ABSTRACT
‘The voyage of the prince down this extraordinary river was extremely fatiguing and hazardous. Sometimes he / met with extensive shallows, or reefs of rocks, over which he was obliged to draw the canoe; at other places, falls and rapids, by which he was exposed to be swallowed up, or dashed in pieces: so that, if he had not been an expert swimmer, and endued with great perseverance and presence of mind, he must have inevitably perished. The long detours and windings of the river, and the various branches into which the traveller might be led by mistake, rendered his progress uncertain and flow. At night, he was under the necessity of drawing up his canoe on the meadows, to prevent its being swept away by sudden freshes, and, by overturning it, to obtain a shelter against dews or rain, and the incursions of the numerous beasts of prey.
