172 BUYING PROVISIONS. 



hauls up a considerable distance beyond the 

 opposite point, at which the landing is to be 

 effected, and then keeping the head turned 

 a little up the stream, leaves the shore and 

 is carried down (making only a few strokes 

 of the paddle) to the intended point. 



During my progress up this river, I acted 

 as caterer, and had frequently to land to 

 purchase provisions in small proportions, 

 getting a fowl at one place, a few eggs or 

 onions at another, and so forth. I always 

 found it necessary to back my requests by 

 the ceremony of chinking my purse in the 

 ears of the natives, who were apprehensive 

 that we were officers, and would according- 

 ly take their provisions, without paying for 

 them. On one of these occasions, being on 

 my way to the shore in a small canoe, we 

 came in contact with some branches, to clear 

 which I caught hold of one of them, but, from 

 inexperience, in such a manner as to impet 



