DANGER AHEAD 
hard work. Anyhow, we got the cherries, and that was 
the principal thing. 
We continued our journey over a small rapid with a 
low hill range spreading from west to east on the left 
hank. The river here was 300 metres wide. A hill range 
from 100 to 200 feet high was also to be seen on the right 
bank, running parallel with that on the left. Five or six 
kilometres farther another high range of a gorgeous cobalt- 
blue colour and extending from southwest to northeast, 
stood in front of us. The river in that stretch was most 
beautiful, and was 900 metres wide. A charming little 
island 300 metres long was reflected in the water, which 
looked as still as oil in that particular part, although it 
actually ran swiftly. 
Although that scene was of great placidity, we believed 
there was more danger ahead of us, for we could hear in 
the distance the loud roar of another rapid or waterfall. 
Judging by the noise we knew it must be a big one. Soon 
afterwards we reached the rapid. 
We had the greatest difficulty in approaching this, 
owing to the strong current we encountered in a small 
channel we followed near the right bank. The rapid was 
400 metres wide and 400 metres long, with a drop of from 
four to five feet. Although we expected trouble at that 
spot, we shot the rapid with comparative ease, but we 
were badly knocked about, and shipped a considerable 
amount of water from the high waves thrown violently 
against the rocks. We camped that night near the rapid, 
having travelled in the day twenty-six kilometres. We 
made our camp in the forest and we experienced stifling 
heat, the minimum temperature (August 9) being 73° 
Fahrenheit, with heavy rain which came down upon us 
through the foliage in regular buckets-full. 
We had nothing to eat in the evening. In the morning 
our breakfast consisted of two sardines each. We went 
on in a half-hearted way, my men grumbling all the time, 
195 
