214 



WANDERINGS IN 



Third across the rivei'. In the rainy season these rocks are for 



Journey. 



the most part under water ; but it being now dry weather, 



we had a fine view of them, while tlie water from the 

 river above them rushed through the different openings in 

 majestic grandeur. Here, on a Uttle hill, jutting out into 

 the river, stands the house of Mrs. Peterson, the last 

 house of people of colour up this river ; I hired a negro 

 from her, and a coloured man, who pretended that they 

 knew the haunts of the Cayman, and understood every 

 thing about taking him. We were a day in passing these 

 falls and rapids, celebrated for the Pacou, the richest 

 and most delicious fish in Guiana. The coloured man 

 was now in his element ; he stood in the head of the 

 canoe, and with his bow and arrow shot the Pacou as 

 they were swimming in the stream. The arrow had 

 scarcely left the bow before he had plunged headlong 

 into the river, and seized the fish as it was struggling 

 with it. He dived and swam like an otter, and rarely 

 missed the fish he aimed at. 



Did my pen, gentle reader, possess descriptive powers, 

 I would here give thee an idea of the enchanting scenery 

 of the Essequibo ; but that not being the case, thou 

 must be contented with a moderate and well-intended 

 attempt. 



oenery. Nothing could be more lovely than the appearance of 

 the forest on each side of this noble river. Hills rose on 

 hills in fine gradation, all covered with trees of gigantic 



