MY JOURNEY FROM KALACOON TO THE ORINOCO. 
By M. ‘icine C.M.G. 
On 19th December, 1887, I left my then residence Kalacoon on the Mazaruni 
River to ascend the Cuyuni and one o° its principal tributaries the Uruan up to 
Calao, Allegations had been made of damage to Ife and property of British 
subjects residing in the Yuruari District, the ownership of a part of which was 
then in dispute between Her Majesty’s Government and Venezuela. Mr. Hugh 
Watt, then a Member of Parliament, had made representation of these allegations 
to the Marquis of Salisbury, and acting on instructions received from him, I was 
ordered by the Governor Sir Henry Irving to proceed to the locality and make 
inquiry as to their validity. 
Thad been up the Uruan and its tributary the Yuruari in 1880. On that 
occasion I went in pursuit of some Venezuelans, who had raided an Indian 
Settlement on the Cuyuni and carried away all their cassava, and also their 
Canoes to avoid pursuit. I now think it is a lucky circumstance that I did not 
overtake these persons, as from what I have since learned of their character, I 
don’t think I should have survived the meeting. 
As from my former visit I knew of the difficulties to be met with in ascending 
the Uruan and Yuruari, where the falls and portages were numerous. Instead of 
one large boat that would accommodate my whole party I took two small ones ; 
the boats were manned by Indians,—16 all told. It may not be so convenient te 
travel in small boats, but where Falls and portages are many and time an object, 
two or more small boats—according to the size of the party, are best. In difficult 
places by concentrating the crews the boats are got through or over quicker and 
easier. While paddling too, a certain amount of competition among the crews 
ensues ; these circumstances, together with the fact, that in case of accident 
it is not likely that all the boats may be lost or seriously damaged, makes it, in my 
opinion always best for speed and safety to use small boats. 
Rain fell daily after leaving Kalacoon. Christmas day was spent in Camp 
above the Wakuywang Falls. Game and Fish were plentiful, and whatever 
else may have been lacking there was no scarcity of food. 
Beyond the usual difficulties of getting over Falls and Rapids no events of 
any importance occurred until the afternoon of 28th December when I met a 
coloured man, a native of Trinidad, who told me he had been at Callao ten or 
twelve days previous, and that there was great excitement there as the rumour 
was prevalent all over the Town that the English were coming to assume posses- 
sion of that part of the Country. 
At a little past midday on 5th January, 1888, I arrived at the mouth of the 
Urnan and camped there Lat. (6-42-48). Here I was informed by some Indians 
and half breeds that owing to the water being still very low in the Yuruari, my 
batteaux would not be able to go up it, and that I would have to get woodskins 
