186 FROM THE NIGER TO THE NILE 



in two channels. We found the main one was impossible 

 to attempt, for a great volume of water bounded over rocks 

 half sunken in its centre. The other channel was formed 

 by slabs with a fall of some 4 ft., down which the stream 

 poured with less force. Below the rapids the torrent had 

 carved a deep bed. In the waters of this pool the black 

 bodies and bright eyes of huge crocodiles, disturbed by 

 our approach, rose and sank — a sight which struck terror 

 into the hearts of the " boys," while the Saras shook their 

 heads and put their hands together twice after their fashion 

 to express despair. 



We succeeded in pulling the boats by means of ropes 

 to within a few yards of the smaller channel. The loads 

 were then taken out and the empty boats were half lifted, 

 half pulled over the four yards of rock into deep water 

 above. It was now that the lightness and the double keel 

 construction of the boats told to advantage, and the first 

 of the many rapids which they had to pass before reaching 

 their journey's end was sucessfully overcome. 



Having once more loaded up the boats, we continued our 

 journey, and soon the noise of the Crocodile rapids behind us 

 sounded like a distant murmur upon the ear. Although the 

 depth of the water, which varied from 7 to 9 ft., made 

 poling difficult, steady progress was maintained until two 

 o'clock, when a heavy storm threatened, and we made for a 

 sand-bank where we pitched tents only just in time before the 

 rain came on. This was fortunate, for there is nothing a 

 native dislikes more than rain and nothing that knocks him 

 up quicker than a drenching. Although it may be with 

 some loss to progress, it is a wise rule to halt whenever 



