool, had made 

 an excursion in the morning, in order to examine a sand- 

 bank to the southward of Cabenda, mentioned by 

 Grandpre ; but it was found to be so near the shore, that 

 it was not thought to be of any consequence to us. About 

 noon, we could discover some of the vessels at anchor 

 under the high banks ; and, on a projecting low point to 

 the south-ward of the harbour, some huts were observed to 

 be scattered among the trees. After our guests had left us 

 Fitzmaurice was again sent out; Galwey and myself ac- 

 companied him, and Hawkey soon joined us. Though it 

 was ali;eady growing dark, the thought of approaching for 

 the first time so near the soil of Africa, afforded us great 

 joy. From our anchorage, which was four miles distant 

 from the shore, the depth M^as gradually diminishing. No 

 breakers were observed until we came close under the land, 

 the breakers running parallel with it to a great distance. 

 We proceeded along the banks. The breakers were here 

 so inconsiderable that a landino- mio-ht have been effected 

 without any difficulty ; but as the officers did not partici- 

 pate in the eagerness I felt to visit the shore, we did not 

 approach it nearer than at a distance of some hundred 

 yards. It was a level tract of land, covered with wood, 

 and in some places having small open plains, on which 

 stood larger trees; from this plain we were separated by a 

 white strand. A bright m(»on-light aiding the awakened 

 e;nthusiasm of my mind, made me fancy that I beheld 



