368 
FILATAH INCURSIONS. 
determination to go on, as long as there was a shadow of 
hope of accomplishing what was committed to his 
direction. 
It was finally determined, that the ‘ Albert’ should 
endeavour to reach Rabban, with the view of making 
treaties with the King of the Filatahs and other chiefs, 
while the ‘ Wilberforce’ should, if circumstances would 
permit, carry out the intentions of Her Majesty’s 
Government, in the Bights of Benin and Biafra; or, 
if necessary proceed to Ascension 
During these discussions, the operations of landing 
the stores, &c. for the Model Farm had been continued. 
Many natives daily flocked on board the vessels, ap- 
pearing to sympathize with the sufferings which they 
witnessed among the crews ; and never was condo- 
lence more evidently, though silently, expressed than by 
the fine old Annajah Amch Abokko. 
The Annajah said, that the Filatahs had marched 
down upon his province three years ago, 1838: the 
inhabitants, as usual, took refuge on the sand banks in 
the middle of the river, and their enemies not having 
commenced theii* retreat before the floods set in, they 
were compelled to retire from both these ruthless inva- 
ders to the left bank, where they found themselves so 
secure, that they have remained there ever since, aban- 
doning the homes of their fathers, from which they 
have been so frequently driven. They, however, would 
gladly return, and rebuild their town under the auspices 
of the white men, if we would settle there, and protect 
