The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-12-19
An Adventure in an African
River. ...
ny CAPTAIN MARRYATT.

| Unnamed my boats and went on shore for
the ivory that was left found that it would
take the whole day 10 embark it, as we had
to go two miles further up The river than the
depth ofwater would permit the vessel to do,
for the ivory was in hut close 10 the kings
house. had sent four boat loads, and il be-
| ing then noon, went off with the fifth my
sctf,hat might get my dinner, leaving the
second mate TO attend on shore, and taking
the first mate with me, who messed in the
cabin. As we were in the middle Of the
stream, the boat struck against stump of n
tree, ms we supposed, and Knocked so large n
hole in the bow that she began 10 fill inn
mediately ordered the men to phil for the
| n, narest point, which was on the opposite side
ofthe river, that we might ground the boat 10
nr.yept her sinking.
The frst mate, who was very active man,
finding th,,t the elephants teeth prevented
his reaching ,.he bow of the boat, and stufiing
INTO II some ook, I'm which he had found in
the Stern sheets. So. nded with the boat-hook,
and finding that there was not more thuh
three feet of water where We were p'ulng'
jumped over the bows 10 push he oahl'm ~
to the hole; but the poor fellow had not been
few seconds in the water when he gave a
shrek, and we perceived that large shark
had snapped him in two. This was sad
UllS0aI, anu lllc ulGl, puIiSN
as they could while two of them bailed out
the boat to gain the shore, for we knew what
fare awaited us if we sunk in the river. With
great eXertou we succeeded, running her up
among the canes, which grew on that side OF
the river so thick that il was difficult TO force
our way through them. ....r
We landed up TO our knees in mud, ana
throwing out the ivory, we found that whole
plank was rent out, aud that Il was impossible
TO repair our boat, and we were hidden by
the canes from those who could have assist
ed us had they known that we required their
assistance, and we had no possible means OF
communication. AT last thought, that II
could force my way through the canes to Inc
point down the river, could hail and make
signals for assistance, and desiring the men
to remain by the boat, set off on my eXpedi-
ton. At first got on pretty well, as there
were little paths through the canes, made as
imagined, by the natives; and although was
often up TO my knees in thick, black mud, !
continued to get on pretty fast, but at last the
canes grew so thick that could hardly force
my way through them, and it was work OF
excessive labor. Still persevered, expect
ing each second that should arrive at the
banks of the river and be rewarded for my
| fatiguehut the more labored the worse tap
peared to me, and at last became worn out
with fatigue and quite bewildered. then
tried to find my way back, aud was equally
| unsuccessful. and sat down with anything
but pleasant thoughts in my mind. cncu-
| lated that had been two hours in making
this attempt, and was now quite puzzled how
to proceed, bitterly iamented my rJshness
now that il was too late.
Having reposed little resumed my toll,
and was again, after an hours exerIion. com
PEELED, from fatigue, to sit down IN the deep
black mud. Another respite from toll, and
another hour or more ofexertion, aud | gave
myselfup for lost. The dry was evidently
fast closing in, the light overhead was not
near so bright as il had been, and knew that
a night passed in the miasma ofthe calie was
death. At last it became darker and darker.
There could not be an hour of daylight re-
naming. determined upon one more
struggle, and reeking as was with petspIra-.
ton and faint with fatigue, rose again, and
forcing my way through the thickest OF the
canes when heard adeep growl, and per-
ceived large panther not twenty yards from
me. twas on the move MS well as Twas, ut
tempting 10 force his way through the canes
SO as to come TO me. rctrentcd from him
as fast as could, but he gained slowly on me,
and my strength was fast exhausting.
thought / heard sounds at n distance, and
they became more and more distinct but
what they were my fear&my struggles proba
bly, prevented me from making out My eyes
were fixed upon the fierce animal who was in
pursuit of me, and / now thanked God that
the canes were 50 thick and impassibe.---
Still, the animal evidently gained ground
until it was not more than five yards from me
dashng and springing at the canes, and tear
ing them aside with his teeth. -i@' u
H. The sounds were now nearer, and j made
them out to be the bowling of other animals.
1 A moments pause and thought u WINS the
baying of dogs, and Then Thought that mus
haye arrived close to wherethc schooneriaid;