OUR JOURNEY UP THE NIGER AND BENUE 27 



himself described, " all naked to the hungry croc," while 

 the boys beat the air with the poles to scare away the unwel- 

 come companions of the bath. I remember how once he 



CEOSSING THE RIVER ON A GOURD 



spent the greater part of a day, paddling himself about, 

 native fashion, naked on a large gourd, enjoying himself 

 hugely at the time, but at night he suffered terribly for his 

 contempt of the sun. When he went to bed he was feeling 

 very sore from sunburn, and presently — to use his own 

 description — the pains of hell got hold upon him and he was 

 burning red from head to foot and his skin swelled and rose 

 up in huge water-bhsters that kept him in acute torture for 

 days, for he was Hterally flayed alive. 



As we journeyed in the boats, a good deal of work was 



