452 AUDUBON 



tree, partly lying on the bank, and partly projecting be- 

 yond it, impedes their progress, and requires to be doubled. 

 This is performed by striking it with the iron points of the 

 poles and gaff-hooks. The sun is now quite low, and the 

 barge is again secured in the best harbor within reach. 

 The navigators cook their supper, and betake themselves 

 to their blankets or Bear skins to rest, or perhaps light a 

 large fire on the shore, under the smoke of which they 

 repose, in order to avoid the persecutions of the myriads 

 of mosquitoes which are found along the river during 

 the whole summer. Perhaps, from dawn to sunset, the 

 boat may have advanced fifteen miles. If so, it has done 

 well. The next day, the wind proves favorable, the sail 

 is set, the boat takes all advantages, and meeting with 

 no accident, has ascended thirty miles, perhaps double 

 that distance. The next day comes with a very different 

 aspect. The wind is right ahead, the shores are with- 

 out trees of any kind, and the canes on the bank are so 

 thick and stout that not even the cordelles can be used. 

 This occasions a halt. The time is not altogether lost, as 

 most of the men, being provided with rifles, betake them- 

 selves to the woods, and search for the Deer, the Bears, or 

 the Turkeys that are generally abundant there. Three 

 days may pass before the wind changes, and the advan- 

 tages gained on the previous fine day are forgotten. 

 Again the boat proceeds, but in passing over a shallow 

 place, runs on a log, swings with the current, but hangs 

 fast, with her lee side almost under water. Now for the 

 poles ! All hands are on deck, bustling and pushing. At 

 length, towards sunset, the boat is once more afloat, and is 

 again taken to the shore, where the wearied crew pass 

 another night. 



I shall not continue this account of diflSculties, it having 

 already become painful in the extreme. I could tell you 

 of the crew abandoning the boat and cargo, and of number- 

 less accidents and perils; but be it enough to say that 



