274 Through the BraziHan Wilderness 



have been obstacles to loaded Canadian canoes, two of 

 them were serious to tis. Our heavily laden, clumsy 

 dugouts were sunk to within three or four inches of the 

 surface of the river, and, although they were buoyed on 

 each side with bundles of burity-palm branch-stems, they 

 shipped a great deal of water in the rapids. The two 

 biggest rapids we only just made, and after each we had 

 hastily to push ashore in order to bail. In one set of big 

 ripples or waves my canoe was nearly swamped. In a 

 wilderness, where what is ahead is absolutely unknown, 

 alike in terms of time, space, and method — for we had 

 no idea where we would come out, how we would get out, 

 or when we would get out — it is of vital consequence not 

 to lose one's outfit, especially the provisions ; and yet it is 

 of only less consequence to go as rapidly as possible lest 

 all the provisions be exhausted and the final stages of the 

 expedition be accomplished by men weakened from semi- 

 starvation, and therefore ripe for disaster. On this occa- 

 sion, of the two hazards, we felt it necessary to risk run- 

 ning the rapids ; for our progress had been so very slow 

 that tmless we made up the time, it was probable that 

 we would be short of food before we got where we could 

 expect to procure any more except what little the country 

 in the time of the rains and floods, might yield. We ran 

 until after five, so that the work of pitching camp was 

 finished in the dark. We had made nearly sixteen kilo- 

 metres in a direction slightly east of north. This even- 

 ing the air was fresh and cool. 



The following morning, the ISth of March, we 

 started in good season. For six kilometres we drifted 

 and paddled down the swift river without incident. At 



