448 VOYAGE DOWN THE RIVER. 



flat, and unprofitable." The greatest punish- 

 ment is to be deprived of social intercourse, 

 after having tasted its sv^eets ; but yet a short 

 absence from it enhances its value, as we ex- 

 perience its want. 



March 13th. A fine morning: — still descend- 

 ing the river, though slowly, as its waters 

 were fast decreasing. Breakfasted on some 

 good fish, called denton, caught by the peons, 

 who were sent a-head in a canoe, with a cast 

 net. We scarcely lost sight of huts ; but the 

 plantations cannot go into the interior above 

 fifty yards, as the whole beyond that distance 

 is morass. During the afternoon caught more 

 fish; in four casts about two hundred boca- 

 chicas were obtained. Found the patron a 

 well-behaved, sensible man, whose conversa- 

 tion and enquiries were much superior to any 

 thing I could have expected from his rank 

 in life. 



We took in a considerable quantity of sugar- 

 cane, of which ihe peons ate voraciously. 



March 14th. Passed some high land on the 

 right bank of the river: no other variety what- 

 ever, and no change of scene. 



March 15th. During the night passed the 



