381 
Chap. XXIII.—B. P.] HOW TO MAKE A CHOWPA. 
ways, and firmly secured to each of the three rafters 
by the aforesaid vine string, commonly called withes; 
parallel to this cane on each side others are laid. 
The structure then looks like very open basketwork, 
and only requires thatching to complete it. This 
is done hy laying on palm leaves in bunches, the rib 
or backbone of the leaves lying close together inside, 
and then bound securely to one of the canes placed 
lengthways. This is repeated on each of the parallel 
canes; and then the crown is completed by dexter¬ 
ously twisting the branches together in such a manner 
that an equal part hangs down on each side of the 
centre cane, you have now an admirable and cool 
shelter, quite impervious to the heaviest rains and to 
the rays of the fiercest sun. But inasmuch as in 
ascending rivers where the current is strong, it is 
often necessary to creep along shore, either to find 
water shallow enough to enable one to use the pole; 
or to get out of the strength of the current, thus 
repeatedly bringing the chowpa in violent contact 
with branches of trees, to the serious detriment of 
the thatch,—I always take care to place over all a 
stout tarpaulin, having brass thimbles let into the 
corners, for securely fastening it down to the gunwale ; 
with this addition the chowpa is not easily injured. 
Inside, a few planks laid lengthways on the top of 
some sticks placed crosswise on the bottom, suffice as 
a flooring to keep the passenger well above any water 
which may collect in the bilges, whether caused by 
the top of a wave or by the rain. 
To the rafters the gun, ammunition, machete, tele- 
