FALLS OF GONYE. 139 



remained from the previous evening meal, or a biscuit with 

 honey, and drink water. 



After an hour's rest, we again embark and cower under 

 an umbrella. The heat is oppressive, and, being weak 

 from the last attack of fever, I cannot land and keep the 

 camp supplied with flesh. The men, being quite uncovered 

 in the sun, perspire profusely, and in the afternoon begin 

 to stop, as if waiting for the canoes which have been left 

 behind. Sometimes we reach a sleeping-place two hours 

 before sunset, and, all being troubled with languor, we 

 gladly remain for the night. Coffee again, and a biscuit, or 

 a piece of coarse bread made of maize-meal, or that of the 

 native corn, make up the bill of fare for the evening, un- 

 less we have been fortunate enough to kill something. — 

 when we boil a potful of flesh. This is done by cutting it 

 up into long strips and pouring in water till it is covered. 

 When that is boiled dry, the meat is considered ready. 



The people at Gonye carry the canoes over the space 

 requisite to avoid the falls by slinging them on poles tied 

 on diagonally. They place these on their shoulders, and, 

 Betting about the work with good humor, soon accomplish the 

 task. They are a merry set of mortals; a feeble joke sets 

 tliem off in a fit of laughter. Here, as elsewhere, all peti- 

 tioned for the magic lantern; and, as it is a good means of 

 conveying instruction, I willingly complied. 



The falls of Gonye have not been made by wearing back 

 like those of Niagara, but are of a fissure form. For many 

 miles below, the river is confined in a narrow space of not 

 more than one hundred yards wide. The water goes boiling 

 along, and gives the idea of great masses of it rolling over 

 and over, so that even the most expert swimmer would find 

 it difficult to keep on the surface. Here it is that the river, 

 when in flood, rises fifty or sixty feet in perpendicular 

 height. The islands above the falls are covered with foliage 

 as beautiful as can be seen anywhere. Viewed from the 

 mass of rock which overhangs the fall, the scenery was the 

 loveliest I had seen. 



Nothing worthy of note occurred on our way to Nameta 



