ALBURKAH AGROUND. 449 



that the Tchadda is formed by the rains from 

 the surrounding mountains. We could obtain 

 no information whatever which enabled us to 

 come to a just conclusion respecting it. When 

 full, the Tchadda must be a very fine and noble 

 river ; but there are a number of islands, which, 

 with its shallow channels, here and there impede 

 its navigation. 



On the morning of the 16th, at 5. 45, got 

 under weigh, and I was not sorry at the idea of 

 quitting this inhospitable country. Our fuel be- 

 ing green, it was some time before the steam was 

 up, which delayed us a little. We chose a reach 

 leading to the northward, and passed two towns, 

 but only saw one native : the poor creatures, 

 being terrified at our approach, generally con- 

 cealed themselves. 



About 8 A. M. we unfortunately got into shoal 

 water, with only one fathom round us, while we 

 were drawing five feet and a quarter. The wea- 

 ther showery and hazy. Mr. Lander, though still 

 indisposed, was better. We passed a tree the 

 blossoms of which resembled a honeysuckle ; 

 another bore a flower of the finest purple. On 

 the south-west side, the banks were clothed with 

 grass, about six or seven feet high. At noon we 



VOL. I. 2 G 



