PROFESSOR SMITH'S JOURNAL. 281 



obliged to steer out of it. Tlie vessel was very difficult to 

 manage in the current. We had soon passed the mid- 

 channel, which is scarcely more than 1^ 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 litde 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 clums\' 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. INIost of us were completely wet, though the 

 swell of the sea Avas 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, Avhen 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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