rses, as it was impossible to cross them. We
were out of meat, so Mr. Shaw promised to send some to the man the
following day. We started on our four-mile pull, Shaw with the sculls,
and I in the stern to steer the canoe. In the shallow water between the
channels we had to be very careful, as patches of lignum were showing
above the water, and our boat being only canvas, a slight prick of the
lignum would perforate it. However, we made the crossing safely, and
arrived at the station at sun-down. I was very glad to get comfortable
quarters once more, and Mr. and Mrs. Shaw and their family treated me
right royally.

After a stay of five days we found the water had gone down and left
several islands visible between the channels. When the flood allowed we
started, taking a long, strong piece of rope, provisions, and about ten
black fellows. Shaw and I paddled the boat containing the rope and
provisions. The black boys swam the channels, and carried the boat
across the islands, where we walked. We arrived at my camp in the
afternoon, and prepared for an early start on the morrow. Whilst I was
away a mob of travelling cattle had come to the camp. The men had killed
a beast, and were making a boat of the hide to carry their saddles and
provisions across. The mosquitoes that night were something to be
remembered, and my man looked as if he had measles.

We had a good breakfast at daylight, and then commenced crossing in the
following manner:--Some of the boys would wade into the water until it
was up to their waist. I would then drive the buggy and four horses up
to them, unharness the latter, putting the harness in the boat to be
rowed to dry land. The boat would then return for the provisions and
every movable article in the buggy. The horses were then swam over,
after which the rope was attached to the axle of the buggy and run along
the pole, a half-hitch being tied at the point. When all were across,
and the rope brought over by the boat, all hands would pull the buggy
across. It would, of course, soon disappear beneath the water, and at
each disappearance I wondered if I should see it again. Had the pole
caught in a stump, the probability was that it or the rope would break.
However, we got it safely across the channels, which varied in depth up
to 25 feet of water. It was quite dark when we reached the station, all
tired out. The black boys behaved splendidly, so I gave them the
"pituri" intended for Mr. Bailey. This gi