54 ZAGOSHIE. 



the course of the last, they were within fifty miles 

 of that place ; but the rains coming on, they 

 were prevented from continuing their campaign. 

 At 12, the reach was due north. We passed a 

 town very prettily situated on a point on the 

 left bank of the river. 



During the last two days a great number of 

 palm-trees were seen on the banks. The weather 

 being showery, we could not see our way well, 

 and at 2. 45 ran aground ; but in half an hour 

 afterwards we got off again. We now passed 

 the extreme point of the island of Zagoshie, off 

 Ilabbah. A canoe belonging to the King of the 

 " Dark Water," shortly after passed us ; and we 

 arrived in sight of Rabbah — a circumstance 

 which gave us all great satisfaction. 



As we rapidly approached the town, it ap- 

 peared to be situated on the slope of a rising 

 ground ; and the houses being built one above 

 the other, impart to it the appearance of an am- 

 phitheatre. With the aid of a glass we could 

 discern an amazing crowd of natives assembled 

 on the banks ; but, what was more in accordance 

 with our wishes, we could distinguish horses, 

 cows, bullocks, sheep, and goats. As we drew 

 nearer, we found the city to be of immense extent. 



