XXVI.] SWAMPS AND BOGS. 343 



of trees, between which we waded through mud often waist- June, 

 deep. It was useless to trust to the delusive help of the slip- i^'^^- 

 pery footing these trunks afforded ; for on attempting to bal- 

 ance one's self on one of them it would turn slowly round, and 

 precipitate the unfortunate individual into stagnant water full 

 of rotting vegetation. 



One or two such awkward experiences taught us that it was 

 wiser to wade along the swampy ground, with the penalty of 

 being wet to the waist, rather than to purchase a temporary im- 

 munity at the risk of a ducking from head to foot. 



Beyond this was a fairly dry tract of grass, and then the mo- 

 rass itself. The path was knee-deep in sticky mud, and quak- 

 ing bog lay on either side. 



Some endeavored to avoid the muddy path by springing from 

 tuft to tuft of long wiry grass, which grew abundantly. But 

 they soon came to grief, for the tufts were merely floating on 

 the mixture of slime and mud, and capsized directly they were 

 stepped upon, throwing the wretched being who had been de- 

 ceived by their apparent stability into the treacherous bog, from 

 which he had to be extricated by more prudent companions, 

 who patiently toiled along the path, instead of seeking ease at 

 the risk of safety. Many men were rej)orted to have been lost 

 in similar bogs. 



Through the centre of the morass was a stream of beautifully 

 clear water, ten feet wide and six deep, with an apparently firm 

 bed of yellow sand. But the sand was only a few inches deep, 

 and beneath was quaking mud. 



At intervals in the expanse of swamp there were island-like 

 clumps of tall, slender trees, growing as closely together as pos- 

 sible, and rising from the green surface without any fringe of 

 scrub or undergrowth. They formed a dense mass, owing to 

 the luxurious growth of various creepers netting them together 

 into an impenetrable thicket. 



Viewed at a short distance, these swamps had the appearance 

 of verdant meadows, the clumps of trees greatly enhancing their 

 beauty ; and not until arriving at them did sad experience of these 

 veritable "sloughs of despond" dispel the pleasant deception. 

 The scene, as one looked across them, with the caravan in Indian 

 file winding along like some huge black snake, was most striking. 



