OPEN A SHOP. 159 



ground, as the natives did not appear very ready- 

 to bring their goods on board the vessel. In 

 clearing the ground for the hut v^e started two 

 wild swans, and Dr. Briggs winged one of them 

 with his fowling-piece, but he was too expert 

 a diver to be taken. We soon after found their 

 nest with nine noble eggs in it, which the Doc- 

 tor speedily converted into a savoury omelet. 



On the 29th of January we opened our market 

 with a salute of nine guns, from two four-pounders 

 that I had landed there, having previously sent 

 word to all the towns about us of our intention. 

 Few people attended, and we only took ten 

 thousand cowries on our first day. Dr. Briggs 

 superintended, as I was confined by a severe 

 attack of fever, and suffered for his kindness, 

 as the exertion brought on a smart return of 

 intermittent. 



As I passed many happy as well as melan- 

 choly days at this place, I will here introduce 

 a general account of the country between Eboe 

 and the confluence of the Shary and Niger, 

 some description of its inhabitants, their man- 

 ners and customs, its productions and physical 

 formation, with the mode of life which we led 

 on board the Quorra, as my daily journal would 



