Journal of an Expedition to Explore the Course and Termination of the Niger with a Narrative of a Voyage Down That River to Its Termination (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1854 edition. Excerpt: ...he should be enabled to forward us to Bonny without touching at the above place, and indeed without calling at any important town whatever during the journey. In a choice of evils, we pre ferred that which appeared to us the least, and therefore resolved to wait here a day or two longer. The only circumstance which is capable of reconciling us to our wretched abode is the-continued civility, generosity, and tenderness of the chief. The streets of Damuggoo are so muddy, owing to the nature of the soil, and to the rains which have recently fallen, that we Cannot step outside the door of our hut without exposing ourselves to the inconvenience of being covered with black, filthy mud, so that we are obliged to stay within from necessity. Our hut does not exceed six or seven feet in diame ter. and withal it is so very dark and dismal, that we can see neither to read nor write; added to which we are invaded, from the first peep of morn till the close of day, by a host of impudent fellows, who TOWN OF DAMUGGOO. 173 plant themselves round the doorway, and in the pa'ssage, like so many blocks of marble, and remain there in spite of us, to the utter exclusion of every particle of air. The chief, to whom we have made a grievous complaint, tells us seriously to " cut off their heads;" but really we do not relish the idea of human heads, all so black and ghastly, tumbling down at our feet, and so we resort to a milder punishment, but hitherto this has not been attended with any good effect. When evening conies, and the moon shines brilliantly above our heads, like all nature, we seek the comforts of repose; but who can sleep when legions of mosquitoes come singing in your face, to tease and worry you without mercy It is a fact, that the chief and his people...