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."