416 
THE WOODEN HORSE. — CANOES. 
31 Oct. 
is driven a stout peg of about a foot in length : this log, the chief 
utility of which is derived from its buoyancy, is placed under the 
body, and there held by one arm, while the other, and both legs, are 
used in swimming : the peg resting against the shoulder, keeps the 
log in its proper place ; and by directing it obliquely upwards against 
the stream, the swimmer generally succeeds in stemming the violence 
of the current, so much that he reaches the spot exactly opposite, 
or nearly so, to that from which he started. 
One is here naturally inclined to wonder that the necessity 
under which these people must frequently find themselves, of cross- 
ing this broad river, has never yet compelled them to contrive some- 
thing in the form of a boat or canoe : but a little consideration on 
their wandering, unsettled mode of life, will at once show that, under 
their actual circumstances, the present method answers all purposes 
sufficiently well. A log of dry willow wood is to be found without 
trouble, at almost every place where the circumstance of the moment, 
may require them to cross the stream ; and, on reaching the other 
side, they merely draw it a few paces up the bank, out of the reach of 
the water, and, without ever giving it a further thought, leave it for 
the use of the next person who may chance to come that way. But 
the possession of a canoe would bring on them the care of preserving 
it, as well as the necessity of always abiding near the same spot : 
both which are, to the highest degree, uncongenial to the inclinations 
and habits of these tribes. 
Our visitors, whom we had been attentively watching while thus 
working their way through the stream, no sooner felt themselves in 
shallow water, than they stood up, and warmly greeted us with 
salutations in their own language, and advanced toward the shore, 
each carrying his log on one shoulder, and dragging the bundles of 
rushes with the other hand. Their horses were left on the bank : 
with cheerfulness and good-will expressed in their countenances, 
they brought their loads to the waggons, and in the liveliest manner 
clacked to us as if we had understood every word they said. We were 
however, not in want of interpreters ; and, having paid them in dakka 
and tobacco-stems, received a friendly invitation to visit their kraal, 
