basket-like contrivances
were thus made, each large enough to carry two men, with whom they would
sink in the water as deep as the waist. Piperies, Lussan called them, but
his description does not make it clear just what they were like.

While thus engaged, the freebooters killed part of their horses, and
salted their flesh for food, all the work being done with the energy and
activity necessary in their critical situation. During it they were not
molested by the Spaniards, but no one could tell how soon they might be.
When all was ready they restored their prisoners to the liberty of which
they had long been deprived, and entered upon one of the most perilous
examples of navigation that can well be imagined.

Launched in their piperies, the freebooters found themselves tossed about
by the impetuous current, and speedily covered with spray. The lightness
of their floating baskets kept them from sinking, but the energetic
efforts they were obliged to make to keep from being thrown out or dashed
on the rocks soon exhausted them. A short experience taught them the
necessity of fastening themselves in the piperies, so that their hands
might be free to keep them from being hurled on the rocks. Occasionally
their frail crafts were overturned or buried under the waves in the swift
rapids, and the inmates were either drowned or escaped by abandoning the
treasures which weighed them down.

Whatever else may be said of this method of navigation, it proved a rapid
one, the frail barks being hurried on at an impetuous speed. Each of the
cataracts was preceded by a basin of still water, and here it became
necessary to swim to the shore and descend the rocks to the bottom of the
fall. Some who remained behind threw the piperies into the stream to be
carried over the liquid precipice, and recovered by swimming out to meet
them, or replaced by new ones when lost.

After three days of this singular navigation it was decided, in view of
the fact that the piperies were often dashed together to their mutual
injury, to separate and keep at a distance from each other, those who went
first marking out by small flags where it was necessary to land. During
their progress the question of food again became prominent, the salted
horsemeat they had brought with them being spoiled by its frequent
wetting. Game was plentiful, but their powder was all spoiled, and the
only food to be found was the fruit of the banana-tree, which grew
abundantly on