This inlet he proposed to explore, and accordingly the sail was taken down, and the cutter was poled into the narrow creek.

The water here was so shallow that the keel slid over the quicksand into which the oar sank freely.

The creek soon became narrow, the water deeper, and of a blacker color, and the banks more densely covered with canes.

These grew to the height of ten and twelve feet, and as close as wheat in a thick crop.

The air felt dank and heavy, and hummed with myriads of insects.