By this arrangement each party would command a view of the opposite heights above the heads and out of sight of their companions, and could give the alarm should they perceive any Indians lurking there.

The signal of alarm was to be two shots fired in quick succession.
The boats proceeded for the greater part of the day without seeing any signs of an enemy.

About four o'clock in the afternoon the large boat, commanded by Mr.Hunt, came to where the river was divided by a long sand-bar, which apparently, however, left a sufficient channel between it and the shore along which they were advancing.

He kept up this channel, therefore, for some distance, until the water proved too shallow for the boat.

It was necessary, therefore, to put about, return down the channel, and pull round the lower end of the sand-bar into the main stream.