Chap. XXXV. THE PASSAGE. 
471 
came out of the water, were persuaded that I had 
obtained plenty of it. However, the river was already 
too full for investigating this matter further. 
At length a canoe arrived, the largest of the two 
that were actually employed, and a long bargaining 
commenced with the eldest of the canoemen, a rather 
short and well set lad. Of course as the chief of the 
caravan, I had to pay for all, and there being three 
camels and five horses to be carried over, it was cer- 
tainly a difficult business. It cannot, therefore, be 
regarded as a proof of exorbitant demands, that I had 
to pay five " doras," a sum which in Kukawa would 
buy two oxen loads of Indian corn. I allowed all the 
people to go before me, in order to prevent the ca- 
noemen from exacting something more from them. 
There was considerable difficulty with my large 
camel-bags, which were far too large for the canoes, 
and which several times were in danger of being 
upset ; for they were so unsteady that the people 
were obliged to kneel down on the bottom, and keep 
their equilibrium by holding with both hands on the 
sides of the boat. Fortunately I had laid my tent- 
poles at the bottom of the canoe, so that the water 
did not reach the luggage; but owing to the care- 
lessness of the Hajji's companions all his books were 
wetted, to his utmost distress ; but I saw him after- 
wards shedding tears, while he was drying his dete- 
riorated treasures on the sandy beach of the headland. 
The horses as they crossed, swimming by the sides 
of the canoe, had to undergo great fatigue, but de- 
H H 4 
