TREACHERY. 
369 
Finding it impossible to obtain any satisfactory 
elucidation of the matter. Lieutenant Webb was anxious 
to have got Boy on board, and unless lie afforded 
great proofs of sincerity, to have taken him on to Fer- 
nando Po ; but having only a weakened and unarmed 
boat’s crew, to oppose to Boy’s numerous followers, 
strongly encamped, and supported by large armed 
canoes, he returned on board, and got the vessel under 
weigh, with a view to interrupt a retreat into Aboh, 
and thus perhaps intimidate the Brass chief into a 
compliance, without having recourse to actual hos- 
tilities. Owing, however, to the confusion and delay, 
occasioned by the numerous canoes which surrounded 
the vessel, Boy was enabled to make his escape up 
Aboh Creek, across which the ‘ Wilberforce’ was laid, 
in ignorance of his having already past. 
In the meantime King Obi had come on board, but 
alarmed at the movement of the vessel, he quitted it 
in one of his canoes, and proceeded to his town, des- 
pite of all entreaties to remain, and assurances that 
the white men were his friends. 
Disappointed at not being able to bring King Boy 
to account, the two messengers (Brass men) were 
secured, in the expectation of getting further informa- 
tion from them, in case their chief could not be induced 
to furnish it, Tbe sickly state of the white crew, 
eight in number — three of whom were dangerously ill 
with fever, and two others complaining — rendered it 
absolutely imperative to remain as short a time as 
2 B 
VOL. II. 
