ALBURKAH RUNS AGROUND. 425 



reach we were now in lay about east three-quar- 

 ters south ; and with regret we saw that our 

 little vessel, at times, could scarcely stem the 

 rapidity and violence of the current. The river 

 is about fifteen hundred yards wide ; the banks 

 are flat, and appeared low. The country near 

 the river appeared to be far inferior to that on 

 the banks of the Niger; although, during the 

 last few miles, the country around us had assum- 

 ed a much more pleasing aspect. 



The river is wider, and is deeper, during 

 the last few miles; in some places we had 

 four fathoms water, but in other places it ap- 

 peared very shallow. This afternoon we dis- 

 turbed a very fine alligator, the longest I have 

 yet seen, being about thirteen feet long. He 

 swam a very considerable distance before he at- 

 tempted to sink. At 6 p. m. we unfortunately 

 ran into shoal water ; soundings before had been 

 two fathoms, and there was nearly that depth of 

 water at the bows. Some unsuccessful attempts 

 were made to get the vessel off; and, night 

 coming on, we were obliged to desist until the 

 morning. 



When on board the brig Columbine, Captain 

 Hill desired me to take charge of his property 



