EXPEDITION UP THE NIGER,

UNDER CAPTAIN W. D. TROTTER, 1841.

OBJECTS OF THE EXPEDITION.

The civilized nations of the world have from the earliest ages possessed but a very imperfect knowledge of the interior of Africa. Numerous attempts have been made to penetrate into the mysteries of that unknown region, but they have, one after the other, failed, either from the treachery of the natives, or the still more deadly effects of the climate. The discovery of the Niger by Mungo Park, in 1796, opened a new track to adventurers, which many were not slow in following. The most enterprising of these were the brothers Lander, who, reaching the banks of the great river at Bussah, a town upwards of 600 miles from the mouth, descended the stream in a frail canoe to the ocean. In consequence of the reports of the quantity of ivory they had seen, an expedition was fitted out in Liverpool, under Mr. Laird, now well known as an enterprising explorer, for the purpose of commencing a trade in it. Lieut. W. Allen was directed by the Admiralty to accompany this expedition for the purpose of surveying the river. As a mercantile speculation, the expedition was a failure, as a very little ivory was found; but much information was obtained, which afterwards proved useful. But a still nobler object than the extension of commerce animated the originators of the expedition, an account of which we are about to narrate. This was the suppression of the slave trade. In spite of all England had done, the unremitting efforts of her Government, the treasure she had expended, and the lives of her gallant seamen which had been sacrificed, that nefarious traffic still flourished. Among the warmest advocates of the rights of the Africans was Sir Fowell Buxton, by whose means chiefly a society was formed, of which His Royal Highness Prince Albert was president, entitled "A Society for the Extinction of the Slave Trade, and for the Civilization of Africa." The means for effecting this object, proposed by Sir F. Buxton, was the employment of her own resources, by impeding the slave trade, establishing legitimate commerce, promoting and teaching agriculture, and imparting religious and moral instruction. To carry them into execution, the Society induced the Government to send out three steamers, with directions to establish trading posts and agricultural stations at convenient spots on the banks of the Niger. The three vessels 'Albert,' 'Wilberforce,' and 'Soudan,' were built for the express purpose by Mr. Laird, of Liverpool. The two first were 139 feet 4 inches in length on deck; 27 feet breadth of beam; 11 feet depth of hold; 6 feet draught of water, fully laden; and 457 tons measurement. The 'Soudan' drew only 4 feet 6 inches; was in tonnage, 249; in length, 113 feet 4 inches; breadth of beam, 22 feet; and depth of hold, 8 feet 8 inches. They were fitted with ventilating machines, and every improvement which science has contributed was employed in their structure and fitting up. The command was given to Captain Henry Dundas Trotter, R.N., and he had under him Commanders William Allen and Bird Allen. These three officers, to whom was added Mr. William Cook, well known for his humane exertions in saving the lives of the crew and passengers of the 'Kent' East Indiaman, burnt at sea, were appointed by the Queen to act as her Commissioners, to for, treaties with the native chiefs for the suppression of the internal slave trade, and for the establishment of lawful commerce. Every means that science could devise was employed for the preservation of the health of the crews. The two larger vessels were armed with one long brass twelve-pounder, two brass twelve-pounder howitzers, and four brass one-pounder swivels, besides musketoons and small arms. The 'Soudan' had one howitzer and two swivels of similar calibre. They had lofty masts, and were square-rigged forward and schooner aft; but though excellent sea-boats from being flat-bottomed, when hauled on a wind they made much leeway.

The following is a list of the officers employed in the expedition:—

H.M. steam-vessel 'Albert'—H. D. Trotter, captain; E. G. Fishbourne, lieutenant; *D. H. Stenhouse, lieutenant and assistant-surveyor; *G. B. Harvey, master; Theodore Muller, chaplain; J. O. M'William, M.D., surgeon; *James Woodhouse, assistant-surgeon; F. D. Nightengale, assistant-surgeon (in 'Amelia'); William Bowden, purser; *William C. Willie, mate; James H. Fairholme, mate (served in 'Amelia'); E. T. Saunders, second-master; W. E. Bush, clerk; *W. H. Willmett, clerk; Richard Mouat, assistant-clerk; William Merriman, gunner; John Langley, engineer 1st class; *Albion Lodge, ditto, 2nd class; James Brown, ditto, ditto; William Stanger, M.D.; with a crew of 25 white men, 13 coloured, 8 marines, and 4 sappers and miners.

