DANGER OF COLLISION WITH THE NATIVES. 176 
characters of those whom he recommended. But however 
well selected the party, or the men rather, might be, I still 
consider a man of general responsibility necessary for its 
complete organization. I would have him somewhat supe- 
rior to the rest in his station in life. Him I would hold an- 
swerable for the immediate discipline of the camp, whilst I 
was present, and for its safety when absent. The assistant 
to the leader I would put entirely out of the question. He 
has other and most important duties to perform. I would 
rate this man wholly independent of him. 
In reference to what I have already said with regard to 
the natives, it was supposed that they were so little to be 
apprehended, that when I went on the first occasion into 
the interior, I applied for a limited number of men only, 
under an impression that with a few men I could carry pro- 
visions equal to a consumption of a greater number, and by 
this means be enabled to keep the field for a greater length of 
time. But I do not think it would be safe to penetrate into 
the distant country with fewer than fifteen men, for al- 
though, happily, no rupture has as yet taken place with the 
natives, yet, there is no security against their treachery, 
and it is very certain that a slight cause might involve an 
expedition in inextricable difficulty, and oblige the leader 
to throw himself on the defensive, when far away from other 
resources than those with which he should have provided 
himself, and that, perhaps, when navigating a close and 
intricate river, with all the dangers and perplexities atten- 
dant on such a situation. It is absolutely necessary to 
