ANCHOR WITHIN CAPE NUN. 
15 
who for some time called out the soundings as last as 
possible. The danger may be imagined, when we 
say that the vessel drew five feet three inches, and 
the depth for some distance varied from five feet six 
inches to six feet. On entering Louis Creek the 
water gradually deepened, till we emerged from it in 
deep water, and in sight of the sea; on which the 
few men remaining on deck gave three cheers. But 
the joy which seemed to brighten all countenances at 
the near prospect of leaving this fatal river, could not 
fail speedily to give way to gloomy reflections, on the 
contrast which our present forlorn condition formed, 
with our brilliant anticipations on entering the Niger 
but little more than a month ago. 
We anchored at sunset with the last gasp of steam 
near our former berth, just within Cape Nun, so that 
we could have the benefit of the sea-breezes. 
The greater part of our sick were apparently re- 
covering, but there was one whose hopes and con- 
fidence had been of the highest, who was now fast 
drawing to the termination of his earthly voyages. 
To poor Mr. Cyrus Wakeham, purser, the freshness of 
the sea-breeze could bring no relief. He was past 
consciousness. 
The only occupant of this dreary estuary of the 
Niger was a small English schooner, the ‘Selina,’ 
trading in palm-oil. We looked in vain in the offing 
for one of the cruizers of the squadron, which we 
expected to find where tlic ‘ Buzzard’ had been so 
