212 
EDEEYAH HUNT. 
cerned, it was not the intention of Her Majesty’s 
Government to renew the Expedition to the Niger.” 
This intelligence had the effect of determining Cap- 
tain Allen to delay his proposed ascent, in the hope 
of being relieved from responsibility by instructions 
from England ; and the arrival of H.M. Brig ‘ Rapid,’ 
on her way to the Bight of Benin, gave an opportunity 
of inquiring into the rumour of the attack of the Model 
Farm and the death of Mr. Carr, both of which objects 
Lieutenant Earle kindly undertook. 
While the ‘Driver’ was lying in the bay, taking in 
fuel, some of the officers being very anxious to witness 
the Edeeyah method of hunting, we made an arrange- 
ment with oiu’ friend the Chief of Bannapa to assemble 
his people; which he did on the 16th. However, only 
Mr. Phayre and another would venture, some one 
having hinted at the possibility of jungle fever and 
other perils. We started off to the place of rendezvous 
about three miles from Clarence, and there found our 
Edeeyah allies congi'egated to the number of two hun- 
dred. The place selected for the scene of the day’s 
amusement was beautifidly picturesque and diversified^ 
and we only required a more favourable state of the 
weather to have enjoyed it more fuUy. The unclothed 
and clay-bedaubed natives were lying about in little 
groups, smoking with evident gusto the much-prized 
tobacco, and speculating on the success of the day. 
Soon after our arrival they commenced fastening a 
large net made of cocoa-nut or palm fibre to the sur- 
