DIFFICULTIES IN NAVIGATION. 
87 
blanket with me, and felt the cold considerably, 
though we kept up a good fire. I shot badly, and 
with worse luck, killing nothing, though I had two 
good chances at buffaloes, four at sea-cows, one at 
impala, one at a waterbuck ram. Most of these I 
hit; but hitting and killing large game are two very 
different things. 
13 th. — We started early on our return, and on 
the river I got into difficulties with the canoe. As 
there were no natives at hand, I got into it alone, 
but could not keep her head up stream. In drifting 
down at a rapid pace, she shot under the overhang¬ 
ing bough of a tree, and swept me out. I clung to 
the branch, and got my heels into the boat, and then, 
with a desperate effort, my whole body ; but I lost 
my long pole, which, being made of greenwood, sank 
to the bottom. I had a paddle, however, and brought 
her to the side, where I clung on to some branches, 
and awaited assistance. As long as I held on to the 
trees, there was no danger, except from crocodiles, 
which were rather numerous there. An Amatonga 
at last came to my assistance in another canoe, and 
we fastened them together. I worked the paddle 
and he the long pole, and we got across, making one 
boat fast, and working the other up stream, to the 
landing-place. 
14 th. — Partook of my last coffee and sugar, with 
deep regret and many a pang. 
The captain made me a present of a small pair of 
tusks, and tried hard to bargain for one of my guns, 
