&iO BISCOVEMES OF THE ENGLISH. 
so narrow, that, in crossing, both sides of the canoe 
rubbed against the rocks. On passing this obstacle, 
it soon appeared, not only that the world extended 
beyond Barraconda, but that all the evils predicted 
from the hostility of the natives were wholly chi- 
merical. They were found a harmless people, and 
supplied them plentifully with fowls and other 
provisions. They now, however, found themselves 
in the region of crocodiles, river-horses, and ba- 
boons. What was worse, they commenced that 
struggle against the flats, which continued without 
intermission during their subsequent voyage. The 
whole of the narrative henceforth relates to the ef- 
forts and schemes for conveying themselves over 
these barriers. On the 21st, fifteen days after 
passing Barraconda, they came to a place where 
there was not water sufficient to float the boats, 
and the bed being quicksand, which sunk beneath 
the foot, it was impossible to hawl them through. 
All the natives assured them, that it was vain to 
think of ascending higher till the next rains. 
Stibbs, however, continued to beat about all day 
and the next night, in hopes of finding a passage ; 
but being still unsuccessful, he gave up the under- 
taking as hopeless. The river was here diffused to 
the breadth of 160 yards, doubtless one cause of its 
extreme shallowness. He was now nearly opposite 
to Tenda, probably about the same spot which ar- 
rested the progress of Jobson. Some merchants 
