GROSVENOR INDIAMAN. 31 
dark, when, arriving- at a convenient spot, they kindled a fire 
and reposed for the night. 
Next day they proceeded, as they conjectured, thirty miles ; 
and though they saw great numbers of the natives, they re- 
ceived from them not the least molestation. Toward the close 
of the day they reached an extensive wood, and being fearful 
of entering it, lest they might lose their way, they spent a 
restless night on its verge, being terribly alarmed by the howl- 
ing of wild beasts. 
They continued their route the following day till noon, with- 
out any other food than wild sorrel and such berries as they 
observed the birds to peck at. None of the natives made their 
appearance. The wanderers having reached a point of the 
rocks, found some shell-fish, and after refreshing themselves 
they advanced till they came to the banks of a large river, 
where they reposed. 
Next morning, finding the river very broad and deep, and 
several of the company being unable to swim, they resolved 
to follow its ^^dndings, and seek some place where it was ford- 
able. In their way they passed many villages, the inhabit- 
ants of which were too m'^'^.h alarmed to yield them any as- 
sistance. Pursuing the course of the river a considerable way, 
and not finding it become narrower, they determined to con- 
struct catamarans, a kind of a raft, in order to cross it. This 
being effected with such materials as they found on the banks, 
those who could not swim Avere placed upon the float, which 
being impelled by the others, they all crossed it in safety, 
though the river was computed to be not less than two miles 
over. 
It was now three days since they had left the sea, and dur- 
ing that period they had scarcely taken any nourishment but 
water and a little wild sorrel. They therefore again directed 
their course to the shore, where they were fortunate enough 
to find abundance of shell-fish, which afforded them a very 
seasonable refreshment. 
After following the trendings of the coast for three or four 
days, during which the natives suffered them to pass without 
molestation, penetrating a pathless wood, where perhaps no 
human being ever trod, uncertain which way to proceed, in- 
commoded by the heat, and exhausted by the fatigues of their 
march, they were almost ready to sink, when they reached 
the summit of a hill. Here they rested, and had the satisfac- 
tion to see a spacious plain before them, through which a fine 
stream meandered. As the wild beasts, however, were accus- 
