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BOAT-BUILDING. 33
ferry-boat out in deep water ; but before we knew what we
were about they had waded out into the stream, had met
us, and were on board the ferry-boat, depositing their
possessions on the deck in front of my writing-table. After
being well paid for their trouble they plunged back again
into the water and returned the same way they had come,
laughing and jesting at the success of their little stratagem.
After rounding a couple more bends of the river, we
thought it time to prepare for camping, especially as the
sun was dipping to the horizon. As compared with pitching
camp on a land journey with a big caravan, when you have
to unload and arrange all the baggage, put up the tent,
and furnish it, and then get your supper ready, camping
b}^ the river side is mere child’s play. As soon as I saw a
suitable site on the bank, I commanded halt. In went
Palta’s pole to the bottom, and propping his feet against
the fore-deck for better leverage, he forced the huge craft
to describe a half-circle with her stern in towards the bank.
Then one of the other men leapt on shore with a rope in
his hand, and in a trice we were anchored to a tree stump.
A couple more ropes made us perfectly secure against
drifting off in the night.
Our encampment soon became the scene of busy life and
bustle. Boxes containing provisions and cooking utensils
were carried on shore. Axes and spades were speedily at
work, making a clearing in the young forest, where the men
spread out their sleeping-carpets in a ring round the fire,
which was very soon blazing away merrily in the twilight.
Copper saucepans, filled with water for the tea, were soon
spluttering on the embers, with an iron tripod fixed above
them for our cooking-pot. Meanwhile, the first sheep was
being slaughtered. After its legs were tied together with
a piece of rope, the butcher seized it by the nose with his
left hand, and with the other cut its throat. As soon as
the poor beast had ceased to struggle he set about skinning
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