AN AWKWARD FIX. 243 



boundary of the river. After having pulled our boat for 

 about two miles against the stream, we were compelled, by 

 the rapidity of the current and the shallowness of the 

 water, to beach her, and to proceed on our weary way 

 wading through water, mud, and marl, which we did for 

 about two miles more ; and truth renders it requisite for 

 me to state that every additional view we obtained of the 

 river, it looked less like a stream in which salmon fishing 

 was to be had. So, weary, jaded, disgusted, and hungry, 

 we retraced om' steps in the direction of our yacht ; and 

 never shall I forget the absurd and grotesque difficulties 

 we experienced in the endeavour to change our clothes in 

 her cabin while she still remained upon her beam ends : 

 it was the only time I ever envied a house fly his ability 

 to walk on the ceiling. Finding it impossible to hold a 

 heavy portmanteau in my arms, to unlock it, and abstract 

 the necessary garments all at the same time, we adjourned- 

 to the sandy beach, where we made a very comfortable 

 toilette, and were delighted to find our fellow travellers 

 superintending the boiling of as fine a lot of coral lobsters 

 as I ever laid my eyes upon. When they were fully 

 cooked we got all the appliances and means for dining, 

 and then and there made a luxurious and a hearty meal, 

 after which I fell asleep on the sand, and slept soundly 

 till eleven o'clock, p.m., when we again went on board, 

 and, with a light breeze from the westward, bade adieu 

 to the Pentecost, which we had been taught to believe was 



B 2 



