THE ALBURKAII ASCENDS THE RIVER. 417 



pected. From the 19th to the 26th of July, I 

 was much engaged in attendance on the sick of 

 both vessels, and in the agreeable task of writ- 

 ing to my friends in England. The despatches 

 were taken on board the Quorra, to be forwarded 

 from the sea-side. 



The 27th of July, being the day appointed for 

 proceeding up the interior in the Alburkah with 

 Mr. Lander, I took leave of Mr. Laird, and at 

 1 2 o'clock we were under weigh. Mr. Laird had 

 rapidly improved during the last few days, and 

 though he still continued in a very weak and 

 debilitated condition, I was in hopes that the 

 sea-breeze would be of essential service to him. 



The river was now evidently rising rapidly ; 

 the sandbank on which we had halted on our 

 passage up, was completely covered with water, 

 as well as the huts upon it. Our friend Abbo- 

 ka met with a serious misfortune, the night be- 

 fore we left, in his house being set on fire, as it 

 was supposed, purposely. Since leaving Attah, 

 the depth has varied from one to two and 

 three-quarters fathoms. At 7- 30, p. m. we came 

 to an anchor off Attacollico. The following 

 day, being short of wood, we sent the Kroomen 



VOL. I. 2 E 



