‘March’ 7.—­This morning the Brothers crossed over to the camp, when they had the satisfaction of finding, on counting the cattle, that a number were away, and when the horses were tried, two of them were found missing, besides one that had died during their absence, “Lady Scott.”  They were immediately sent for, and the remainder of the party employed in preparing for the crossing, and killing a beast.  A fresh raft was made with the hide capable of carrying 400 lbs. weight.  The two Somerset blacks evinced a great deal of surprise at sight of the cattle, and expressed it by chirping and making various curious noises with their tongues and mouths.  Accustomed chiefly to fish, herbs, and roots, the succulent beef had charms which outweighed surprise, and another night was spent in feasting on the “oddments” of the fresh killed beef.

‘March’ 8.—­The missing cattle and horses were brought in with the exception of three, which prevented the party crossing to-day, although all was now in readiness.  The river was still 200 yards wide, and running strongly, so that it was expedient to cross the whole together.

‘March’ 9.—­The three missing cattle not having been found, the crossing operations were commenced at mid-day.  The width and appearance of the river made it difficult to make the cattle face it, but they were all safely crossed after a little time, with the exception of one, which broke away, and could not be recovered.  The pack-horses were then put over, which was easily accomplished, and it then only remained to cross the packs and baggage.  The raft answered admirably, and everything was ferried over in safety, till the last cargo, when a little adventure occurred, which nearly cost the life of one of the party.  Cowderoy, being unable to swim, had to be taken across holding on to the raft, and was, therefore, left to the last; all went well with him until within 30 yards of the bank, when, whether from trepidation, induced by visions of alligators (with which the river indeed abounds), or from an attempt to strike out independently, he “succeeded” in upsetting and sinking the raft, and was with some difficulty got to the shore “quitte pour la peur.”  In truth it requires some nerve for a man who can’t swim to cross a wide and rapid river.  Without a confiding trust in the means adopted for his transport, a catastrophe is not an unlikely result.  The writer has known instances of persons crossing broad rivers supported by a spear held between two blacks, by holding on to a bullock’s tail, and even sitting on a horse’s back, but in every case the success of the attempt depends almost entirely on the coolness of the individual, and even with this essential, he has known some fatal cases, so that Cowderoy might congratulate himself on his safe transit.  The packs, etc., which formed the last cargo, were recovered after some time, the distance from the shore being slight, and Cowderoy soon recovered his accustomed good humor.  By four o’clock everything had been crossed in safety, save the four beasts before mentioned; but on camping for the night it was found that the guides had decamped, their unwonted high feeding, having, no doubt, induced an indisposition to work, a result not confined to blacks alone.