INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 23I 
travelled through long grass and bushes, with great diffi- 
culty, until two o'clock in the afternoon ; when I came to a 
comparatively small, but very rapid river; which I took at first 
for a creek, or one of the streams of the Niger. However, 
after I had examined it with more attention, I was convinced 
that it was a distinct river; and as the road evidently cross- 
ed it (for I could see the pathway on the opposite side), I 
sat down upon the bank, in hopes that some traveller might 
arrive, who would give me the necessary information con- 
cerning the fording place; for the banks were so covered 
with reeds and bushes, that it would have been almost impos- 
sible to land on the other side, except at the pathway; which, 
on account of the rapidity of the stream, it seemed very diffi- 
cult to reach. No traveller, however, arriving, and there being 
a great appearance of rain, I examined the grass and bushes, 
for some way up the bank, and determined upon entering the 
river considerably above the pathway, in order to reach the 
other side before the stream had swept me too far down. With 
this view I fastened my clothes upon the saddle, and was 
standing up to the neck in water, pulling my horse by the 
bridle to make him follow me, when a man came accidentally 
to the place, and seeing me in the water, called to me with 
great vehemence to come out. The alligators, he said, would 
devour both me and my horse, if we attempted to swim over. 
When I had got out, the stranger, who had never before seen a 
European, seemed wonderfully surprised. He twice put his 
hand to his mouth, exclaiming in a low tone of voice, " God 
preserve me! who is this?" but when he heard me speak the 
