98 
RAPID IN THE RIVER. 
equality of height, sandy elevations still occasionally formed 
a part of them, and their summits were considerably higher 
than the alluvial flats. 
It was upon the crest of one of these steep and lofty 
banks, that on the morning of the 22nd, the natives who 
were a-head of the boat, suddenly stopped to watch our pro- 
ceedings down a foaming rapid that ran beneath. We were 
not aware of the danger to which we were approaching, 
until we turned an angle of the river, and found ourselves 
too near to retreat. In such a moment, without knowing 
what was before them, the coolness of the men was strikingly 
exemplified. No one even spoke after they became aware 
that silence was necessary. The natives (probably antici- 
pating misfortune) stood leaning upon their spears upon 
the lofty bank above us. Desiring the men not to move 
from their seats, I stood up to survey the channel, and to 
steer the boat to that part of it which was least impeded by 
rocks. I was obliged to decide upon a hasty survey, as we 
were already at the head of the rapid. It appeared to me 
that there were two passages, the one down the centre ol 
the river, the other immediately under its right bank. A 
considerable rock stood directly in own way to the latter, so 
that I had no alternative but to descend the former. About 
forty yards below the rock, I noticed that a line of rocks 
occupied the space between the two channels, whilst a reef, 
projecting from the left bank, made the central passage 
distinctly visible, and the rapidity of the current propor- 
tionably great. I entertained hopes that the passage was 
