In the afternoon, however, we again pushed forward, and soon lost sight of every other object amidst reeds of great height.

The channel of the river continued as broad and as deep as ever, but the flood mark did not show more than a foot above the banks, which were now almost on a level with the water; and the current was so sluggish as to be scarcely perceptible.

These general appearances continued for about three miles, when our course was suddenly, and most unexpectedly, checked.

The channel, which had promised so well, without any change in its breadth or depth, ceased altogether; and whilst we were yet lost in astonishment at so abrupt a termination of it, the boat grounded.

It only remained for us to examine the banks, which we did with particular attention.