BAD CONDUCT OF CANOEMEN. 195 



with them on this proceeding, asserting that they 

 had agreed for additional pay to proceed during 

 the night, that I might avoid the dreadful heat of 

 the day ; — I was completely in their power ; and 

 as there was no alternative but that of submit- 

 ting, I desired the boy to make a large fire on 

 the bank, and, lighting my pipe, contrived to 

 smoke myself into something like equanimity. 

 In the morning the canoemen returned ; and as 

 grumbling was of no use, I endeavoured to coax 

 them into a little extra exertion by purchasing 

 provisions for them. 



As we proceeded up the river, I was much 

 struck by the size of it. We passed immense 

 sandbanks, which as they are covered when the 

 river is swollen, it must then afford a magnificent 

 prospect. In the afternoon we arrived at a small 

 creek, which we had great difficulty in entering, 

 and again stopped for the night. My crew this 

 time had the civility to pass their night's rest 

 close to me, taking the precaution to make two 

 immense fires to keep off the wild beasts, which, 

 they said, were numerous in that neighbourhood. 

 One of the crew also kept watch, and was reliev- 

 ed in the night by his companions. 



In the morning we again proceeded. The 



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