I have felt obliged often to be more personal than I could have desired, and to allude to disputes and to differences over which I would gladly have thrown a veil; but as these matters have lately been made the subject of judicial proceedings, I have mentioned them, partly in my own defence, partly to show why the success of the Expedition was not more complete than it was, and also that future exploring parties might be aware of and so avoid the various stumbling-blocks which so often tended to impede our progress. Two works have already appeared regarding our Voyage. One, proceeding from a most estimable individual, is in the form of a short journal, referring more especially to the prospects for missionary efforts, while the other seems rather to relate the private opinions and individual experiences of a member of the party, than to contain an account of the Expedition. It is hoped that the present one, which aims at being more detailed than its predecessors, will satisfy any anxiety which may be felt about the once dreaded "Niger," or concerning the rude natives around; and if it serves in any degree to excite a warmer feeling towards the ill-treated African, to claim a small degree of attention for rich but neglected regions, or to stimulate further enquiries and explorations, the writer will consider his labours not to have been altogether in vain. HASLAR HOSPITAL, 26th May, 1856. TABLE OF CONTENTS. THEORIES regarding the course of the Kwóra-African explorers- Departure from Plymouth-Bay of Biscay-Towing nets-Oceanic captures-Funchal — Quarantine-Santa Cruz-Torch Fishing- Peak of Teneriffe-North East Trades-Flying-fishes--Petrels- Cape de Verde-Gorée- Wolofs-Bathurst-Tornado-Sierra Leone -Inhabitants-The "Pleiad "-Monrovia-Southern Cross-Cape Coast Castle-A marriage-Mr. Beecroft's death-Akrá-Lagos- Leave Clarence-Nun Mouth-Sea on the bar-Repairs-Alburkah Islands Mangroves-Richard's Creek-Sunday Island-Orú Vil- Bullock Island-Ossamaré-Hippopotami-Onitsha and Asabá-Sand- bank-Ada-Mugú-Round huts-Iddá cliffs-A'boko's party-Iddá politics-Camp on English Island-Court of the Attá-Reception ceremonies-Visitors-Igára-Language-Edó-Ivory-Volcanic blocks-Bird-Rock-Okíri-Moonlight at Iróko-Mounts Franklin and Crozier-Igbégbe—A'ma A'boko-The Confluence-The "Dark Water"- Odokódo - Háusa - Binue - Adamawa - Model-farm- Sacrifice-Rock-Visit to Mount Páte -- Panorama-Trade- Des- patches-Baobabs-O'gbe's jug-White Ants' nests-Leave the Confluence-A'tipo-Purchase wood-A'ma-A'boko's messengers -Harriet Island-Lander's Seat-Mount Vidal-Oldfield Range -Yimahá-I'gbira-Pánda-Fulátas-Plague of Flies-Kénde- Sets of observations-Continuance of health-Dispute with a Croco- Early start-Off Erúko-Dágbo-Admiralty Archipelago-Dóma Hills-A'kpoko-Royal Interview-Sir John Richardson's Islands- Isabella Island-Troublesome Navigation-O'jogo-Two White Strangers?-Embassy to Keána-Wood-cutting-Mitshi-Rejected friendship Mr. May alarms the Court-Deputations - Dóma Cookery-New Lights-Fresh Plans-Wooden Leg-Dóma History -O'jogo Habits-Iron Money-Juvenile Game-False Gavial- Trade canoe sent to the Confluence-Dearth in the Sugar-Market— Rógan-Kóto-Clarendon Island-Mount Beecroft - Washington Island—Ellesmere Range -Mounts Latham and Christison-Mount Adams-Mount Trénabie-Mount Traill-Nú-Korórofa-Terror of the Natives-Martial Meeting-Alarm of Krúboys-Gándiko- Púlbe-Djúku-Zhibú - Grand Procession-Distinguished Recep- Mount Humboldt-Temporary Sails-Evening Meeting with Hippo- PAGE Zhirú—Rise of the River—Zoological Treasures-Sáraki 'n Háusa— Apology for Dúlti-"Ne plus ultra"-Anticipated Cannibalism-Djín again-Fluviatile bo-peep!-Bándawa-Magnificent Thunder-storm -Fortunate Position-Morning Exploit-Mount Eleanor—“Pleiad” again Missing-Farewell to Gúrowa-Take Stock-Regrets-Resume the Survey-Fan Palms-River still Rising-Devious Channels- Submerged Country-Genuine Exploring Trip-No Land in Sight -Dead Lioness-Signs of a Deluge-Amphibious Aborigines?— Regain the River-" Dere de Ship"-" Pleiad" hard and fast-Suc- cessful efforts-Báutshi Slaver-"Kantai "-Prices of Slaves and of Zhibú-King surly-The Monarch bearded in his Hall-Diplomacy— |