H.M. steam-vessel 'Wilberforce'—William Allen, commander; James N. Strange, lieutenant; Henry C. Harston, lieutenant (served in 'Amelia'); William Forster, master; Morris Pritchett, M.D., surgeon; J. E. H. Thomson, assistant-surgeon; John Stirling, assistant-surgeon; *Cyrus Wakeham, purser; Henry C. Toby, mate; W. H. T. Green, second-master and assistant-surveyor; *J. H E. Webb, clerk; William Johnston, engineer 1st class; Joseph Graystock, ditto 2nd class; George Garritte, ditto 3rd class. Civilians:—William Cook, commissioner; J. E. Terry, chief clerk to commissioner; William Simpson, clerk to ditto; Rev. J. E. Schon, missionary; *Dr. E. B. Vogel, botanist; C. G. Rocher, miner and geologist; Lewis Frazer, naturalist; Alfred Carr, superintendent of model farm; John Ansell, collector of plants; crew of 23 white men, 7 coloured, 9 marines, and 4 sappers and miners.

H.M. steam-vessel 'Soudan'—*Bird Allen, commander; William Ellis, lieutenant; John Belam, master; *W. B. Marshall, surgeon; *H. C. Collman, assistant-surgeon; W. H. Webb, mate; F. W. Sidney, mate; *Nicholas Waters, clerk; *William Kingdon, assistant-clerk and schoolmaster; G. V. Gustaffson, engineer 1st class; William Johnson, ditto 2nd class; crew of 15 white men, 4 coloured, and 4 marines.

Of the crews 27 died from the river fever, and of the remainder of the white men the greater number caught it, though the coloured men all escaped.

COMMENCEMENT OF THE VOYAGE.

On the 12th of May, 1841, the three vessels left Plymouth; the line-of-battle-ships anchored in the Sound, manning their rigging and cheering them as they passed by. After touching at Madeira, St. Vincent, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, and other places on the coast, they reached Cape Coast Castle on the 24th of July. At Sierra Leone, a schooner, a condemned slaver, was purchased; she was called the 'Amelia,' and the command of her was given to Mr. Harston. Here also a hundred negroes, chiefly Krumen, were taken on board to assist in working the vessels and save the white men from exposure to the sun and heavy rains. Their head-man was named "Jack Andrews," and he had under him "Jack Fryingpan," "King George," "Jack Sprat," "Prince Albert," "Bottle of Beer," and "Tom Tea-kettle," with a number of other similar cognomens. Already fever had broken out, and two had died from its effects.

The 'Wilberforce' had a narrow escape in running between Cape Palmas and Cape Three Points. Being short of wood, she was standing on under canvass, with a very light air, during a dark night, when it was discovered that a strong current was setting her on shore. In the centre of the bay there is a twisting channel, of vast depth, called the "Bottomless Pit." In the early and middle part of the night no bottom was found by the lead. This must have been when they were crossing the pit. At 3 A.M. fortunately they struck soundings in 37 fathom. At 4.40 it decreased to 18 fathom, and five minutes afterwards to 10 fathom, when they anchored, and as they did so the roar of the breakers gave them fearful warning of their proximity to the coast. The land being here very low and covered with underwood, and the sand of the beach being of a light colour, it would not have been seen had not the decrease of the soundings caused them to look out for it. At daylight they found themselves close to breakers, about half a mile from the shore, with a very heavy surf all along the beach. Having got up the steam, they made a good offing, and passed Cape Three Points, when they arrived off a place called Bobsum Accra. Here a heavy surf gave little prospect of their being able to procure wood. A boat was, however, sent to try to communicate with the natives; and Mr. Toby, mate, volunteered for the service, which was one of considerable danger. He succeeded in landing; but in attempting to come off again, the boat was swamped and upset, and all hands were thrown by the surf on the beach. Happily the natives were of a friendly tribe, and rendered them every assistance. Had a similar event occurred off the Bottomless Pit, where the natives are hostile, they would have probably been put to death.

At Cape Coast Castle the Governor, Mr. M'Lean, afforded the expedition every assistance. Here Mr. Marshall, surgeon, and Mr. Webb, mate of the 'Soudan,' volunteered to proceed overland to the confluence of the Niger and Chadda; but as their services in their ships could not be spared, their gallant offer was not accepted.

