OF THE OLD "WORLD. 271 



question. To cross where we wore was imiDOssible, 

 but after some reconnoitring we found that below the 

 falls the current ran much less rapidly, forming a 

 kind of pool about a hundred yards across or more. 

 This was not the first time that either I or my fol- 

 lowers had crossed a river without a ford, and many 

 a stronger current had I stemmed in my time than 

 that then before me ; tlie only difficulty was to get 

 the guns and ammunition over dry. 



After a moment's consideration, I made the gang 

 collect a number of dry logs and bamboos, and with 

 the aid of the stalks of creepers, which served as 

 ropes, I tied them together and made a small raft, 

 on which I securely tied the guns, tools, &c. I then 

 stripped, and throwing my clothes on the top, cau- 

 tiously entered the stream, and by laying hold of the 

 raft, with the assistance of Chineah and Googoo- 

 loo, pushed it before me. Plunge, plunge, plunge, 

 I heard behind me, until the last of my gang had 

 taken to the water, and was swimming silently to a 

 smooth ledge of rocks on the opposite side, where, 

 one after another, we landed, donned our toggery, 

 and made sure that our arms had not got wet ; after 

 which we clambered up the bank, and by keeping 

 along the stream soon recovered the trail. 



Feeling considerably refreshed with our bath, we 

 made short work with what little cold provision we 

 had left in our wallet, and forgetting our fatigue, 

 once more pushed on at a rapid rate. 



Hours rolled by, and daylight found us still on 



