60 SHOALS IN THE RIVER. 



Plains. The first reach led us a mile and a half 

 in a S. E. direction, and at the end of it a flat of 

 large boulders extended ; across this we dragged 

 the boats easily. The river now took a turn 

 from E. N. E. to North, and at the end of a mile we 

 came to another extensive flat, quite dry. There 

 was a deep pool below it, with a precipitous 

 hill, 350 feet high, on the eastern side. This 

 we called Steep Head, and its singular dark cliffy 

 face, frowning over the placid waters, gave an air of 

 grandeur to the scenery. Stretched out on the face 

 of these clifis, we left the skin of our friend the 

 alligator, to be taken to the ship by the watering 

 boats when they returned. There was now heavy 

 work before us, with the thermometer at 93'' in 

 the shade : — we had to drag the boats over the 

 large flat that impeded our progress. The way was 

 made as smooth as possible, and plenty of rollers 

 laid, but an unlucky stone found its way through 

 the thin plank of the gig. Captain Wickham acted 

 as head carpenter in repairing the damage, which 

 occupied so much time that it was dark before the 

 boats were floated in the deep water beyond. We 

 dined on the bank, by the light of a lantern hung 

 on a tree. The tide at this place only rose two 

 feet. 



November 5. — Taking advantage of the cool of 

 the morning, we moved ofl" with the early dawn. 

 A fine sheet of water lay before us, and everything 

 promised well. The vegetation looked stronger 



