ACCIDENT TO THE BOAT. 
191 
had all along anticipated such an accident, from the diffi- 
culty of avoiding obstacles, in consequence of the turbid 
state of the river. Fortunately the boat struck a rotten 
log. The piece remained in her side, and prevented her 
filling, which she must, otherwise, inevitably have done, 
ere we could have reached the shore. As it was, however, 
we escaped with a little damage to the lower bags of flour 
only. She was hauled up on a sand bank, and Clayton 
repaired her in less than two hours, when we reloaded her 
and pursued our journey. It was impossible to have been 
more cautious than we were, for I was satisfied as to the 
fate that would have overtaken the whole of us in the event 
of our losing the boat, and was proportionably vigilant. 
At half-past five we came to an island, which looked so 
inviting, and so quiet, that I determined to land and sleep 
upon it. We consequently, ran the boat into a little recess, 
or bay, and pitched the tents; and I anticipated a respite 
from the presence of any natives, as did the men, who were 
rejoiced at my having taken up so snug a berth. It hap- 
pened, however, that a little after sunset, a flight of the 
new parroquets perched in the lofty trees that grew on the 
island, to roost; when we immediately commenced the 
work of death, and succeeded in killing eight or ten. The 
reports of our guns were heard by some natives up the 
river, and several came over to us. Although I was annoyed 
at their having discovered our retreat, they were too few to 
be troublesome. Duiing the night, however, they were 
joined by fresh numbers, amounting in all to about eighty, 
