MEET THE ETHIOPE. 
137 
At a number of tbe villages we passed during tlie day, 
the confidence and friendly disposition of the natives 
were shown, by their having canoe-loads of wood, 
ready to be launched and brought off to us. Many 
large canoes with palm oil were seen, belonging chiefly 
to King Peppel of Bonny. 
At three p.m., when near Stirling Island, a steamer, 
which we at once perceived did not belong to the 
Expedition, was seen coming up the river at full speed ; 
we were soon close to her ; and in a very short time 
Captain Beecroft came alongside from the ‘ Ethiope,’ 
(Mr. Jamieson’s vessel,) for such she was. He at 
once offered any assistance in his power ; and it was 
finally arranged that he was to send his engineer on 
board the ‘Albert’ next morning; and that the 
‘ Ethiope’ was to return with us, taking the lead, as 
Captain Beecroft had a perfect knowledge of the river. 
Both vessels anchored for the night. Captain Trotter 
much better ; Commander B. Allen, Lieutenant Sten- 
house, and Mr. Webb very low, and one of the marines 
fast sinking. 
Thursday, October lith . — Both vessels weighed at 
six in the morning. The weather was beautiful 
throughout the day, and our progress downwards was 
rapid. In the afternoon, the re-appearance of the 
mangrove on both banks above Sunday Island, pro- 
claimed that we were once more within the influence 
of the tide. At six in the evening we both anchored 
