268 TRAVEL, ADVEXTUKE, AND SPOET. 



some searching for oars, others for missing sails, ivc. 

 Here a sergeant came to say that the spare rowlocks 

 issued to his boat would not fit ; another reported 

 that although he had been given a lamp, he had not 

 received any oil for it, and so on ; staff officers 

 running about in all directions, endeavouring to 

 rectify mistakes and smooth doAvn difficulties. To 

 a civilian unacquainted with the working of an army, 

 and the manner in which various duties are classified, 

 divided and subdivided amongst ranks and individ- 

 uals, each having their special work assigned to 

 them, such a scene must have been like Pande- 

 monium let loose. 



The boats being duly loaded, the crews were put 

 into them. In more than one instance it was found 

 that the men when placed on the thwarts had no 

 room to stretch their legs so as to enable them to 

 row, and a restowage of cargo had therefore to be 

 effected. All were laden to the utmost extent com- 

 patible with safety. Up to a late hour the proper 

 number of voyageurs had not arrived. The original 

 intention was to have three in each boat who were 

 to steer it, and manage it when in rapid water an 

 art of itself requiring great nerve as well as length- 

 ened experience. 



At the last moment the number per boat had to 

 be reduced to two, more not being forthcoming. 



The sun had disappeared for some time ere, all 

 being in readiness, the order was given for this first 



