'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎213] (232/622)

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
213
at a place called Galwen, he landed at Munjaia, but, owing to
the unfriendly conduct of the people, was unable to proceed
inland. On the 1st of April he made another attempt at Merka,
where he made chronometrical observations and called on the
chiefs, producing the Imaurn's letter. While at Brava, Lien-
tenant Christopher had been warned against landing at Merka,
or Mukdeesha (called also Magadoxa), and, when we remember
the unprovoked attack by these people, about forty years before,
on the boats of H.M.S. 6 Leopard ? and 'Daedalus,'^ when they
killed Lieutenant Mears and several men with their spears, it
must be owned that the character for treachery and cruelty of
the natives on this coast, was fully justified. Lieutenant Chris
topher was gifted with that combination of gentleness with
courage, which is the true attribute of all great travellers among
savage races, and, after gaining the good will of the Sultan of
Merka, he inspired confidence in the failing hearts of his guides,
who wept with fear at being compelled to trust themselves
among the natives of the interior. Passing through a country
which bore evidences of great fertility, he arrived, after a march
of nine or ten miles, on the banks of the river, which he found
had a depth at this point of seventeen feet, with a breadth of
150 feet. On the 6th, the 'Tigris,' after taking on board
2,300 gallons of water, sailed for Magadoxa, where by dint of a
judicious display of force in the shape of the boats manned and
armed, with their carronades on board, and the marines as a
guard, he succeeded in obtaining the requisite permission to
land. The chief on the Haines River having sent Lieutenant
Christopher the required written authority, he proceeded up
country on the 10th of April, with two of his officers, Messrs.
Robinson and Metcalf, a guard of fourteen men, marines and
seamen, and ten spearmen sent by the Sheikh. On the follow
ing day the party arrived at the river, which they crossed in the
presence of seven thousand spectators, and visited Giredi, the
capital of the Sultan, by whom they were well received. One
day was devoted to exploring the neighbourhood, and then
Lieutenant Christopher returned to the 4 Tigris,' having, as he
says in his journal—extracts from which, as well as a map, are
published in Vol. XIV. of the Journal of the Royal Geographical
Societyf— u traced this fertilizing stream for 110 miles of direct
distance, and established a friendly intercourse with the Chief
resident on its banks."
# The 'Daedalus' struck on the shoal called after her when running down
to pick up the survivors of the massacre, which took place at the mouth of
the Juha, or Grovind River, called bj ancient navigators Rio dos Fuegos, or
Rogues' River.
t See also his " Extract from a Journal, kept during a partial inquiry into
the present resources and state of North-Eastern Africa, with Memoranda,"
addressed to Government, by whom it was presented to the Bombay Greogra-
phical Society, in Yol. YI. of whose "Transactions" it appears.