LAND AT RABBAH. 55 



with villages all round the suburbs. We went 

 inside a small island under the town, where we 

 anchored at 6. 10 p. m. in a kind of bay, in one 

 fathom and a half water. 



The king was apprised of our intention to fire 

 a salute, and the walls of Rabbah, for the first 

 time, re-echoed with the sound of British cannon, 

 and her people witnessed a novel sight in the 

 arrival of a British steam-vessel constructed of 

 iron. After our salute, our people broke out 

 into three hearty cheers, which perhaps surprised 

 still more the thousands of human beings that 

 were assembled before the walls of Rabbah. 



As we had neared the city, a great number of 

 Felatah horsemen were seen coming out to look 

 at the vessel ; one of whom was particularly con- 

 spicuous, from riding on a white horse. 



Having anchored our vessel late, we lay quiet 

 till the next morning, when we prepared to visit 

 the king. Horses having been sent to the water- 

 side for us. Lieutenant Allen, Mr. Lander, and 

 myself went ashore, accompanied by some Kroo- 

 men ; and I enjoyed the satisfaction of being the 

 first Christian who had ever landed at Rabbah. 

 The horses were small, and we found consider- 

 able difficulty in mounting, from the concourse 



