Vm ITINERARY. 



Up to the present the gold-industry lias done no good to the Colony, 

 the majority of people having used any spare cash tiiey had in sending 

 np prospecting parties, very few of Avhich paid their way ; but 

 although this money was lost by those who were anxiovis to be first 

 in the field, others who come after will realize some benefit from the 

 knowledge which has been gained by those first and generally un- 

 fortunate prospections. 



The following day we came to Kobanatuk and Pakatuk, a long series 

 of rapids extending over about four miles. The Gold Oflicer at Tuma- 

 tumari kindly lent ns a boat which he had lying above these falls, 

 and had it not been for this, with the river in its swollen state, we 

 shoidd have been compelled to portage the 'Victoria' overland for 

 the whole of this distance, which would have meant a delay of at 

 • least two days. 



We next had to carry the boat round the Amatuk Falls for a 

 distance of 440 yards ; this portage made really hard work for over 

 two hours. There was a steep hill to be tackled, with a cascade to be 

 bridged over at the top ; the strain on the boat was very severe, and 

 we were an hour caulking her before she was fit to be put in the 

 Avater again. 



It was from just above these falls that the first view of Kaieteur was 

 obtained. Away in the distance the upper part was visible for a few 

 moments until a bend in the river obstructed the view. The scenery 

 on all sides is magnificent, hills some 2000 feet in height, covered with 

 dense bush, rise almost from the water's edge. One large square hill 

 with almost perpendicular sides, reminded us of an old castle over- 

 grown Avith ivy, large patches of rock showing throiagh the green, 

 and rounded turret-like corners making the illusion more complete. 



Passing the Waratuk rapids we soon reached the foot of Tukeit 

 Fall, which was to be our starting-point for Kaieteur. From the 

 spot on which our camp was pitched we could see the fall and 

 rapid just above us, and on the opposite bank a cascade, 200 feet 

 in height, pouring down the mountain-side, between a dense growth 

 of palms and forest-ti-ees, while in the foreground ran the dark water 

 of Potarowith long lines of white foam from the falls. Our tarpaulins 

 stretched between the trees, and the figures of the Indians, in their 

 hammocks or moving round the fires as the darkness came on, made 

 a picture interesting and almost weii'd to one unaccustomed to bush- 

 life. 



The morning following, the 18tli day after leaving Bartiea Grove, 

 we started for the fall. The path, after crossing a swiftly running 

 stream, ascended the mountain, getting steeper and steeper as we 

 advanced until the angle could not have been less than 60° — very 

 trying to our legs after our boat-journey. At last we reached the top 

 and found ourselves clear of the forest on a large plateau of conglo- 

 merate, hard as concrete, with large patches of Brocchinea cordylinoides 

 growing everywhere — this plant, the leaves of which are 8 to 10 feet 

 in length, being the most noticeable growth of any size on this part 

 of the plateau. 



After a short walk down a slight incline and cutting our way through 

 the Brocchinea we ai-rived at the edge of the amphitheatre, which 



