318 
FROM ZEGZEG TO BADAGRY. 
similar to those mentioned before ; in the largest of which we 
rested for the night, and did not fix the tent. On crossing a river, 
apparently very narrow, to-day, my horse unexpectedly sunk several 
feet in mud and sand, and his legs becoming entangled in the roots 
of some trees lying at the bottom, fell on his side, and plunging 
violently, threw me off his back ; but not being able to get one of 
my feet from the stirrup, lay several seconds under water, in a most 
perilous and distressed state. Freeing myself at length from the 
stirrup, I got out much exhausted, and succeeded in extricating the 
horse also from his no less unpleasant situation. Some merchants 
told me afterwards at Ivhiama, that I might think myself highly 
fortunate in escaping so easily, the river being filled with large 
crocodiles. 
7th. — Started at six in the morning, and arrived at Yaro after 
sunset. The chief made us the usual presents of provisions, &c. 
A dreadful hurricane came on about nine o’clock in the evening, 
which lasted three hours, when it became awfully still and calm. 
The storm was unusually violent, and tore up large trees by the 
roots ; the peals of thunder were fearfully loud, and shook the 
ground on which our tent was fixed ; while large masses of fire, 
falling from the heavens, added not a little to this scene of de- 
vastation and terror. 
8th. — Heavy rain all day ; unable to proceed. 
9th. — At half-past six in the morning continued our journey, 
and at noon entered the city of Khiama. Went immediately to 
the king’s residence, who, as soon as he saw me, asked how I dared 
to come into his town without having previously sent him a mes- 
senger to inform him of my approach. I answered I had sent one 
of his own men, three or four days before, to acquaint him of it. 
“ That is of no consequence,” he continued; “you should have sent 
another this morning. Get on horseback directly, and return an 
hour and a half’s journey the way you came : on arriving there, 
