LEMONADE FOR THE MISSIONARY. 155 



cataract itself. Thej remarked with surprise, that the 

 natural dam over which the river was precipitated, pre- 

 sented a dry sjoace of considerable extent, where the;y 

 stopped to see the boat go up. 



The rock of gneiss exhibited circular holes, the largest 

 of which were four feet deep, and eighteen inches wide. 

 These funnels contained quartz pebbles, and appeared to 

 have been formed by the friction of masses rolled along 

 by the impulse of the waters. Their situation, in the 

 midst of the cataract, was singular enough, but unat- 

 tended by the smallest danger. The missionary, who 

 accompanied them, had his fever-fit on him. In order 

 to quench the thirst by which he was tormented, the 

 idea suggested itself to them of preparing a refreshing 

 beverage for him in one of the excavations of the rock. 

 They had taken on board at Atures an Indian basket 

 filled with sugar, limes, and grenadillas. As they were 

 destitute of large vessels for holding and mixing liquids, 

 they poured the water of the river, by means of a cala- 

 bash, into one of the holes of the rock : to this they 

 added sugar and lime-juice. In a few minutes they had 

 an excellent beverage. 



Ailer an hour of expectation they saw their boat 

 arrive above the cataract, and were soon ready to depart. 

 They were now overtaken by a storm, accompanied 

 happily by no wind, but the rain fell in torrents. After 

 rowing awhile, the pilot declared, that, far from gaining 

 upon the current, they were again approaching the cata- 

 ract. These moments of uncertainty appeared to them 

 very long ; the Indians spoke only in whispei^, as they 

 always did when they thought their situation perilous. 

 They redoubled their efforts, and the travellers arrived 



