94 
REPORTS FROM THE NIGER EXPEDITION. [Jan. 11, 1858. 
sion, lias returned to tlie United States, and published a work con- 
taining a much more detailed account of this place, and the country 
between it and Abbeokuta, than my hasty journey could possibly 
afford me the opportunity of doing. On the following day a 
message reached me from the king that a horse would be ready for 
me ; but on subsequently visiting him to bid him “ good bye,” I 
learnt that a horse could not be provided, but that I should have 
some men to carry me in a hammock. 
It affords me great pleasure to mention the kind assistance I 
experienced at the hands of the Eev. Mr. Clarke, who, in addition 
to his hospitality to myself, furnished me with a supply of stores, of 
which Dr. Baikie and party stood in great need, and which I for- 
warded to them. 
It was noon of the 12th when I left the south gate of Ogbomosho, 
accompanied by carriers, messengers, and suite, and arrived at 
3 p.m. at a halting-place, where our party wished to stop for the 
night, as the next could not be reached before dark. I was by this 
time growing alarmed at the prospect of missing the mail steamer 
due at Lagos on the 20th, and would not hear of this delay. I 
then moved the party on, much against their will, accomplished a 
good deal of our journey in the cooler part of the day, and halted at 
dark in the bush for the night. On the morning of the 13th we 
started again at 5*30, and at 7 crossed the “ Obba ” river, which 
was then fordable ; and after a toilsome journey, sometimes walking 
and sometimes being carried, arrived at the north gate of “ Awyaw ” 
at noon. 
“ Awyaw ” (Aggo Oja), the capital of Yoruba, ranks, however, 
in point of size only in the second class, with Ogbomosho and Ijaye, 
&c., and is the least interesting town I passed through. Perceiving 
that the interval between this and the 20th would not admit of such 
delays as I had been subjected to, I determined, if necessary, to 
decline the aid and cognizance of chiefs from this point. I speedily 
had an interview with the chief, who, it appears, is privileged to 
receive white men, and made the usual explanations to him, coupled, 
however, with an intimation that, although I much desired such 
assistance as I had received at other towns, I could not possibly 
prolong my stay beyond next day morning. This chief was very 
civil to me, and my story, &c., was duly carried to the king, who 
sent to tell me that he had looked for a horse for me, but had failed 
to find one, and that he could not procure men to carry me. There 
are no resident European missionaries at “Awyaw,” but a native 
convert is usefully engaged there on behalf of the Church Missionary 
Society. 
At 9 a.m. on the 14th instant, having taken leave of the chief to 
