BENIN BRANCH OF THE RIVER. 337 



getting below me in the river, and also the 

 natives of Hyammah from combining with each 

 other to oppose our passage. 



A very heavy fog, common in this part of the 

 country just before daybreak, came on at 5 a. m. 

 and obliged us to anchor until six, when it 

 cleared away, and we were enabled to proceed 

 on our journey, and entered the Benin branch, 

 bearing west. By mistake we had got a consi- 

 derable distance down this branch before we 

 were aware of our error. On referring to my 

 journal, I found the Benin branch bearing west 

 above four hours' run from Eboe, It was this 

 branch we had entered : Mr. Laird had entered 

 it in a similar manner by mistake. As I had no 

 men, I had no inclination to proceed down, or I 

 have no doubt I should have come out in the 

 Bight of Benin. 



The towns wore a very different appearance 

 from what they did on my going up. On former 

 occasions it was usual to see numbers of the na- 

 tives congregated on the banks eager to watch 

 the vessel as she passed ; but now everything was 

 altered. At the small towns the natives fled into 

 the bush behind plantain and banana trees, or 

 concealed themselves behind their houses, armed 



VOL. II. z 



