THE EMBOUCHURE OF THE NIGER. 
157 
with electricity, and had a very depressing effect ; while 
the low and dense clouds hung over the prospect like 
an impenetrable veil. On the following morning, we 
made out that we had anchored off the Rio Sengana ; 
as it cleared up, we saw H. M. S. ‘ Albert’ and ‘ Buzzard’ 
lying about eight miles to the S. E. 
Weighed and ran towards them; and in the course of 
the day all the Expedition assembled off the Rio Nun, 
by which mouth of the Niger we intended to enter. 
The weather was so bad here and with such a heavy sea, 
especially in shallow water, that the vessels were obliged 
to anchor eight or nine miles from the entrance of the river. 
The heavy rolling very much impeded our operation of 
taking in our last supply of coals, stores and provisions, 
and even rendered it dangerous to the boats and the 
men employed in them. The goods, especially, belong- 
ing to the Model Farm, were difficult to remove, on 
account of the weight, bulk and quantity. The pro- 
moters of that auxiliary undertaking being naturally 
anxious to ensure its prosperity as far as depended on 
their exertions, had spared no expense in providing 
everything which could be required for its advancement. 
It would perhaps have been better for them, and would 
have caused much less delay to the Expedition if these 
supplies, so generously furnished, had been proportioned 
to the progressive wants of an infant settlement. 
When the freshes came out, the line of demarcation 
between the river and sea-water could be distinctly 
traced for many miles along the shore with its tortuous 
