5.
"O loved of the lotus
Thy waters adorning,
Pour, Joliba! pour
Thy full streams to the morning?
The halcyon may fly
To thy wave as her pillow;
But wo to the white man
Who trusts to thy billow!
Alas! for the white man! o'er deserts a ranger,
No more shall we welcome the white-bosomed stranger!
6.
"He launched his light bark,
Our fond warnings despising,
And sailed to the land
Where the day-beams are rising.
His wife from her bower
May look forth in her sorrow,
But he shall ne'er come
To her hope of to-morrow!
Alas! for the white man! o'er deserts a ranger,
No more shall we welcome the white-bosomed stranger!"
CHAPTER XXX.
_Tuckey, Peddie, and Gray's Expeditions_.
The fatal termination of Park's second journey by no means damped the
ardent desire of acquiring fresh knowledge concerning the interior of
Africa. The question as to whether the Niger finally proved to be
identical with the Congo, was undetermined; and Government resolved to
organize a large expedition for the purpose of deciding it. To attain
this object, there were to be two parties sent out, one of which was to
descend the Niger, and the other to ascend the Congo or Zaire river; and
if the hypothesis proved to be true, it was expected that both would form
a junction at a certain point. The expedition excited much interest, and
from the scale on which it was planned, and the talents of the officers
engaged in it, seemed to have a fair promise of success.
Captain Tuckey, an experienced officer, was to command the Congo
expedition; his party consisted of fifty seamen, marines, and mechanics,
with several individuals skilled in the various branches of natural
history. They sailed from Deptford in the middle of February 1816, and
arrived at Malemba about the end of June. The mafouk, or king's chief
minister of the place, gave them at first a cordial reception, but soon
showed hostility, when he learnt that they had no intention of purchasing
slaves. Soon after, they entered the Congo, which much disappointed their
expectations, on account of the shallowness of its channel. The river,
however, was then at a low ebb; its banks were marshy, and its waters
moved slowly and silently between forests of mangrove trees. The air was
filled with the discordant croak of innumerable parrots, diversified
somewhat by the notes of a few singing birds. As they proceeded, the
river, instead of diminishing, seemed to increase in volume. At Embomma,
much interest was excited among the natives, by the discovery that their
cook's mate was the son of a native prince. His arrival was the signal
for general rejoicing, and the enraptured father hastened to welcome his
heir. During the night the village resounded with music and songs. "Next
day the ci-devant cook appeared in all the pomp of African royalty, with
a tarnished silk embroidered coat, a black glazed hat with an enormous
feather, and a silk sash; he was carried in a hammock by two slaves, with
an umbrella over his head."
On the 27th July, Captain Tuckey was introduced to the Chenoo or
sovereign, who sat in full divan, with his councillors around him,
beneath a spreading tree, from the branches of which were suspended two
of his enemies' skulls. He was dressed in a most gaudy fashion. He could
not be made to comprehend the objects of the expedition, and for two
hours reiterated the two questions, - "Are you come to trade?" and "Are
you come to make war?" After he had exacted a promise that they would not
interfere with the slave-trade, a keg of rum was emptied with great
satisfaction by the monarch and his attendants.
On either bank of the river were ridges of rocky hills, which rapidly
became more and more contracted; at length they came to a cataract, where
its channel was almost entirely blocked up by the fall of huge fragments
of granite. The boats could go no farther, nor could they be carried over
the hills and deep ravines. The party were compelled to proceed by land,
and without a guide. They had frequently to sleep in the open air, the
evil effect of which soon became apparent in the sickness of the party.
At length, just when their progress became easier, on account of the
country being much more level, their health was so much injured, that
several of the principal members of the expedition were compelled to
return to the ship. Captain Tuckey, who had suffered much from fever,
felt a like necessity. At this crisis the baggage canoe sunk with the
greater part of their utensils on board; the natives continually annoyed
them, and seized every opportunity of plundering. They had great
difficulty in returning to the shore. Most of the naturalists died of
fever; and Captain Tuckey was cut off after reaching the coast.
The Niger expedition, consisting of 100 men, and 200 animals, was
commanded by Major Peddie. They sailed from the Senegal, and landed at
Kacundy. Major Peddie died before they set out, and the command devolved
on Captain Campbell. Before they had proceeded 150 miles from Kacundy,
the chief of the Foulahs obstructed their progress much, under pretence
of a war. A long time was lost in fruitless negociations; during which,
most of the beasts of burden died. They were compelled to return; and
Captain Campbell soon after died from vexation and disappointment.
In 1818, Captain Gray attempted to proceed by Park's route along the
Gambia; but being detained by the chief of Bondou, came back as soon as
he was released.
Undismayed by these repeated failures, the British Government still
endeavoured to promote the cause of African discovery. The Bashaw of
Tripoli, who had great influence with the inhabitants of Bornou, and the
other great African states, seemed favourable to the object, and promised
his protection.
