PARTY RE-EMBARK. 
545 
March ; they are attended with tornadoes, thun- 
der, lightning, and fiery meteors. 
During this journey, the party received the 
first earnest of the train of calamity which was in 
store for them. Mr Tudor was first taken ill, and 
being soon found in a violent fever, was necessa- 
rily sent down the Congo. Mr Cranch soon fol- 
lowed. Mr Galwey was next seized, and though 
he struggled hard, and even rejoined the expedi- 
tion, was at last obliged to follow the example of 
his companions. Captain Tuckey himself began 
to feel, that he had miscalculated the strength of 
his constitution, and the benefits of a tropical cli- 
mate ; but amid severe attacks of illness, he never 
remitted his efforts to follow up the objects of the 
expedition. About twenty or twenty-four miles 
above Yellala, the river, which had long flowed 
in a narrow channel amid rocks, began to widen, 
and the whole aspect of the country to improve. 
At length they reached a point, at which all ob- 
structions to the navigation ceased ; and they 
were assured, that there existed a free navigation 
for a great way up the river. Here, after im- 
mense palavers, and by high bribes, they obtained 
two canoes, one of which was employed in con- 
veying the party, and the other the baggage. 
The river assumed now a majestic appearance, 
spreading to the breadth of three or four miles ; 
while the scenery on its banks sometimes suggest- 
VOL. I. Mm 
