CHAMPANS. 



147 



the bogas take the tow-rope in his mouth, 

 and partly by swimming, partly by hauling 

 by the trees, pass the rapid, and make fast 

 the rope at a sufficient distance to allow 

 us to haul through it; by which means 

 we cleared this rapid. The bogas com- 

 plained much of the state of the river, and 

 were very desirous to stop until the water 

 should fall, to which we would not consent. 

 About four o'clock, in turning a point, we 

 suddenly came in sight of two large cham- 

 pans, made fast under a high bank. They 

 had been detained four days, and absent 

 from Monpox twenty-eight. They were 

 laden with French wines and dry goods, 

 intended for the capital. The chief owner 

 was a Frenchman named Le Blanc, the 

 other a native of the island of Cura^oa. 

 We purchased a quantity of claret, both 

 in cases, and demijohns ; and our newly- 

 formed acquaintances serenaded us with 

 music in the evening; which had a pecu- 

 l2 



