OUTFIT FOR TRAVELLING 345 



In view of the above facts the explorer-traveller is advised to 

 take with him the North American canoe if he intends serious 

 work. Two canoes would be a good arrangement for from five to 

 seven men, with at least one steersman and two paddlers to each 

 canoe. The canoes can be purchased in two sizes, and nested for 

 transportation, an arrangement which would save considerable 

 expense in freight bills. At least six paddles should be packed 

 with each boat, in length four and one-half, four and three-fourths, 

 and five feet. Other paddles, from six and one-half feet to eight 

 and one-half feet, should be provided for steering-oars. The native 

 paddler, after he has used the light Canadian paddle, prefers it to the 

 best native make. My own paddlers lost or broke all of their own 

 paddles so as to get the North American ones, which they marked 

 with their initials, and used most carefully. 



To each canoe it would be well to have two copper air-tanks 

 fitted, one fore, one aft, a hand-hole in each with a water-tight screw 

 cover on hatch. In these tanks could be kept a small supply of 

 matches, the chronometer or watch which is used for position, and 

 the scientific records and diary. Of course, the fact should be kept 

 in mind that these are air- tanks, not to be used so as to appreciably 

 diminish their buoyancy. Each canoe should also carry a small 

 repair kit, attached to one of the thwarts, containing cement, 

 a piece of canvas same as cover of canoe, copper tacks, rivets, and 

 some galvanized nails ; a good hatchet and a hammer ; a small 

 can of canoe-paint, spar varnish, and copper paint for worn places 

 would be a protection against termites and torrential downpours. 

 In concluding the subject of canoes I can state that the traveller 

 in South America will find no difiiculty in disposing of his craft at 

 the end of his trip. 



Motors. — We had with us a three and one-half horse-power 

 motor which could be attached to stem or gunwale of canoe or 

 boat. It was made by the Evinrude Motor Company, who had a 

 magneto placed .in the fly-wheel of the engine so that we never had 

 to resort to the battery to run the motor. Though the motor was 

 left out in the rain and sun, often without a cover, by careless 

 native help, it never failed us. We found it particularly valuable 

 in going against the strong current of the Sepotuba River where 

 several all-night trips were made up-stream, the motor attached 



