break up the SKIFF. 
115 
We encamped rather earlier than usual upon the left bank 
of the river, near a broad creek ; for as the skiff had been a 
great drag upon us, I determined on breaking it up, since there 
was no probability that we should ever require the still, which 
alone remained in her. We, consequently, burnt the former, 
to secure her nails and iron work, and I set Clayton about 
cutting the copper of the latter into the shape of crescents, 
in order to present them to the natives. Some large huts 
were observed on the side of the creek, a little above the 
camp, the whole of which faced the N.E. This arrange- 
ment had previously been noticed by us, so that I was led 
to infer that the severest weather comes from the opposite 
quarter in this part of the interior. I had not the least 
idea, at the time, however, that we should, ere we reached 
the termination of our journey, experience the effects of 
the S.W. winds. 
We must have fallen considerably during the day from 
the level of our morning’s position, for we passed down 
many reaches where the decline of country gave an in- 
creased velocity to the current of the river. 
I had feared, not only in consequence of the uncere- 
monious manner in which we had left them, but, because 1 
had, in some measure, rejected the advances of their chiefs, 
that none of the natives would follow us, and I regretted 
the circumstance on account of my men, as well as the 
trouble we should necessarily have in conciliating the next 
tiibe. We had not, however, been long encamped, when 
seven blacks joined us. I think they would have passed 
i 2 
