WAR-CANOES. 395 



countenances peeping from behind the trees. 

 At this place we got into a wrong branch of the 

 river while admiring a very pretty island : this 

 branch is said to lead to Fundah. In a few 

 minutes we were abreast of the identical spot 

 where the Messrs. Lander were plundered on their 

 way down the river. The sandbank is very large ; 

 and when we passed it, there were upwards of 

 thirty canoes alongside, the traders in them be- 

 ing engaged in cooking. 



On the previous morning we had a very narrow 

 escape ; and had it not been that we showed our- 

 selves ready, and the natives observed our little 

 swivels, the consequences would have been se- 

 rious. In passing a large town on the left bank of 

 the river, at the opening of a branch leading to 

 Bonny, then dry, we observed two immense war- 

 canoes : one was on our larboard quarter, and the 

 other, at a distance of one hundred yards, came 

 bearing down directly on us. Seeing that they 

 were bent on mischief, I sprang forward to the 

 swivel in the bows, and pointed it to the canoe 

 on the larboard quarter. The natives observed 

 me turn the gun round, and every one of them 

 immediately jumped overboard, after throwing 

 down their muskets and cutlasses, a great many 



