against the shore to allow a boat to approach, and. I have known
people, after reaching the spot, obliged to turn back without
landing.
I went with a party by land, and through the bush, or forest,
which presented beautiful groups of picturesque trees, and convolvuli
hanging luxuriantly from one to another. We reached the
first creek, which is of considerable width, and separates Banjole
from the continent. A canoe went across to swim our horses, two
at a time, and was ferried by the discharged soldiers, who reside
in huts on the bank; we then proceeded ourselves,. and remounting
rode along a flat country to the second creek, where,
sheltering ourselves among the mangroves, we. waited for a canoe
which had been appointed to meet us. Mounting a huge
monkey-bread tree, we fired a gun two or three times, which
served the double purpose of frightening the crocodiles, and calling
the canoe. The. entrance to our hiding place ¿vas so deep and
narrow, that the grooms were obliged to swim and guide the
horses. Having all crossed in safety, we again started for
Bakkow, and arrived, after as many interruptions as eight miles
could well afford.
We remained at the above place one night, which allowed of a
visit to the town, consisting of miserable-looking huts, crowded
together, filled with smoke, and some not high enough for a
middle-sized person to stand upright in*. The granaries are
mingled «with the huts, and the doors fastened with a clumsy
wooden bolt, fig. 57, not deserving the name of a lock, and raised on
poles, to prevent the encroachments of ants, and other insects.
The hall of justice, or palaver house, is higher than the others,
with two arched entrances, but would not contain more than ten
people sitting close together: it is built of the red earth of the
•
‘See PL. 11, drawn from the Veranda of the Government-House.
jPZ.JC Z.