30 



WANDERINGS IN 



First 

 Journey. 



Face of the 

 country. 



Islands 



Falls and 

 rapids. 



idea, which the deep gloom had helped to collect there. 

 In coming out of the woods, you see the western bank of 

 the Essequibo before you, low and flat. Here the river 

 is two thirds as broad as the Demerara at Stabroek. 



To the northward there is a hill higher than any in the 

 Demerara ; and in the south-south-west quarter a moun- 

 tain. It is far away, and appears like a bluish cloud in 

 the horizon. There is not the least opening on either side. 

 Hills, vallies, and lowlands, are all linked together by a 

 chain of forest. Ascend the highest mountain, climb the 

 loftiest tree, as far as the eye can extend, which ever 

 way it directs itself, all is luxuriant and unbroken forest. 



In about nine or ten hours from this, you get to an 

 Indian habitation of three huts, on the point of an island. 

 It is said that a Dutch post once stood here. But there 

 is not the smallest vestige of it remaining, and, except 

 that the trees appear younger than those on the other 

 islands, which shows that the place has been cleared some 

 time or other, there is no mark left by which you can 

 conjecture that ever this was a post. 



The many islands which you meet with in the way, 

 enliven and change the scene, by the avenues which they 

 make, which look like the mouths of other rivers, and 

 break that long-extended sameness, which is seen in the 

 Demerara. 



Proceeding onwards, you get to the falls and rapids. 

 In the rainy season they are very tedious to pass, and 



