486 THE REED-EAPT. 



Bayeye, either for hunting purposes or for descending the 

 Teoge and other rivers, is exceedingly simple in its construc- 

 tion. All one has to do is to cut the reeds (the different 

 species of palmyra, from their buoyancy, are peculiarly well 

 adapted to the purpose) just above the surface of the water, 

 and to throw them in layers, crosswise, until the heap is of 

 sufficient size to support the party. No binding of any kind 

 is requisite ; but fresh layers of reeds must occasionally bo 

 added to the raft, as, from the constant pressure at the top, 

 the reeds get soaked, and the air contained in them displaced 

 by water. A stout pole is placed upright in the centre of the 

 mass, to which is attached a strong and long rope. When 

 the voyagers wish to land, this rope is taken ashore by one 

 of the men in the canoe that is always in tow or on board 

 the raft, and secured to a tree or other firm object. 



No small recommendation to the reed-raft is the extreme 

 facility and ease with which it can be constructed. In the 

 course of an hour, three or four men can put one together of 

 sufficiently large dimensions to support themselves and bag- 

 gage. 



This mode of conveyance, though inconvenient enough, is 

 well worthy the traveler's attention, and more especially in 

 localities where suitable wood for the construction of a com- 

 mon raft is difficult to procure — any where, in short, where 

 boats or canoes are not obtainable. It must be borne in 

 mind, however, that the reed-raft is only available where the 

 current is in one's favor. 



Though I was at first much disconcerted at the appear- 

 ance of our very primitive looking craft, I soon got accus- 

 tomed to it, and it proved far more comfortable than might 

 have been supposed. It was much safer, moreover, than our 

 own canoes, one or two of which we obtained shortly after 

 our departure. No efforts were made to steer or propel the 

 raft, which was left entirely to the stream. As soon as we 

 were caught by some projecting reed-bed — and this was of 



