WARLIKE APPEARANCE OF THE NATIVES. 439 



thing but agreeable. We afterwards passed two 

 small towns, but none of the natives were visible, 

 though at night I could hear the sound of voices 

 on the shore. Mr. Lander was very unwell dur- 

 ing the last few days, and this evening I applied 

 a blister to the lower part of the abdomen. 



At 11 A. M. on the 13th of August, we got 

 under weigh. A great deal of rain fell during 

 the night, and the morning was dull and gloomy. 

 Soundings, two fathoms. Mr. Lander found 

 himself somewhat easier. When the Kroomen 

 returned from cutting wood. Grey, their leader, 

 informed us, that in attempting to go ashore at 

 a small town a little below, the natives appeared 

 on the banks, armed with bows and arrows, and 

 resolutely opposed their landing. Accordingly 

 they crossed the river, and landed on the oppo- 

 site side ; but, had our men been armed with 

 guns, a trial of strength would, no doubt, have 

 taken place, and the result might have been un- 

 favourable to our proceedings. 



We were informed that the King of the Bassa 

 country had despatched a messenger to pay his 

 respects to the white men ; but the poor fellow, 

 from some cause or other, dared not venture on 

 board. He had been abreast the vessel several 



