The Town Is Built In The Form Of A Crescent, And Is Surrounded
By A Ditch, And A Wall About Twelve Feet High.
A considerable space
intervenes between the houses and the walls.
The streets are narrow and
dirty, with the exception of one a mile in length, and about two hundred
feet wide; where the market is held every Friday. "The houses are all
circular with conical huts built of clay, with the exception of the chief
Mallam's, which has a gable end to it. The verandahs in the front give
them a cool and pleasant appearance." The king's residence would appear
to be the citadel, as it is surrounded by a wall pierced with many
loopholes. Mr. Laird estimates the population at 15,000, who are chiefly
employed in extensive dye-works, and in the manufacture of iron and
copper utensils.
Soon after this, Mr. Laird having resolved to abandon the expedition,
returned to Fernando Po in the Quorra. Dr. Briggs, the medical officer
attached to the expedition, had died in February; and only three or four
of the original crew of the vessel survived.
We shall now follow Mr. Oldfield's narrative. As Mr. Laird was on his
return to Fernando Po, he passed the Alburkah, with Messrs. Lander and
Oldfield on board, on their way to Boussa. They entered the Tshadda on
the 2d August, and sailed 104 miles up the stream, till the want of
provisions compelled them to return to the Niger. They remained for some
time at Kacunda, Egga, and Rabba, but their efforts to open a trade with
the natives were by no means successful. At Rabba, they were compelled to
return, in consequence of the steamer's engine having sustained some
damage. They returned to the sea-coast, but had scarcely arrived when
Lander departed to Cape Coast Castle to procure a supply of cowries. Mr.
Oldfield proceeded with the Alburkah to meet him. The voyage was slow,
for the machinery had got out of order; great mortality prevailed on
board the vessel; the Kroometi began to disobey orders; and there were
rumours abroad, that the natives, knowing their weakness and diminished
numbers, intended to attack and plunder the vessel. On the 28th of March,
Mr. Oldfield received a letter from Richard Lander, which stated that his
boat had been attacked, three of the crew killed, and himself wounded;
that the other three men who were with him had been seriously hurt; that
they had been plundered of every thing, and had with difficulty escaped.
This fatal accident happened when he was opposite to the towns called
Hyamma and Ikibree. The natives tempted by the value of the goods which
be carried with him in several canoes, opened a fire of musketry upon
him. Lander and his men defended themselves as long as they could, but
they were at length compelled to flee. Their pursuers continued to fire;
and as Lander stooped to take up some ammunition, he received a musket
shot, and the ball lodged in the upper part of his thigh.
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