Proceeding to Accra, they left it on the 4th of August to their rendezvous off the mouth of the Niger; and, on their passage there, encountered some heavy weather. On Friday, the 13th of August, the 'Albert' and 'Soudan,' having completed their preparations, weighed at daylight, and, under the pilotage of Lieut. Levinge, commanding H.M.S. 'Buzzard,' one of the squadron on the coast, he having previously examined it, steamed over the bar in safety, though a considerable surf was running. The 'Wilberforce,' having more goods and furniture to take for the model farm, was not ready till the 15th.

SHIPS ENTER THE NIGER.

The moment that the ships entered was one of deep and breathless expectation, both on account of the difficulty of the passage, but more especially as it was the first step on that path so full of novelty and interest, yet, as all knew, so fraught with danger; but their zeal made them, overlook the peril, and three hearty cheers announced the safe accomplishment of the exploit. The next day another death, that of Bach, the instrument-maker, occurred from fever. Having accompanied the expedition up some way, Lieut. Levinge, commanding H.M.S. 'Buzzard,' took his departure, bearing letters from many, alas! the last their friends at home were destined to receive from them. Difficulties of various sorts beset the explorers on their passage up the river, though the natives generally showed a friendly disposition. Besides the enervating and deadly effects of the climate, the vessels frequently took the ground, and much labour was required to get them off. They had a strong current to contend with; and they also suffered from a new species of pest in the shape of snakes, many of them venomous, which climbed on board and stowed themselves away in all corners. Crocodiles also were seen in numbers floating down the river. On the 2nd of September they reached the city of Iddah, governed by a powerful chief, with the title of Attah, with whom a treaty was formed for the suppression of the slave-trade and of human sacrifices, and from whom also a tract of country was purchased for the establishment of a model-farm. About the 12th of September the stores, &c., for the model-farm were landed. In disembarking some heavy ironwork, the paddle-box boat of the 'Wilberforce' got adrift, and, owing to the strength of the current, filled and sunk in a deep part of the river, whence she could not be recovered. This was a very severe loss.

We now come to the most melancholy part of our story. Dr. Thomson thus writes on the 17th September:—"For the last three days the fever had been progressing rapidly in all the vessels, and in the little 'Soudan' only six persons were able to move about, and these showed evident proofs by depression of spirits and lassitude—that the dreadful climate was too surely doing its work. Lieut. Ellis, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Waters, and several of her crew, were still in a most dangerous state. On board the 'Albert,' Mr. Nightingale, the assistant surgeon, was at the point of death; and several in the 'Wilberforce' in almost as hopeless a state. The scenes at night were most agonizing. Nothing but muttering delirium, or suppressed groans were heard on every side on board the vessels, affording a sad contrast to the placid character of the river and its surrounding scenery. Nearly every person, even the unattacked, complained of the enervating feeling of the climate. One day Mr. Collman, the acting assistant-surgeon, was desired by Commander Bird Allen to go on board the 'Amelia' tender as medical officer. He burst into tears; and, on being asked the reason, he replied, it was from involuntary weakness, produced by the climate. It also appeared afterwards that he had, during a little repose snatched from his duties, been disheartened by a feverish dream of his home and family."

On the 18th of September the number of sick had increased to 60, and death had done fearful execution among them. Captain Trotter at first proposed sending the sick to enjoy the pure air at the summit of Mount Patteh; but ultimately decided on despatching them to the sea in the 'Soudan,' under command of Lieut. Fishbourne. A consultation of the Commissioners was held, at which Captain W. Allen and Mr. Cook earnestly recommended that the whole expedition should return to the sea on account of the malaria, which would assuredly ascend from the low grounds, as the falling waters, after the cessation of the rains, left them exposed to the heat of the sun. Captain Trotter and Commander Bird Allen, supported by the medical opinion of Dr. M'William, were of opinion that, by ascending higher up the river, a more healthy climate would be reached. They were also powerfully influenced by their earnest desire to carry out the object of the expedition; and undaunted by the dangers and difficulties before them, these brave men determined to proceed.

