We waded a long way among the reeds in water breast deep, but always found a broad, deep space free from vegetation and unfordable.

A peculiar kind of lichen, which grows on the surface of the soil, becomes detached and floats on the water, giving out a very disagreeable odor, like sulphureted hydrogen, in some of these stagnant waters.
We made so many attempts to get over the Sanshureh, both to the west and east of the wagon, in the hope of reaching some of the Makololo on the Chobe, that my Bushmen friends became quite tired of the work.

By means of presents I got them to remain some days; but at last they slipped away by night, and I was fain to take one of the strongest of my still weak companions and cross the river in a pontoon, the gift of Captains Codrington and Webb.

We each carried some provisions and a blanket, and penetrated about twenty miles to the westward, in the hope of striking the Chobe.

It was much nearer to us in a northerly direction, but this we did not then know.