to the E.N.E., and the day was favourable and cool.  Our progress was in every way satisfactory, and if any change had taken place in the river, it was that the banks had increased in height, in many places to thirty feet, the soil being a red loam, and the surface much above the reach of floods.  The bank opposite to the one that was so elevated, was proportionably low, and, in general, not only heavily timbered, but covered with reeds, and backed by a chain of ponds at the base of the outer embankment.

Intercourse with natives.

About 4 p.m., some natives were observed running by the river side behind us, but on our turning the boat’s head towards the shore, they ran away.  It was evident that they had no idea what we were, and, from their timidity, feeling assured that it would be impossible to bring them to a parley, we continued onwards till our usual hour of stopping, when we pitched our tents on the left bank for the night, it being the one opposite to that on which the natives had appeared.  We conjectured that their curiosity would lead them to follow us, which they very shortly did; for we had scarcely made ourselves comfortable when we heard their wild notes through the woods as they advanced towards the river; and their breaking into view with their spears and shields, and painted and prepared as they were for battle, was extremely fine.  They stood threatening us, and making a great noise, for a considerable time, but, finding that we took no notice of them, they, at length, became quiet.  I then walked to some little distance from the party, and taking a branch in my hand, as a sign of peace, beckoned them to swim to our side of the river, which, after some time, two or three of them did.  But they approached me with great caution, hesitating at every step.  They soon, however, gained confidence, and were ultimately joined by all the males of their tribe.  I gave the first who swam the river a tomahawk (making this a rule in order to encourage them) with which he was highly delighted.  I shortly afterwards placed them all in a row and fired a gun before them:  they were quite unprepared for such an explosion, and after standing stupified and motionless for a moment or two, they simultaneously took to their heels, to our great amusement.  I succeeded, however, in calling them back, and they regained their confidence so much, that sixteen of them remained with us all night, but the greater number retired at sunset.

On the following morning, they accompanied us down the river, where we fell in with their tribe, who were stationed on an elevated bank a short distance below—­to the number of eighty-three men, women, and children.  Their appearance was extremely picturesque and singular.  They wanted us to land, but time was too precious for such delays.  Some of the boldest of the natives swam round and round the boat so as to impede the use of the oars, and the women on the bank evinced their astonishment by mingled yells and cries.  They entreated us, by signs, to remain with them, but, as I foresaw a compliance on this occasion would hereafter be attended with inconvenience, I thought it better to proceed on our journey, and the natives soon ceased their importunities, and, indeed, did not follow or molest us.