EBONJBH CREEK. 
261 
prevents the retreat of his prey. The island seemed to 
be very thickly populated, but chiefly on the banks ; 
the huts forming a continuous town for nearly half of 
its circuit, at the upper end. The people gathered in 
crowds at every landing-place, inviting us to come on 
shore ; and the young women and children, accompanied 
us for some distancee, running along the banks. 
We noticed some girls who were beautifully formed — 
the graceful action of their limbs in running, being un- 
impeded by any garment; though they appeared to 
appreciate the value of ornament, from the tasteful 
way in which their heads were decorated with large 
beads, &c. On reaching the upper end of Wuri Island 
we turned into the Ebonjeh Creek, which separates it 
from the main land on the left bank. This creek or 
branch is much narrower than the other. The banks 
were here also crowded with the inquisitive natives, 
who ran along shouting and waving for us to land. 
Passing rapidly down with the current, we soon re- 
joined the main stream. 
The pilot having asserted that the town of Abo — at 
the source of the Yabikng River — the little afiluent we 
had passed in going up, was at a distance of only six 
hours, and navigable for canoes, it was considered ad- 
visable to examine it, especially as we had the benefit of 
a little flood-tide. This stream is not so broad as the 
other, being only about one hundred and twenty yards 
wide ; and at a distance of six miles, it is divided by a 
low woody island. We were obliged to take the 
