184 
A NEW BRANCH. 
and stated at once his conviction that granite would be 
found further up, which proved to be the case. 
The villages, as we proceeded, became more frequent, 
larger and with more cultivation, while the oil-palm was 
ev^erywhere seen ; the cocoa-nut tree was only near the 
villages, a proof they are not indigenous, according to 
Dr. Vogel. 
Soon after mid-day, passed a pretty village on the 
left bank, called Ingyama, where a few natives were 
seen peeping round the corners of their huts, in fright 
and astonishment at the “ Devil-ship.” The scenery was 
fine on all sides, everywhere might be seen the magnificent 
Bombax, or cotton tree ; here and there a tree covered 
with a sort of scarlet flower, while the graceful palm, and 
clumps not unlike bamboo, aided the effect. 
Captain Trotter made the signal for the ‘ Wilbcrforce’ 
to examine a converging hi’anch on the right bank, 
which we pui'sucd in the expectation of its speedily lead- 
ing us again into the main stream ; but soon its winding 
reaches evidently led us far away to the westward. We 
had, therefore, discovered a new and important channel, 
which — believing himself ordered to explore — Com- 
mander W. Allen decided on following, in the full convic- 
tion that, as we were stemming the current^ it must lead 
us sooner or later, into the main river, according to what 
has been previously said at page 177. This branch, called 
by the natives O’guborih, trending in a N.W. direction, 
was about four hundred yards wide, and twenty-five feet 
deep. A heavy squall obliged us to anchor for a short 
