52 PREPARE TO LAUNCH THE CANVASS BOATS. [CH. If. 



and Conadilly. Some of these streams traversed extensive 

 plains, subject to inundation, but the low rocky hills in this 

 neighbourhood, afforded perfect security. The country 

 smoked around us on all sides ; and the invisible blacks, 

 the Barber's allies, were not well disposed towards us, but 

 in a position like this our depot would be secure. I accord- 

 ingly made preparations for constructing our boats and 

 launching them on the Nammoy as soon as possible. With 

 four adjoining trees cut off at equal height, we formed a 

 saw-pit, and a small recess which had been worked in the 

 bank by the floods, served as a dock in which to set up and 

 float the boats. We had fixed upon this spot, because it 

 appeared more favourable for launching, than that higher 

 up the river, where the water was shallower, and drift 

 timber lay across it. \ 



The course of the Nammoy, as far as it could be traced 

 from the hill, was northward, and the evening being clear, 

 I could perceive very plainly in the same direction, the 

 western extremity of the range, which we had so needlessly 

 endeavoured to cross. 



