18 Timehri. 
almost in hand we climbed down from our vantage ground tothe slopes of our 
mountain-goal. An ant-bear was descried in the plain below, and, fortune 
favouring, a photograph was secured from a distance of 25 feet, when finally 
the animal took alarm and bolted, but was run down and killed. Trending 
westward, the path led past the southern slopes toward the village of 
Kamaiva-wong, which stands opposite the gap between Kukenaam and 
Roraima. But heavy rains caused us to stop and camp on the shores of the 
Kauwa Creek, although subsequently some of my Bucks pressed on to 
Kamaiva-wong to pass the night. 
Naturally it was gratifying to be at last at Roraima ; yet the feeling of satis- 
faction was not unmixed with apprehension, for food-supplies were far too short 
for safety, many were ill with influenza, everyone was weary, and the return 
journey had to be accomplished without a single hitch if we were to return 
safely to Georgetown. With great reluctance, therefore, the decision was 
made to return after only one day’s stay at the long-wished-for camp. 
The next morning, with four or five of my Ackawois, I walked the interven= 
ing mile or so to Kamaiva-wong, and was received almost with stony silence 
by Jeremiah and his tribe. (Plate 7.) Many incidents of this visit puzzled me 
at the time, but it was not until later that I learned their cause. Elder O. E. 
Davis had been* attacked near this village, and had died in the very banaboo 
before which I stood, and in whose door-way I changed the roll of my camera. 
Jeremiah stolidly stood by while I bartered for bows and arrows, baskets and 
blow-guns, and the cassava which was so much more necessary and desired. 
(Plate 8.) No word of the tragedy was told me as my interpreter was prohibited 
by Jeremiah, with threats, from doing so. Hence it was in entire ignorance of 
the precarious nature of the situation that the visit was made and photographs 
of the people were secured. (Plate 9.) In the afternoon studies were made 
on the upper slopes toward the cliffs, the evening meal was eaten, and we turned 
in, not without apprehension regarding the return journey which was to begin 
onthe morrow. The ascent could not be attempted for the reasons stated 
above ; while furthermore the top is so well known from the studies of Quelch 
and McConnell that it would have been unjustifiable to take the time of the 
survey to satisfy a purely personal ambition. 
Of the return journey, little need be said. Two days walking brought us 
back to Parmak. Four days more, on one of which no walking was done, 
found us again at Saveretik, where a day of rest was imperative as the Indians 
had begun to collapse owing to the rapid travelling. The distance to Chenapowu 
took less than three days, and the severe marching was over ;—more than a 
hundred miles had been accomplished in eight days of travelling, and in ten 
calendar days. The trip down the Potaro to Kaieteur took only one day and 
[ arrived there on August 25th, just four weeks from the day I had set out for 
* Nore : —Since this paper was wrilten it has been ascertained that there was no “attack,” 
or foul play of any kind whatsoever. Mr. Davis died a natural death The author 
has heard of this, and has sanctioned a note by the Editor based on the information to 
hand since the Author left the colony,—Eb. 
