I had a canal cut through the muddy floor, and in misery and low spirits we took possession.
On the following morning not a native was present! We had been entirely deserted; although I held the spears and shields, every man had absconded.

There were neither inhabitants nor provisions.

The whole country was a wilderness of rank grass that hemmed us in on all sides.
Not an animal, nor even a bird, was to be seen; it was a miserable, damp, lifeless country.

We were on elevated ground, and the valley of the Somerset was about two miles to our north, the river roaring sullenly in its obstructed passage, its course marked by the double belt of huge dark trees that grew upon its banks.
My men naturally felt outraged and proposed that we should return to Patooan, seize the canoes, and take provisions by force, as we had been disgracefully deceived.

The natives had merely deposited us here to get us out of the way, and in this spot we might starve.