ose diabolical waters. Therefore, when you
considered the terrific speed at which the canoe was travelling, and that
the men must have known that a mistake in judging the distance would have
meant utter destruction, you could not but admire them for their really
amazing self-confidence. On many occasions, indeed, I had to do the same
thing myself, but I must say I never liked it much; although I was in a
better position than they were, as I am a good swimmer--not that a
swimmer would have much chance in those waters.

A number of islets were seen below the rapids and whirlpool. From that
point we discerned on the right bank an elongated hill, 100 ft. high.
Slightly beyond, preceded by a great mass of rock, was another island 200
m. long, dividing the stream in two. Two other islands, one 700 m.
long--Leda Island--the other one Medea Island, of greater length but much
narrower, were disclosed behind it.

Then came another great barrier of rocks extending from south-west to
north-east, and more rapids to be negotiated. A series of elongated
islets and sand-banks occurred in the basin which followed, 1,300 m.
wide. Beautiful sand-beaches had formed on either side of that lovely
bay. The river then narrowed again to a width of 500 m., and we saw a
long flat island of sand, 200 m. long and 50 m. wide, enclosed by rocks
in the centre of the stream.

We continued our journey, after the usual halt for taking astronomical
observations, and had before us a small hill 100 ft. high at bearings
magnetic 300 deg..

We came to a series of most dangerous rapids with terrific whirlpools,
especially after the first and second rapid. Another great barrier of
rocks with huge boulders spread across the stream from south-west to
north-east. An isolated hill was to be seen on the left bank where this
barrier was found. A strange coffin-shaped boulder of immense size was
then reached on the right side of the stream, just after we had passed a
delightful sand-spit 100 m. long enclosed within a stockade of
pillar-like rocks.

From this point we had 4,000 m. of clear navigation to 280 deg. b.m. It
seemed heavenly to us to be in smooth waters again, and my men flattered
themselves that we had now come to the end of the rapids altogether. But
we soon arrived at innumerable rocks in a confused mass right across the
stream, between which the river flowed with great force in a contracted
neck. We passed between two islands, each 200 m. long, at t