Encountering a good deal of trouble in high winds and shoals he finally reached a vein of reddish water which he surmised came from "Red River," and at two o'clock of the same day he saw an opening ahead which he took to be the mouth of the river.

An hour later all doubt was dispelled, and by half-past six he came to anchor for the night at the entrance, believing the tide to be at nearly low water.

"In the middle of the night," he says, "I was awakened by the dew and the noise of jackals.

I took this opportunity of examining the lead which had been left hanging alongside, to see what water we had.

What was my astonishment to find only a foot and a half.