CHAPTER VIII. 
The Expedition enters the Nun branch of the Niger — Death of Bach, 
the instrument-maker from fever — Physical characters of the mouth 
of the river — Curious effect of the rising tide — Chemical ex- 
amination of the waters — Geology — Shells — Bodies of females 
exposed on the sea-beach— Surprise of the natives at our interest 
in them — Woods on the right bank — Beautiful birds — The black 
swallow — Rhyncops, or scissor-bill — Dangers of seining — Saw- 
fish sharks — ^The village of Akassa — Dwellings of the natives — Their 
customs — Diseases of the natives — The Chief, Enemery — ‘ Boyds’ 
traffic withAboh — *Jack Fire’ — The Reverend J. Miiller’s prayer — 
Pass through Louis Creek — Magnificent scenery — Monkeys in their 
native woods — Village of Paraboli — Alligator as a Ju-ju, or Fetiche 
— Alarm of the natives — Stillness of the Niger at night — Insect 
music — Natives — Rum preferred to Coffee — Village of Kiambli — 
White man said to live at Tchebhy — Rude Ju-ju idol — Ingyama — 
Inhabitants terrified by the * Devil ship ’ — Lofty trees — New 
channel — Ogulbah — Scenery — Otua — Communication with the na- 
tives — Curious fashions in arranging the hair, 
Friday, August 13. — The time had now arrived for 
the commencement of the arduous undertaking, to 
which our thoughts had been so long directed. H.M. 
steam-vessels ‘Albert’ and ‘Soudan’ having completed 
their preparations, weighed at daylight, and — under the 
pilotage of Lieutenant Levinge, who had previously 
