246 
AN EXCURSION. 
with double awniugs, a swivel placed in the bow, 
small arms, and provisions for several days, with a 
crew of nine black men, under Jack Smoke, the faith- 
ful head Kruman. Three officers, Lieutenant Sidney, 
Ten-y’% and Stirlingf, accompanied Captain Allen, as 
also Mr. Lilly, agent to Messrs. Hamilton and Jackson, 
who had kindly proffered his services, being not only 
somewhat acquainted with the river, but perfectly so 
with the character of the rude people about to be 
visited. We started soon after noon, on the 7th, with 
beautiful clear weather and an agreeable temperature. 
As a matter of courtesy, or more probably, from 
anxiety respecting our proceedings. King BeU and his 
son Prince Beppo in their large state canoes, formed an 
escort. Old Glasgow, a pilot, who spoke English very 
well, took the helm, not a little proud to be entrusted 
with the “war canoe of Queen Victoria’s ship,” and soon 
after leaving the ‘ Wilberforce,’ we entered a narrow 
and direct channel on the left bank. King Bell took 
the lead, but was soon out of sight, as with our 
heavily laden boat and few paddles, we could not keep 
pace with him. We soon found ourselves involved in 
a labyrinth of creeks, formed by numerous mud islands 
thickly overgrown with mangroves. 
The pilot, however, appeared to know his way 
quite well, and he attended to Captain Allen’s instruc- 
tions to follow the windings of the channel, which 
frequently led us close to the bushes ; a leadsman in 
* Acting Secretary to the Commissioners. t Assistant-Surgeon. 
