ACCIDENT TO AUTHOR. 81 



to S.E., and once to south half east, the depth 

 being from seven to eight fathoms. We passed 

 in the course of the day two considerable streams 

 running into, and two running out of, the main 

 river. The country improved considerably in 

 its aspect also. The splendid African oak and 

 wild cotton trees appeared on the banks. 



On stepping down from the paddle-box this 

 morning, I ran the spike of the chevaux-de-frise 

 through my foot. It was Dr. Briggs's opinion 

 that the sheath of the tendon was injured, which 

 a little quiet would soon set to rights. I adopted 

 my favourite plan of starving to keep down in- 

 flammation. We continued under steam until 

 nine in the evening, but found it difficult to work 

 in the dark. 



We started again at six in the morning of the 

 1st of November, and found the river in one 

 reach lying to the west of south. In the after- 

 noon, one of the crew, a boy, was taken ill with 

 an attack of ague. In the course of the day we 

 had a visit from the chiefs of two villages that we 

 passed. One of them was an intelligent fellow, 

 and complained bitterly of the Brass people not 

 allowing him to take his palm-oil either to 

 Bonny or the Nun. He presented me with two 



VOL. T. G 