All the sick among the crews were informed that they might return to the sea in the 'Soudan,' but the greater number replied that they would stick to their ships to the last. The number of fever cases increasing on board the 'Wilberforce,' Commander William Allen, with a moral courage not inferior to that of his brother officers, from his former experience of the river, urged Captain Trotter to allow him also to carry his ship back to the sea. This request could not be refused, and accordingly, on the 20th, the two vessels separated, the 'Albert' to proceed up the river, and the 'Wilberforce, with nearly all sick on board, to return to the coast. Of all the officers who left England in the gun-room of the 'Albert,' but two only, Drs. M'William and Stanger remained, while the numbers of her crew also were sadly diminished; still, with unflinching courage, they continued their progress. In a very few days Commander Bird Allen and Lieut. Stenhouse were taken ill, and one of the engineers and a seaman were placed on the sick-list; to them were added shortly Mr. Fairholme and Mr. Webb, mates. On anchoring off Muye, which is in the territory of the Attah of Iddah, a canoe belonging to the chief came off with three slaves on board, a boy and two women. It was found that they had been purchased after the signature of the treaty. A trial being held, Captain Trotter instantly released them, and having clothed them properly, they were conveyed in safety to Fernando Po, where the lad was apprenticed to a carpenter, and the women placed under proper care, all showing the greatest gratitude for the treatment they had received.

On the 27th, John Fuge, an able seaman, died, and on the following day, soon after the ship anchored at Egga, the remaining engineer was taken ill, while several of the patients were in a very low condition.

A tornado came on, and was welcomed by all on board. George Syme, quarter-master, was added to the number of the dead in the evening. As the ship went on her course, her numbers slowly and hourly thinning, still her work of Christian love proceeded. At Egga the women unhesitatingly brought their children on board to be vaccinated. Today "James Macaulay, one of the Nufi interpreters engaged at Sierra Leone accidentally met with his sister in the streets of Egga. This man had been enslaved and sold 20 years before, when he was sent down to the coast. Her object in coming on board was to see if Captain Trotter could intercede with the Filatahs in her behalf, as they had lately carried off two of her children to Sokatu." Alas, that an undertaking which might have proved a blessing to thousands of the helpless sons of Africa should, by the inscrutable designs of Providence, have been denied success! All we can feel is, that He who rules all things has appointed some other means to accomplish it, which He will show us at the chosen season; or, rather let us believe, that it is a work by which he will try the sincerity of the Christian and philanthropist warrior. He shows us clearly the difficulties to be overcome, and says, "For my sake rise and conquer them."

EXPEDITION COMPELLED TO RETURN.

"On the 3rd of October," writes the undaunted Dr. M'William, "our hopes of penetrating further into the interior received a finishing blow. Our arduous, enterprising, and kind chief, who was complaining yesterday, has now unmistakable symptoms of fever. Commander Bird Allen lies in a very critical state, and upwards of 20 others of our companions are completely prostrated; in short, of the whites at all fit for duty there remain only one seaman, the serjeant, and one private of marines; John Huxley, sick attendant; John Duncan, master-at-arms; Mr. Willie, mate; Dr. Stanger, and myself. Mr. Willie, I fear, is not altogether well. How unfortunate is this! To be arrested, as it were, at the very threshold of this fine country, where the mountain ranges—tabular, rounded, and of all forms—seen afar, rising majestically on the clear horizon, invite us with all the interest and attraction that belong to unknown regions.

"Those only who were with Captain Trotter from first to last in the expedition, and had an opportunity of observing with what unceasing zeal, what untiring energy, he devoted himself to its grand objects, can form an idea of the painful sacrifice stern necessity compelled him to make when he issued the order to turn the vessel's head downwards, and relinquished designs which his benevolent mind had so long and so ardently cherished."

On the 5th communications were opened with the King of Buddah, to interest him in stopping the slave-trade. On the 6th Mr. Willie was too ill to take any charge on deck, so Dr. Stanger undertook to work the engines, with some assistance from Mr. Brown, the only engineer able to move; while Dr. M'William attended to the navigation of the ship, in addition to his duties with the sick. Captain B. Allen and Lieut. Stenhouse were both dangerously ill. Several times the vessel touched the ground, but got off without injury. Our narrative is melancholy, but it is instructive. It affords a fine example of the undaunted and persevering spirit which animates the bosoms of both officers and seamen in the navy.

