46 
TRAVELS IN ABYSSINIA. 
the mathematicians and engineers of Europe may 
see, that they do not enjoy a monopoly of the power 
of invention, but have rivals among the Gingiros, 
from whom such refinements could belittle expected. 
They killed a cow, and formed the hide into a 
kind of large bladder, into which they put some of 
their clothes, partly with the view of conveying 
them over, and partly to serve as ballast. The 
bladder was then strongly inflated, and to each ex- 
tremity was attached a piece of wood, like a com- 
mon walking cane ; to each end of which was fast- 
ened one of the party, so that four, altogether, 
were at one time attached to it. The instrument 
formed a species of balance ; it was necessary that 
the two sides should be made perfectly equal, and, 
particularly, that the passengers should remain im- 
moveable, and should not stir or bend their body 
in any direction, otherwise the equipoise was lost, 
and the machine overturned. An able swimmer, 
before, performed the office of a prow, and drew 
the machine on by a rope attached to it, w T hile two 
behind, acting as a stern, endeavoured to direct 
its movements. Thus they at length reached the 
opposite shore, though carried by the impetuosity 
of the stream far below the point from which they 
had set out. On landing, they fell on their knees, 
and returned fervent thanks to heaven for having 
delivered them out of this balance. 
Having overcome these formidable natural ob- 
5 
