Jan. 11, 1858.] REPORTS FROM THE NIG EH EXPEDITION. 
87 
and intervened between the bank of the river and our road. It is 
the intention of the king and bis friends, as soon as tbe dry season 
commences, to return to tbe town of Rabba and rebuild it, as it bas 
now been a mass of ruins since be was defeated and driven away in 
1844 or 1845. 
Since we left tbe king’s encampment at Bida we bave continued 
our ascent, and on tbe 18tb we reached Rabba. Here I bave since 
remained to enable us to get our boilers and engines cleaned, some 
needful repairs completed, and a supply of wood obtained. We 
bave also taken advantage of the time to rerate our chronometers, to 
fix tbe town accurately, and to prepare and finish despatches and 
tracings of our work for sending to England, and I bave now on 
board a messenger kindly sent with us by tbe king of Nufi and 
Dasaba to carry our despatches to Honu, as tbe two brothers possess 
considerable influence in tbe Joruba country. I believe that with 
their aid there will be very little difficulty, if any, experienced in 
opening up a safe road from Lagos through tbe Joruba country to 
Rabba, and establishing a regular postal communication ; Rabba 
being also on tbe regular caravan route. 
When our despatches shall bave been forwarded it is my intention 
to continue tbe ascent of tbe river to endeavour to ascertain tbe 
navigability of tbe rocky channel said to exist below Busa, during 
November to return to tbe confluence to meet tbe steamer then 
expected from England, by which I hope to receive some fresh 
chronometers and supplies of stationery, and then in December to 
return to Rabba for tbe purpose of making our journey to Sokoto, 
which is now impracticable from tbe state of tbe roads and weather, 
most of tbe low country being flooded, and severe tornadoes with 
thunder and tremendous falls of rain being almost of daily occur- 
rence : another reason which will oblige us to return is to obtain 
provisions. 
Our work hitherto may be summed up thus : — From the mouth of 
the Brass up to this spot a new and very accurate chart has been 
laid down, containing numerous corrections on those previously 
done, especially between the confluence and Rabba. The soundings 
taken have been very numerous, and we have examined many 
channels before untried, and our survey of any rocky passages has 
always been particularly careful. We have also ascertained the 
existence of six or seven tributary streams previously unknown, 
have ascended one of them, and hope to be able to examine others. 
Our health continues fair ; all, from frequent exposure, have had 
attacks of fever, but not of undue severity, and at this moment we 
are well. Of the ship’s company I cannot say so much, illness 
