OUT INTO TEE ATLANTIC. 
515 
them, in the intermediate spaces, lie calm basins. Nor 
is the left bank free from them, though all the force 
of the river has been for ages mainly directed against it. 
We descended on the 20th to Mata river, on both 
sides of which the natives were sulky, and disposed to 
resent our approach, but no outbreak occurred to mar 
our peaceful progress to the sea. They would not, 
however, part with food except at extravagant prices. 
They are devoted to whitebait or minnow-catching, 
MASSASSA FALLS. 
which they dry on the rocks for sale in the markets, 
and here, all day long, we found them, crouched behind 
the shelter of large rocky fragments with their enormous 
hand-nets resting close by them, whistling to the 
minnows. As soon as the shoal advanced about them, 
they swam out in a body forming line with their nets 
laid diagonally across in front of them to meet the 
shoal ; and then, returning to the shore, would empty 
tlieir “ finds ” on a large slab-like rock, amid boasts, 
and jests, and rude excitement. At the same time the 
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