ARCADIA. 327 



Hercules alfo, entered the river in full fail. We 

 avoided, at firft, three fand-banks which are fitu- 

 ated at it's mouth ; afterwards, being fairly in- 

 volved in the channel, we could fee nothing 

 around us, but a vaft foreft, which extended 

 down to the very banks of the river. The only 

 evidence we had of a country inhabited, was fome 

 frnoke, which appeared rifing, here and there, 

 above the trees. We proceeded in this manner 

 till night prevented us from diftinguifhing any ob- 

 jedl ; then the pilot thought proper to caft anchor. 



The veffel, driven on one fide by a frefh 

 breeze, and on the other by the current of the 

 river, was forced into a crofs poficion in the chan- 

 nel. But, notwithftanding this dangerous fitua- 

 tion, our failors began to drink and make merry, 

 believing themfelves fecure from all danger, be- 

 caufe they were furrounded with land on every 

 lide. They afterwards went 10 reft, and not a 

 lingle man remained on deck, to watch the mo- 

 tions of the lliip. 



Cephas and I ftaid above, feated on one of the 

 rowers' benches. We banifhea Heep from our 

 eyes, by converfing on the majeftic appearance of 

 the ftars which rolled over our heads. Already 

 had the conftellation of the Bear reached the 

 middle of it's courfe, when we heard, atadiftance, 



Y 4 a deep 



