Fortunately, the situation did not last long. Further down the Congo the natives were not as "restless." Realizing they were soon nearing the mouth of the Congo and still over 1,000 feet above sea level Stanley knew he had to prepare for a great set of falls. He devised a system of safeguard for his boat by having men walk along the shore holding hawsers or ropes tied to the boat. When he finally reached the incredible falls, he was forced to move over land at the rate of 500 YARDS PER DAY. By the end of July, the boats had to be abandonned.