The Latest Journey to Roravma. 15 
The Indian messengers returned on the 21st with a party of eleven Chena- 
powu natives, and, better still, with a ballyhoo, which was very old, but none 
theless serviceable. Shy and reticent at first, the Indians (Plate 2) soonrespond- 
ed to advances, and by the 28th, when all the goods were brought up, cordial 
relations had been established. Dr. Lutz, who had remained below to study 
the Tukeit region in detail, came up with the last carriers to occupy the camp, 
and to make a close comparative study of the savannahs and forests of the 
Kaieteur Plateau, while the writer pushed on to Brazil in the hope of reaching 
Roraima. It is true the attempt seemed foolhardy in view of the short time 
available and the arduous nature of the journey beyond. But it was thought 
that at least the Brazilian savannahs could be gained and studied, while 
chance might favour the successful accomplishment of the whole journey. 
Accordingly on the 28th of July farewells were said, the ballahoo, corials and 
woodskins were loaded with provisions and human freight, and off we went. 
But I was not destined to reach ‘‘ Holmia.’’ within the expected time, owing 
to the heavy rains of the preceding days and the consequently swift current of 
the Potaro. The evening camp had to be made a little short of the Wamamuri, 
but well beyond the Muremure (not Wuremure). Yet good fortune awaited 
me in the form of a hunting party of Bucks from the region of the Ireng River 
who had shot a tapir the day before, although the animal had fallen into the 
water and had been lost. Five natives of the party were immediately added 
to the expedition. A hard day’s paddling brought us the next evening to the 
neighbourhood of the Kwitaru Creek mouth, and near this point the missing 
tapir was discovered floating in the water, to the joy of all concerned. I 
must confess that my own pleasure was somewhat vicarious, for the novel 
odours incidental to the night-long babricotting of water-soaked ‘“ maipuri ” 
were not particularly comforting to the neophyte. But all bushmen know that 
the health and well-being of one’s natives are indispensable to one’s own. At 
length, late in the afternoon of July 30, we arrived at Chenapowu and 
established ourselves in the fast-decaying house built by Dr. Bovallius. The 
river travelling was over for the time, and now imagination ran ahead along 
the distant way through the forests and across the savannahs to Roraima,— 
a way that had to be traversed entirely on foot. One day’s halt was necessary 
for the organisation of the provision loads and for the engagement of additional 
bearers ; then, on August Ist, the line of twenty-six natives filed off into the 
forest and over the divide to the lower Wung (not Wong) River. The steep 
climb was so severe that camp had to be made at Tururaparu. 
Of the succeeding days it is difficult to write with moderation. Incessant 
rains were collected upon the dense canopy of the tree-tops, to pour almost 
in rivulets upon the matted roots of the forest floor, over which the traveller 
stumbles in the reduced light until every muscle aches and further progress 
seems well-nigh impossible. When camp is pitched it must sometimes be 
made in a place where the ground is covered with several inches of mud, so that 
comfort seems far off and unattainable. The racking pains of rheumatism 
and neuralgia are superadded, and life is black indeed,—the quest seems hope- 
less. If one does not count such experiences among his own, let him read Sir 
