A Thousand-Mile Walk 
bottom. Was unable to find the ford to which 
I had been directed by Mr. Prater. 
I then determined to push on southward 
regardless of roads and fords. After repeated 
failures I succeeded in finding a place on the 
river bank where I could force my way into the 
stream through the vine-tangles. I succeeded 
in crossing the river by wading and swimming, 
careless of wetting, knowing that I would soon 
dry in the hot sunshine. 
Out near the middle of the river I found 
great difficulty in resisting the rapid current. 
Though I braced myself with a stout stick, I 
was at length carried away in spite of all my 
efforts. But I succeeded in swimming to the 
shallows on the farther side, luckily caught 
hold of a rock, and after a rest swam and 
waded ashore. Dragging myself up the steep 
bank by the overhanging vines, I spread out 
myself, my paper money, and my plants to 
dry. 
Debated with myself whether to proceed 
down the river valley until I could buy a boat, 
[ so J 
