160 
CROSSING THE BAR. 
examined it — steamed over the bar in safety, though 
with a considerable surf, as the time of high water was 
not favourable. 
\bth , — The ‘ Wilberforce ’ having more goods and 
furniture to take for the Model Farm, was not ready 
till this morning. We weighed at daylight. By crossing 
the bar at three-quarters flood, we had it very smooth, 
and the last of the tide aided us to the anchorage. 
It was a moment of deep and breathless expectation ; 
both as being a passage of considerable difficulty ; and 
as being the first absolute step in that path, so full 
of novelty and exciting interest, but which all knew 
must be fraught with danger; yet their zeal did not 
suffer such anticipations to darken their prospect, and 
the accomplishment of the entrance of the River Niger 
was announced by three cheers from the whole crew. 
