240 SAIL FOR CUTTUM-CURAFFEE. 



vessels down, and lay them up at Fernando Po, 

 confident that keeping them up the river would 

 only add to the enormous expense that had al- 

 ready been incurred, without the slightest chance 

 of remuneration ; and being aware that, with the 

 debilitated crews of the vessels, the only chance 

 of safety consisted in taking them down on the 

 rising water. 



As I did not consider that the river had risen 

 sufficiently to enable us to proceed without dan- 

 ger of stranding, I determined to pay Cuttum- 

 CurafFee a visit, as I found that our tallow was 

 expended, and I had been informed by the na- 

 tives that plenty of Shea butter could be ob- 

 tained there, which would answer equally well 

 for the engine. Although not thirty miles dis- 

 tant, this town had not been visited by any per- 

 son belonging to the vessels. The chief was 

 indebted to us for a considerable quantity of 

 goods, for which there appeared little chance 

 of getting anything, without a personal appli- 

 cation, and this circumstance formed an addi- 

 tional reason for my going to Cuttum-CurafFee 

 at this time. 



After a few days' rest, taking Mr. Hector and 

 seven Kroomen, I set out for Cuttum-CurafFee, 



