At length we reached the shallow water, and as the keel struck gently on a rock we were overboard, soon pulling the boat on the island, where the others quickly followed.

By hauling the craft down the right-hand side for about half the island's length, we were able to pull directly across the tail of waves from the right-hand rapid, and avoid being swept against the cliff on the left where the whole river set.

So close did every boat go that the oars on that side could not be used for a moment or two; and then we were past.

At a higher stage of water this place would be much simpler.

The river became serene; night was falling; we drifted on with the current till a roar issuing from the darkness ahead admonished us to halt.