Each of the
cataracts was preceded by a basin of still water, and here it became
necessary to swim to the shore and descend the rocks to the bottom of the
fall. Some who remained behind threw the piperies into the stream to be
carried over the liquid precipice, and recovered by swimming out to meet
them, or replaced by new ones when lost.
After three days of this singular navigation it was decided, in view of
the fact that the piperies were often dashed together to their mutual
injury, to separate and keep at a distance from each other, those who went
first marking out by small flags where it was necessary to land. During
their progress the question of food again became prominent, the salted
horsemeat they had brought with them being spoiled by its frequent
wetting. Game was plentiful, but their powder was all spoiled, and the
only food to be found was the fruit of the banana-tree, which grew
abundantly on the banks.
The cupidity of the freebooters was not abated by the danger of their
situation. They made the most earnest endeavors to preserve their spoil,
and some of the poorer ones even resorted to murder to gain the wealth of
their richer comrades.
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