6 4 



CHAPTER XII. 



AN EXCITING NIGHT. 



Although the sun looked quite half-an-hour high 

 from the hill side, when we reached the bottom of 

 the valley comparative darkness reigned around. 

 Through its centre was very distinctly marked, 

 where periodically flowed a river, and one that at 

 certain seasons must be a formidable obstacle ; the 

 precious fluid was, however, wanting. Umpiqua 

 stated that he was certain there was water not far off, 

 for there were fresh " rhinoster" tracks going along 

 the dry bed westward, so if I would wait, he 

 would go and prospect. ' Sunday also proposed the 

 same plan, but started in the reverse direction. 

 Thus I was alone in one of the most weird-like 

 places I think that I have ever seen in my life. For 

 amusement I will try to describe it. The channel 

 of the watercourse was sunk about thirty feet below 

 the banks, and these were margined with immense 

 boulders and rocks of very fantastic appearances ; 

 the sides of the river-bed also had an extraordinary 

 and luxuriant drapery of many varieties and species 

 of parasitic plants, all seeming to be incessantly on 

 the move, thus constantly changing the face of the 

 surroundings, and producing whispering sounds, 