On the 8th of October Dr. M'William writes, "Last night, about twelve o'clock, while snatching a few minutes' sleep on one of the gun-room lockers, I was awoke by a splash in the water, followed by a loud scream. Hushing on deck, I found, to my horror, that Mr. Wilmett, one of the sick officers, who had been delirious for some days, had contrived, notwithstanding that he was watched by two black men, to push back the slide of his cabin-window and to jump overboard. While the boat was being lowered, William Guy, a Gambia man, and Tom Osmond, a Kruman, leaped into the river and swam after him. Every one who could manage to crawl was instantly on deck. It was pitch-dark, and the cries of the poor fellow becoming more and more feeble as he was being carried rapidly down the river by the force of the current, broke dismally the dead silence of the night, and filled us all with the most fearful anticipations as to his fate. No one moved or spoke; the attention of everyone was kept painfully on the rack as the hollow sound of the oars in the rullocks, gradually becoming more distinct, denoted that the boat was returning. At length, after being kept in a state of torturing anxiety for 20 minutes, we again began to breathe freely when she came alongside with our shipmate, whom we had all but given up for lost. The Africans, guided by Willmett's cries, had followed him close, but did not come up with him until they were a mile below the ship. They contrived to hold him on until the boat dropped down and picked them up." We are glad to say, that the two brave Africans received the diploma and honorary silver medallion from the Royal Humane Society of London.

The following day another sufferer from fever, Mr. Lodge, the second engineer, in a fit of delirium, unfortunately succeeded in evading the observation of the sick attendants and the officers near him, and, jumping overboard, was drowned. In this manner, day after day, the numbers of the hapless crew continuing to thin, the vessel descended the stream under the anxious guidance of the two medical officers. On reaching the model-farm, all the Europeans were found suffering from sickness on board the 'Amelia,' and even Mr. Carr was ill on shore. Captain Trotter, therefore, took all the whites on board the 'Albert,' leaving the 'Amelia' and the farm in charge of some intelligent negroes. On sailed the death ship! How she was found we shall have to recount.

We left the 'Wilberforce' on the 21st September, about to part company from the 'Albert,' and to follow the plague-stricken 'Soudan' down the river. Captain William Allen being very unwell, Lieut. Strange took charge of the navigation of the 'Wilberforce,' which he conducted with great skill, and the vessel rapidly descended the river. Among other difficulties the Krumen had to contend with was, obtaining wood sufficiently dry to burn in the stoves, and sometimes it was so green that it would hardly get up the steam.

How different were the feelings of the crew on their return through the narrow and winding reaches to those they experienced on their way up. Then the elasticity of health and hope gave to the scenery a colouring of exceeding loveliness. The very silence and solitude had a soothing influence, which invited to meditation and pleasing anticipations for the future. Now it was the stillness of death, broken only by the strokes and echoes of the paddle-wheels, and the melancholy song of the leadsmen, which seemed the knell and dirge of their dying comrades. The palm-trees, before so graceful in their drooping leaves, were now gigantic hearse-like plumes.

At length, on the 25th, they anchored just inside Cape Nun, where they might enjoy the advantage of the sea-breeze; but on the following day, Sunday, poor Mr. Cyrus Wakeham breathed his last, and of the whole ship's company fourteen only were able to attend divine service, performed in the captain's cabin.

On the 30th, on their way to Fernando Po, Mr. Green, the second master, and a stoker, were taken ill, and they had now only one officer, Lieut. Strange, and one engineer, doing duty. The little 'Soudan' was there found in even a worse condition. It had been Captain Trotter's desire, that as soon as she had landed the sick on board, she should return to his assistance. On leaving the confluence on the 19th September, she had on board sixteen cases of fever from the 'Albert,' and six from the 'Wilberforce,' making with her own crew on the lists upwards of forty cases. Lieut. Fishbourne had charge of her, and Assistant-Surgeon Stirling was sent on board to assist Mr. Thomson. At this time nearly all the white men, and even some of the coloured West Indians, were laid down with fever, leaving only Mr. Sidney and four men able to do duty. Of this number fortunately two were stokers, and had some little knowledge of the management of the engines. Every place on deck and below was crowded with sick, either worn out and exhausted by the continuance of fever, or in the more active and excited stages.

