1834.] INDIANS. 169 



surrounding plains. It runs in a winding course through a valley, 

 which extends in a direct line westward. This valley varies from 

 five to ten miles in breadth ; it is bounded by step-formed terraces, 

 which rise in most parts, one above the other, to the height of five 

 hundred feet, and have on the opposite sides a remarkable corre- 

 spondence. 



April 19^. Against so strong a current it was, of course, quite 

 impossible to row or sail: consequently the three boats were 

 fastened together head and stern, two hands left in each, and the 

 rest came on shore to track. As the general arrangements made 

 by Captain Fitz Eoy were very good for facilitating the work of 

 all, and as all had a share in it, I will describe the system. The 

 party, including every one, was divided into two spells, each of 

 which hauled at the tracking line alternately for an hour and a 

 half. The officers of each boat lived with, ate the same food, and 

 slept in the same tent with their crew, so that each boat was quite 

 independent of the others. After sunset the first level spot where 

 any bushes were growing, was chosen for our night's lodging. 

 Each of the crew took it in turns to be cook. Immediately the 

 boat was hauled up, the cook made his fire; two others pitched 

 the tent ; the coxswain handed the things out of the boat ; the rest 

 carried them up to the tents and collected firewood. By this order, 

 in half an hour everything was ready for the night. A watch of 

 two men and an officer was always kept, whose duty it was to look 

 after the boats, keep up the fire, and guard against Indians. Each 

 in the party had his one hour every night. 



During this day we tracked but a short distance, for there were 

 many islets, covered by thorny bushes, and the channels between 

 them were shallow. 



April %Qth. We passed the islands and set to work. Our regular 

 day's march, although it was hard enough, carried us on an average 

 only ten miles in a straight line, and perhaps fifteen or twenty 

 altogether. Beyond the place where we slept last night, the 

 country is completely terra incognita, for it was there that Captain 

 Stokes turned back. We saw in the distance a great smoke, and 

 found the skeleton of a horse, so we knew that Indians were in the 

 neighbourhood. On the next morning (21st) tracks of a party of 

 horse, and marks left by the trailing of the chuzos, or long spears, 

 were observed on the ground. It was generally thought that 

 the Indians had reconnoitred us during the night. Shortly after- 



