have gone on ourselves without any fear of harm, but it was impossible to leave all our things: it was at the same time essential to reach the coast within a month, as our funds were insufficient for a longer stay. After some consultation, it was determined that I should make an effort to get to Abbeokuta down the valley of the Ogun through Isehin.
Accordingly, leaving all the parcels in the care of the Doctor, taking with me only the means of living on the journey, and accompanied by our cook and interpreter, the latter to return for the Doctor if carriers could be found, we left Oyo on the morning of the 6th of March, and arrived at Isehin about eight o'clock the same evening. The road, at best but little frequented, was now completely deserted, and in many places almost impassable on horseback. Two or three hours from Oyo, we came to the iron-smelting village already referred to.
It was apparently entirely unoccupied, and I dismounted and examined the construction of their furnaces: remounting and again attempting to go for-ward, my attendants hesitated, declaring they heard voices in the bush ahead.
I affected to despise their fears, and moved for-wards, bidding them follow, which they did at a very respectful distance. True, we had not advanced a
