Volume 1

Narrative of an expedition into the interior of Africa, by the River Niger in the steam-vessels Quorra and Alburkah in 1832, 1833 and 1834 / by MacGregor Laird and R.A.K. Oldfield.

  • Laird, MacGregor, 1808-1861.
Date:
1837
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Narrative of an expedition into the interior of Africa, by the River Niger in the steam-vessels Quorra and Alburkah in 1832, 1833 and 1834 / by MacGregor Laird and R.A.K. Oldfield. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    times, but always dropped astern after looking earnestly at her ; and he finally departed, afraid to execute his orders. When he returned to his monarch, it is probable he gave some strange account of the white men and their vessel. We passed several palm-trees, and at 6 p. m. came to an anchor. The river to-day has gradually widened as we have proceeded. At 4 o’clock we again entered the main branch ; a circumstance which gave us no small satisfaction. All around us continued to wear a dismal and gloomy appearance. Since yesterday we had only had a glimpse of one small canoe. Our provisions had now failed, and we possessed neither rice, yams, nor plan- tains ; neither was there a prospect of any town from whence we might obtain a supply. We had passed some palm-trees, and had seen an immense number of alligators swimming round us in every direction, one of which followed the vessel a considerable distance. The river has taken an ample sweep to the southward. In the afternoon we observed smoke rising from a spot situated a small distance from the banks, which gave us hopes that the next day we should be