440 SCARCITY OF PROVISIONS. 



times, but always dropped astern after looking 

 earnestly at her ; and he finally departed, afraid 

 to execute his orders. When he returned to his 

 monarch, it is probable he gave some strange 

 account of the white men and their vessel. We 

 passed several palm-trees, and at 6 p. m. came to 

 an anchor. 



The river to-day has gradually widened as we 

 have proceeded. At 4 o'clock we again entered 

 the main branch ; a circumstance which gave us 

 no small satisfaction. All around us continued 

 to wear a dismal and gloomy appearance. Since 

 yesterday we had only had a glimpse of one 

 small canoe. Our provisions had now failed, 

 and we possessed neither rice, yams, nor plan- 

 tains ; neither was there a prospect of any town 

 from whence we might obtain a supply. We 

 had passed some palm-trees, and had seen an 

 immense number of alligators swimming round 

 us in every direction, one of which followed the 

 vessel a considerable distance. The river has 

 taken an ample sweep to the southward. In the 

 afternoon we observed smoke rising from a spot 

 situated a small distance from the banks, which 

 gave us hopes that the next day we should be 



