178 
SOLITARY SCENEJ5. 
scarcely one hundred and twenty yards wide, but on 
advancing, we passed several divergents, and the width 
and depth increased proportionably, as well as the strength 
of the current, a necessary consequence of the volume of 
water being confined to one channel instead of spreading 
over and inundating the mangrove swamps. 
The banks began gradually to assume -the appearance 
of firmer land ; at first, without any vestiges of the 
operations of man; but soon, some small cultivated 
patches were seen ; bearing plantains, a few fishing- 
stakes and a small fishing-hut, &c. 
A native, in a veiy tiny canoe, made his appearance 
for a moment, and then hid himself in one of the 
numerous little creeks w^hich intersect these swamps. 
The universal stillness of the scene was very im- 
posing ; unbroken as it was by any sound, save the 
dashing of our own paddle-wheels, and the clear 
musical cry of the leadsman, which aided the effect, 
falling on the ear in measured cadence. The large and 
umbrageous trees, with their festoons of Orchideis and 
purjile and white Convolvuli hanging from the branches, 
formed a combination of forest scenery, so striking, 
novel, and interesting, as enabled us to forget that the 
much-talked- of Delta of the Niger had been fairly 
entered upon. Several monkeys were noticed hopping 
about with their wonted agility, which, as far as we 
could make out, seemed to he the Mona or Cercopi- 
thecus mona : the little gamboUers sprung from tree to 
tree as if intent on tiying rate of speed wdth us. The 