In the commander's cabin were two officers, Lieut. Ellis and Mr. Marshall; in the gun-room, Lieut. Harston and Mr. Waters, clerk in charge; forward were two engineers in their cabins, and Mr. Belam, master, in the small midshipmen's berth; while the foremost compartment and decks were hung over with the cots and hammocks of the sufferers the latter under proper awnings, but so thickly stowed, that when administering remedies and food, it was necessary to pass or step from one over the other. On the 20th, the only remaining executive officer, Mr. Sidney, a quarter-master, and a marine, were added to the sick-list, so that all the duty of the ship fell on Lieut. Fishbourne. On the 21st Mr. Marshall, the acting surgeon, died, and Mr. Waters and Lewis Wolfe soon after followed him. Lieut. Strange was now put in command of the 'Soudan,' with orders to get her ready for sea as soon as possible, in order to proceed to the assistance of Captain Trotter. Fortunately a small merchant steamer, the 'Ethiope,' commanded by Mr. Beecroft, an old veteran of the coast, came in, and was engaged to proceed in search of the 'Albert.' On the 9th of October, the 'Wilberforce' put to sea, bound for Ascension, more like a wreck than a ship-of-war, with her coals yet not stowed away below. Her only officer was Commander W. Allen, and an engineer lent from the 'Pluto,' assisted by one of the remaining stokers, who was fortunately able to work the engine; and there were only two seamen, and a very few marines or idlers, able to do duty. The 'Pluto,' however, kept them company. Death had not yet deserted them, and Serjeant Cuthberton, of the Marines, expired on the 12th. At the island of Annobone they spent a week, and most of the crew recovered sufficiently to do duty. Lieut. Fishbourne and Mr. Bowden were now sent back in the 'Pluto' to rejoin the 'Albert,' as, should they succeed in falling in with her, Captain Trotter would find their services of use.

The 'Soudan' meantime, under command of Lieut. Strange, sailed on the 9th for the river Nun. Having but one person on board who understood the engine—a stoker from the 'Pluto'—and his knowledge being superficial, the machinery often came to a sudden stand-still, and against a head-sea and wind the vessel made but slow progress.

On the 13th there was a long delay on account of some derangement of the engine; however, after the loss of some hours, it was put in order, and on the morning of the 16th the 'Soudan was just going over the bar into the Nun, when the 'Ethiope' and 'Albert' were perceived coming out. It was a lovely morning, and the scenery about the river looked very beautiful, affording a sad contrast to the dingy and deserted look of the 'Albert,'

Many were, of course, the painful surmises as to the fate of those on board. On approaching, however, the melancholy truth was soon told. The fever had been doing its direst work; several were dead, many dying, and of all the officers, but two, Drs. M'William and Stanger, were able to move about. The former presented himself, and waved his hand; and one emaciated figure was seen to be raised up for a second. This was Captain Trotter, who, in his anxiety to look at the 'Soudan' again, had been lifted out of his cot. Little more than two months had elapsed since the 'Albert' entered that river with an enterprising crew, full of life and buoyant with bright hopes of accomplishing the objects in which all had so ardently engaged, and now, alas! how changed those brave and gallant spirits!—many in their graves, others dying, and all suffering from disease! If any of the few who afterwards called in question the enduring courage of those employed in the expedition had been there, such a picture might have repressed their unfeeling expressions.

Those two brave medical officers, Drs. M'William and Stanger, were almost worn out when the 'Albert' was met with by Captain Beecroft, to whose prompt and noble conduct their preservation was, under Providence, owing. The 'Albert' reached Clarence Cove, Fernando Po, in safety; but, alas! here several more of her officers died. The first was Mr. Willie, mate. The fever had seized him when all the other executive officers were sick; and feeling how much depended on his exertions, he continued at his duty in spite of the remonstrances of his medical friends, and it was only when strength and reason forsook him that he yielded. On the 25th, to the deep regret of all, died the brave and persevering Commander Bird Allen; and on the 28th Lieut. David Hope Stenhouse breathed his last. Many other brave men followed them to their graves.

Captain Trotter continued much debilitated, while anxiety for all the past distressing events preyed on his mind. Yet he never lost sight of those intrusted to his care: his own sufferings seemed to be altogether forgotten in his anxiety for the welfare of the expedition, and in the hope of yet being able to carry out the great design of its originators. The medical officers, however, were of opinion that on his return to England depended the preservation of his life. Accordingly, on the 22nd he embarked in the 'Warree' schooner, to the great regret of all he left behind.

SECOND ATTEMPT TO ASCEND THE NIGER.

Information having been received by Commander William Allen, now the senior officer of the expedition, that Mr. Carr had been murdered by the natives on ascending the river, and that the people at the model-farm were in danger of an attack, he resolved to proceed at once to the Nun.

