460 TROPICAL WILD LIFE IN BRITISH GUIANA 



before the rains January to May boats go up full, with 

 laborers and provisions, and often return empty. At such 

 times it is possible to send down packages from Rapo-nunni 

 Mouth. The boats of the two Missions might, also, render 

 some services, when running, which is not often. It might 

 be found advisable to hire a boat for the whole period, for 

 crews for the down-trips can be collected upon the savannahs. 

 Some might prefer to buy a new boat, fitted according to 

 requirements. The cost would vary from $130 to $180, com- 

 plete, with fittings. Through the Protector of Indians it 

 would be possible to procure a crew, with captain and bow- 

 man, from the savannahs. These Indians would scatter to 

 their homes, upon arrival; they need not be maintained nor 

 paid during the following months ; and they, or others, would 

 be available when it was desired to send the boat down again. 

 To take a crew from Town would entail much more expense, 

 and would be less satisfactory. Incidentally, the Indians 

 can hunt and fish, on the way up, and can procure a needed 

 change of diet. From Potaro Mouth to Sipruni Mouth 

 occupied us just a week. Another week had fled when we 

 reached Inkapati, not far from the confluence of the Rapo- 

 nunni and Essequibo. To the Mission Landing from Inka- 

 pati may be anything from six to nine days, according to the 

 state of the river. We took exactly a month from George- 

 town to the Mission, in October, 1913. The journey up the 

 Essequibo is made over many rapids and falls. It is ardu- 

 ous and dangerous. The traveler is probably more inter- 

 ested in the experiences and delighted with the scenery than 

 oppressed by a sense of danger. At Rewa Mouth, the ka- 

 bouri flies begin to be troublesome, and a supply of citronella 

 oil, for anointing the exposed parts of the body, will be 

 appreciated. 



A portable motor can be used over two stretches, be- 

 tween the rapids, on the Essequibo, and, unless the river is 

 very low, it will serve from the Mouth up to the Landing. 

 The usual means of propulsion is the paddle. Where the 



