Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-07-20
ALEXANDRIA GAZE TT +
A NIGHT ON THE NIGER.

of the Niger, bp John & Richard Lander Inc
work. although not remarkable for the beauty Of
lis STYLE, is deeply interesting, as well from the
solution it affords to a geographical problem oil
much importance, as from the many graphic
sketches of scenery and adventure, interpreted
,brouohout its pages. The New York American
An excellent critic-speaks in most favoura-
bic strain of the production. The following pas
SAGE, describing the terrors Of night on the Nj
Ger, NAV be quoted as fair specimen of the
manner and matter Of the volumes:-
The day had been excessively warm and the
| -nn set ia beauty and grandeur, shooting forth
,,s tinged with the most radient haes, which
sItepde,l to the zenith. Nevertheless the ap-
pe,rance Of the armament, all glorious as it was,
bptokened coming storm, the wind whlStled
wildly through the tall rushes, and darkness soon
covered the earth like veil. This rendered US
more anxious than ever to land somewhere, we
cared not where. aud to endeavour to procure
shelter for the night, if not in village, at least
under tree Accordingly, rallying the droop-
mo spirits Of our men,we encouraged them TO re-
new their eXertious by setting them the example,
and our canoe darted silently and swiftly down
the current. We were enabled to steer her
iyh,ly by the viyidness of the lightning. which
Flashed across the water continually, aud by this
means also we could distinguish any danger be-
lore US, aud avoid the numerous small islands
with which the river is interspersed, aud which
Otherwise might have embarrassed US very seri-
pusly But though we could perceive almost
lose 10 US several lamps burning in comfortable
booking huts, and could plainly distinguish the
oices of their occupants, and though We exerted
Bit our strength to get 10 them, we were fuiled
In every attempt. BY reason of the sIoughs aud
lens, and we were at last obliged TO abandon
them in despair. Some of these lights, after
beadius US a long way, eluded our search, and
Vanished from our sight like an ignts faiuns, and
others danced about We knew not how nor where.
but what was more vexatious than all. after we
had got autonlet, and toiledaud tugged for full
half hour against the current, which in this little
canal was uncommonly rapid, to approach viii
lage from which we thought it flowed, both viii
|laSe and lights seemed to sink into the earth,
hue sound Of the peoples voices ceased OF
IA sudden, and when we fancied we were actually
close TO the spot, we strained our eyes IN vain t
see single hut,-all was gloomy, dismal, cheer
less, and solitary. 1t seemed the work of en-
thantment; everything was as visionary as
b spectres grasped in sleep"
We had padded along the banks distance oil
hot less than thirty miles. every inch of which
I'VE had a,tentively examined, but not bit Of
Ilry land could any where be discovered which
WAS firm enough to bear our weight. Therefore
we resigned ourselves to circumstances, aud ali
Df US having been refreshed with little cold rice
bni homes, and water from the stream, we per.
nitted the canoe to drift down with the current,
or our men were too much fatigued with the Ia
bOrs Of the day to work any longer. But here a
rcsh evil arose, which we were unprepared to
meet An Incredible number of hippopotam
rose very near US, and came FLASHING, suorting,
blunging, all around the canoe, and placed US
imminent danger. Thinking to Brighten them
pFl, we fired shot or two at them, but the Noise
baiy called up, from the water, and out OF the
cas-; about as many more OF their unwieldly
companions, and we were more closely beseI
han before. Oar people, who had never in al
heir lives been exposed in canoe to such huge
nd formidable beasts, assembled with fear and
apprehension, and absolutely wept aloud; and
heir terror was not 4 little increased BY the
readtul pcals Of thunder which ratified over
heir heads. and by the awful darkness which pre-
Ea,led, broken at intervals bv flashes of hight
bing, whose powerful glare was truly awful
pur people tell Us. thdt tneSe iOrmuaOie animals
frequently upset canoes in the river, when every
Pne in them is sure to perish. These came 81
lose TO US that we could reach them with the butt
nd of agun. When fired at the first, which
hnst have hit. every one Of them came to tht
urface OF the water, aud pursued US so fas
the north bank, that it was with the great
ST difficulty imaginable we could keep before
hem. Having fired second time, the report
nav gun was followed by loud roaring nost
nd we seemed to increase oar distance from
hem. There were two Bornou men aIlong oul
rev; who were not SO frightened as the rest
a,iag seen some of these creatures before or
AXE Techad, where. they say, plenty of then
bound.
However, the terrible hippopotami did us nj
md Of mischief whatever, no doubt, at first wheI
interrupted them, they were only sporting ant
allowing in the river for their own amusement
" had they upset our canoe, we should hav
hid dearly for it.
We observed bank on the north side of tn
yer shortly after this, and proposed halting oil
Tor the night, for wished much to put my foo
hrm land again, This, however, not one Q