Several officers on board the 'Wilberforce' volunteered to renew their services up the river, and thus again to undergo all the dangers they had lately escaped. Accordingly Lieut. Ellis was appointed to command the 'Soudan,' and under him were Lieut. Webb, Messrs. Sidney and Fairholme, mates, and J. B. H. Thomson, surgeon. She had been left at Fernando Po, where, after much labour, she was got ready for sea. Just, however, as the expedition was about to sail, H.M. steamer 'Driver' arrived on her way to China; and though she brought no despatches to guide Captain Allen, a newspaper she had on board contained a speech of Lord Stanley's, in which he remarked that it was not the intention of Her Majesty's Government to renew the exploration of the river on account of the risk to the white men. Captain Allen, therefore, determined to await instructions from England before he commenced the ascent of the river. Meantime the 'Wilberforce' and 'Soudan' were employed in surveying the coast, in visiting places for the purpose of inducing the chiefs to suppress the slave-trade, in endeavouring to win their affections, and in encouraging commerce. All Captain Allen's plans were formed, and his officers and crews had resolved cheerfully to undergo the terrific dangers they had before escaped in the execution of their duty, when, on the 24th June, H.M. steamer 'Kite,' Lieut. Gooch, arrived with despatches, stopping all further proceedings. Captain Allen was, however, directed to send one of the steamers, with a black crew, and only the number of white officers absolutely necessary to navigate her, to bring away the people and property from the model-farm. For this service the following officers at once bravely volunteered:—Lieut. W. H. Webb; Mr. J. H. E. Webb, clerk, Mr. Hensman, acting assistant-surgeon; Mr. J. Waddington. boatswain; Mr. Henry Davey, carpenter; Messrs. W. Johnston, Cross, and H. Collins, engineers. Mr. Webb selected 40 of the best Krumen to follow him, and among them was Captain Allen's faithful Jack Smoke.

On Sunday, the 26th, the captain performed divine service for his crew, and his officers dined with him afterwards; and on the 2nd July, having embarked in the 'Kite,' he saw the 'Wilberforce' over the bar, when she was lost to sight in a storm of rain. The remaining officers and crews who had composed the expedition then sailed in the 'Kite' for England.

Arrangements were made that a ship-of-war should be off the Nun, to afford any assistance to the 'Wilberforce' which she might require. The difficulties of the navigation were considerable, and as the 'Wilberforce' ascended the river she grounded several times, and was not got off without much labour. The most serious accident happened on the 12th of July, when she struck on a reef, which penetrated into the boatswain's storeroom. It was found necessary to send for the 'Amelia,' which had been left at the model farm, that some of the stores might be removed to her. After several days' labour, the damage was repaired, and she proceeded towards the confluence. Sickness, however, now began to show itself, Mr. Davey, carpenter, and Mr. Johnstone, chief-engineer, were first attacked, and Mr. Cameron, the second-engineer, was next taken ill, so that Mr. Collins, at last, alone remained to work the engines.

On reaching the model-farm, Lieut. Webb found that about twenty acres had been got into cultivation, and twelve mud huts and part of the model-farm-house had been erected. The settlers had, however, behaved far from well.

Mr. Hensman, acting assistant-surgeon, offered to remain six months to govern the settlement; but, Lieut. Webb, feeling that little permanent advantage would be derived from continuing the model-farm for so short a time longer, resolved to remove the people and their property, and to abandon it. This was accordingly done. On the way down, an attempt was made by a black chief, King Obi, to entrap Lieut. Webb, while visiting the shore. This was providentially frustrated by his courage and presence of mind. Some blacks had come on board, to lull suspicion, at the time, and these being captured, from their confessions there remained little doubt that Mr. Carr had been murdered on his way up, for the sake of the clothes and other property he had with him. On the 17th May, the 'Wilberforce' happily crossed the bar of the Nun, and proceeded to Fernando Po. All the whites were suffering from fever, and two fell victims to it—Mr. J. H. Webb, clerk in charge, a most enterprising young officer, and Mr. Waddington, boatswain, a noble specimen of a British seaman—active, daring, and good-natured. The 'Wilberforce,' in consequence of the injuries she had received, proceeded at once to England, and arrived at Plymouth, 17th November, 1842.

The conduct of Lieut. Webb, whose proceedings had been marked with so much energy, courage, and zeal, was approved of both by the Admiralty and the Foreign Office, and will probably not be overlooked in future service.

Thus terminated an expedition, which, had not the most deadly of climates opposed itself to it, must, from the determination and the zeal of all concerned, have been fully successful.