70 PREPARATIONS FOR ASCENDING THE RIVER. 



forecastle, where the men are much more crowded 

 together. 



On the 23rd, the celebrated King Boy, the same 

 who had ransomed Mr. Lander and his brother, 

 and conveyed them down the river from Eboe, 

 came from Brass Town and paid a visit to his 

 old acquaintance. We were busily engaged in 

 receiving goods from the Columbine, and in tran- 

 shipping into her all our spare sails, &c. Mr. 

 Lander assured me that there was no necessity for 

 taking any salt provisions up the river, as we 

 should get abundance before we reached Eboe. 

 However, I thought it but prudent to take with 

 us a supply for three months, in case of any mis- 

 understanding with the natives, although he as- 

 signed two months as the utmost limit for our 

 passage to and from the upper country. Mr. 

 Lander was also of opinion that sufficient ivory 

 would be obtained in that time to load one of the 

 steamers ; but from the conversation which I had 

 had with Mr. M'Lean at Cape Coast, although I 

 wished he might be right, I could not help doubt- 

 ing it very much. 



The weather since we entered the river had 

 been anything but favourable for our operations : 

 it had rained almost incessantly, which was very 



