icing, they
started for their own country, which, by making long marches, they would
regain in a fortnight's time. Although it was not probable that they
would meet with any enemies, six trade muskets, with a supply of powder
and ball, were given to them, as, although they would not be able to
do much execution with these weapons, their possession would exercise a
powerful influence over any natives they might meet.

In crossing the country to the Niger the white men were the objects of
lively curiosity, and the exhibition of the magic lantern, the chemical
experiments, and conjuring tricks created an effect equal to that which
they had produced among the Fans. On reaching the Niger a canoe was
hired with a crew of rowers. In this all the cases, filled with the
objects they had collected, were placed, the whole being put in charge
of the Houssas, Moses and King John, who had been seized with a fit
of homesickness. These were to deliver the cases to the charge of an
English agent at Lagos or Bonny, to both of whom Mr. Goodenough wrote
requesting him to pay the sum agreed to the boatmen on the safe arrival
of the cases, and also to pay the Houssas, who preferred taking their
wages there, as it was not considered advisable to tempt the cupidity of
any of the native princes along the river. Should they be overhauled
the Houssas were told to open the cases and show that these contained
nothing but birds' skins and insects, which would be absolutely
valueless in the eyes of a native.

When the precious freight had fairly started, the party crossed the
Niger in a canoe, arrangements having already been made with the
potentate of a village on the opposite side for a fresh relay of
carriers, twenty men being now sufficient, owing to the gaps which had
been made in the provisions in the goods, by the payment of the carriers
and presents, and, in the cases, by the despatch of eight of the largest
of these to the coast. They had still, however, ample space for the
collections they might still make. The cases of goods and provisions
were utilized for this purpose as they were emptied.

For another two months they journeyed on, halting frequently and adding
continually to their stores. The country was fairly populated, and there
was no difficulty in buying plantains and fruit and in obtaining fresh
sets of carriers through the territories of each petty chief. They were
now approaching the Volta, when one day a native, covered with