262 
A SMALL TBIBUTARY. 
narrowest channel, the other being blocked up by large 
trees thrown across, to impede the progress of hostile 
canoes. The branch we entered was so straightened, 
that in some places, had we been using oars instead of 
paddles, they woidd have touched the boughs of the 
trees, which stretch out a very considerable distance 
from the banks on the east side. It was full of snags, 
or trunks of trees, against one of which our boat sti’uck 
so violently, we thought there must be a hole knocked 
in the bottom, as the water rushed in very fast, but it 
proved only to have been the plug forced out. The 
smell in this creek was very oifensive, from the quantity 
of decayed vegetable matter on the banks, that in 
some parts were thickly matted with creeping plants : 
these afforded hiding-places for canoes, which were 
drawn into their leafy retreat by a small aperture 
among the tangled underwood, like the opening to a 
nest. We were very happy to get to the main stream 
above the island, but had not proceeded far, when a 
heavy shower of rain obliged us to take shelter in a 
hut at the foot of a hill. As there seemed to be little 
prospect of its clearing up, a man was sent to re- 
connoitre a nllage called Kokki, which Glasgow said 
was at a short distance; and having ascertained that 
we could be accommodated, we resolved on passing 
the night there, with the view, if possible, of going 
forward to Abo in the morning. 
The walk up to the village, lay through a beautiful 
and well-cultivated country, in which partial clearings 
