12 THE EXPLORATION OF THE NIGER

however, I confess I am not very proud of the decision I came to. The material was not hardenough ; it was easily bent ; it staved in at the slightest shock, and I often wished

I had decided on a steel boat. At the same time, it should

be admitted that its chief quality — that of lightness — was never really put to the test ; for throughout the journey we never once had to take our craft to pieces, for the purpose of

carrying it in sections, over otherwise insurmountable ob-

stacles. As she was launched at Kolikoro, so she arrived at Wari. This was perhaps as well ; for I really do not know whether the bolts once taken out of their strained sockets

would ever have fitted properly again. To sum up, how-

ever, the Davoiist, an aluminium boat, reached the mouth

of the Niger, which was really all that was expected of her.

Now let me introduce my Davoust properly. She is not exactly a handsome craft. She looks more like a wooden shoe or a case of soap than anything ; that is to

say, the stern is square, whilst the bow runs up into a point. This pointed bow, I must remark en passant, will be very

useful for jumping on shore from without wetting our feet.

She is about 98 feet long by j\ feet wide, and only draws about a foot and a quarter of water, which does not prevent

her from carrying nine tons. Two water-tight partitions divide her into three compartments, the central one of which forms the hold, where are stowed all our valuables, food, ammunition, and bales of goods. The hold is covered in with steel plates, which serve as a deck, and at the same time greatly add to the general strength of the craft.

The other two compartments, covered in by thin planking,

serve as cabins. The planks, as will be readily understood,

are but little protection against the heat of the sun and in storms ; but, of course, it was impossible for me to add needlessly to the weight of the boat, merely for the sake of

comfort. In the centre is placed a machine gun. In the