ADUKU. 
131 
was strong throughout ; and in the afternoon at half- 
past five, we were off the clilFs at Iddah. At six, 
anchored two miles below Iddah. Commander B. 
Allen was in a very languid low state ; but sufficiently 
sensible to express his gratification at the hopes of 
being soon out of the river. Our rapid progress during 
the day inspired all the patients with new hopes. 
Our only marine capable of duty was, however, added 
to the sick list in the evening. Running about the 
deck all day managing the ship, (with the assistance 
of Brown, the negro clerk, who was in the Niger with 
Lander,} and looking after the patients, I was fain to 
lay myself down at night, and enjoy a few hours sleep. 
The state of the sick, however, required my being called 
several times during the night. Mr. Willie has been 
delirious during the afternoon. 
October ll^A. — ^In the morning our old friend 
Adaku, the Attah’s son, came on board, accompanied 
by two mallams, to know “what was the matter?” 
Why we had not, as friends of the Attah, “ anchored 
in his waters, near to his town,” as we had done 
before. The Atthh* had desired them to say, “ he 
* Tills term was nowliere used in the Niger except at Iddah. Its 
identity with tlie Greek word “ Arra,” signifying father, chief, or one 
to be looked upon with respect, will at once be remarked. But it 
appears that Attah as expressive of ‘‘ father’’ is very common in 
many languages. However, it is not considered a word which one 
language borrows from another, but rather what is called a word of 
organic origin; *.<?., a word that exists in language, independent of 
any philological connexion. 
K 2 
