ITINEEARY, vH 



become of Quelcli was our greatest trouble. Several possibilities sug- 

 gested themselves — he might be ill, the boat might have upset with 

 all our belongings, or he might have lookeil for us higher up or lower 

 clown the river and, not finding us, returned to Bartica ; but after two 

 days' anxiety Lloyd arrived in the small boat, having been sent on 

 ahead by Qaelch to let us know he was coming on slowly. He arrived 

 the next evening, having found the water much heavier th;in he 

 expected, and having been also delnyed by one of the mission boats, 

 which leaked so badly that half a working day Avas spent in caulking 

 her ; she then ujsset while being haided up one of the rapids, losing 

 her paddles and one or two small items — fortunately all her cnrgo had 

 been taken out to lighten her at the foot of the rapid, to no real haim 

 was done. 



We started early the next morning, and crossing the river met the 

 other boats, which were waiting for us. 



Camping-grounds wei-e very scarce, and we had great difficulty in 

 finding a convenient spot. H'gh land was always chosen, but now all 

 the usual camps made by gold-diggers on their way to the Potai'o Avere 

 under water, in some cases only the old lidge-poles, over which a 

 tarpaulin had been thrown, lemained in sight. On the second m'ght 

 we camped opposite the Potaro mouth, and reached the mission at 

 Waraputa early the next afternoon. 



On the following day, having lightened the ' Victoria,' we started 

 with thirteen paddlers, captain, and bowman for the Kaieteur Falls on 

 the Potaro. About six miles up the river we came to the Tumatumari 

 Falls, round which the boat had to be hauled. In dry weather this 

 fall is some thirty feet in height, but on this occasion the Essequibo 

 had dammed back the water to such an extent that the diop was not 

 more than ten feet, 



A few miles above this is the Potaro landing ; nearly all the richest 

 gold-placers are in this district, and are practically all on the INFahdia 

 creek, which runs into the Potaro above the next set of rapids; the 

 store-houses for these placers aie erected at this spot, the Potaro 

 landing, and form quite a large settlement, almost equalling Bartica 

 Ciove in the number of sheds and store-houses, which are all roofed 

 with bright i-ed neponset, making an effect against the greenheart 

 rising on the hill at the back which is very picturesque. 



Although gold had been found for some time previously, it was not 

 until 1884: that it was recognized by the general public and the 

 CJovernment that there was anything in it, and that it was worth 

 looking after; but about this time they both seome<l to realize the 

 fact —the one by spending its money in prospections, the other by 

 levying a royalty. 



The rapi<l way in which the industry developed will be seen from 

 the f(dlo\ving figures, which show tliu umount of gold passeil through 

 the various gold offices: — 



14,r,70oz. 1H9'2. 129,r)l.'5oz. 



2H,2K2 „ 1H'.):5. 1 12,788 „ 



02,(515 „ 

 iOl,29H „ 



1884. 



2.50 oz. 



1888. 



I88r>. 



939 „ 



1889. 



1,S8G. 



Of) 1 8 „ 



1890. 



1887. 



11,90(5 „ 



1891, 



