463 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. XXXV. 
laid down in its lower course by Messrs. W. Allen, 
Laird, and Oldfield, I had long made up my mind 
on this point, thanks to the clear information re- 
ceived from my friend Ahmed bel Mejiib. I had 
now with my own eyes clearly established the di- 
rection and nature of this mighty river; and to an 
unprejudiced mind there could no longer be any 
doubt that this river joins the majestic watercourse 
explored by the gentlemen just mentioned.* Hence 
I cherish the well-founded conviction, that along this 
natural highroad European influence and commerce 
will penetrate into the very heart of the continent, 
and abolish slavery, or rather those infamous slave- 
hunts and religious Avars, destroying the natural 
germs of human happiness, which are spontaneously 
developed in the simple life of the pagans, and 
spreading devastation and desolation all around. 
We descended towards the place of embarkation, 
which at this season of the year changes every week, or 
even more frequently. At present it was at the mouth 
of a small, deeply- worn channel, or dry watercourse, 
descending from the swampy meadow-grounds to- 
wards the river, and filled with tall reed-grass and 
bushes. Here was the poor little naval arsenal of 
the Tepe, consisting of three canoes, two in good 
* That this river is anywhere really called Chadda, or even 
Tsadda, I doubt very much ; and I am surprised that the members 
of the late expedition in the "Pleiad " do not say a word on this 
point. I think the name Chadda was a mere mistake of Lander's, 
confirmed by Allen, owing to their fancying it an outlet of Lake 
Tsad. 
