142 CANOE UPSET. 



by some fishermen; and tobacco, knives, and 

 beads were given them in exchange. The cur- 

 rent here was very strong. A large canoe filled 

 with wood, containing nine natives and a goat, 

 was upset alongside the vessel, owing to the 

 rapidity of the current. Some of the natives 

 swam ashore ; but one caught hold of the paddle- 

 box, threw his legs round the neck of the goat, 

 and saved it from being carried down the stream. 



Having received a supply of wood sufficient to 

 last us several hours, we got under weigh at 

 6 p. M. and proceeded on our course by moon- 

 light, until past 8, when it became thick and 

 foggy, and we anchored in two fathoms water. 

 Between 6 and 7 we passed the branch of a river 

 leading to Benin. 



At 6 the following morning, we left our an- 

 chorage. The depth of the water varied from 

 two and a half to ten fathoms. At no period 

 could the Niger be seen to greater advantage 

 than at this time : it is only when the river is 

 full that its actual breadth can be ascertained ; 

 in this part it is from two to two and a half 

 miles wide. We observed a few natives on the 

 banks, and passed a town, on the left, abreast of 

 the place where an attack was made upon Mr. 



