THE WILD FAUNA OE THE EMPIBE 



67 



warped at the time, and our tormentors fled along the ropes to our 

 benefactors. 



_ After this the worst trouble we endured was from our own 

 sailors. At the best it is tedious work to navigate a heavy boat 

 against the north wind. The current is often powerless against 

 it, but if a large piece of sudd travelling down stream can be 

 found and anchored to the boat, she needs must travel without 

 labour to anybody, though slowly. But if the wind is light 

 progress may be made by tacking and poling. Our men generally 

 had some excuse for not doing this when a favourable opportunity 

 arose. _ My annoyance with these troublesome children was 

 sometimes converted into admiration when they swarmed to the 

 end of our eighty-foot yardarm, swaying in a gale, to furl the 

 rebellious sail. 



