182 MEET ABBOKA. 



carried on in the interior ; the only, and I fear 

 the greatest, objection to the establishment of a 

 commercial intercourse being the great mortality 

 and unhealthiness of the climate. Great as have 

 been the losses of the present expedition, I do 

 not think that such would again be the case, as 

 we have acquired more accurate information, 

 and are better acquainted with the most favour- 

 able time for undertaking such an expedition. 



After leaving Kirree, there was a very visible 

 change in the appearance of the river; not a 

 canoe was discernible, and the most profound 

 silence reigned everywhere. At 10 in the even- 

 ing we made our halt for the night on a sand- 

 bank. The canoe was very leaky, owing to the 

 severe concussion it had received from the Bonny 

 canoe. 



The next morning at 5, we continued on our 

 way up the river. As we passed along, we saw a 

 great number of slaves engaged in the cultivation 

 of tobacco ; and shortly after, met Abboka on a 

 sandbank near to Damuggoo. The old man was 

 very glad to see me, and embraced me most cor- 

 dially three times. He made frequent inquiries 

 after Mr. Lander, asking if he was well, repeat- 



