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tioned, we perceived, that in it's upper part it 

 formed small nooks, where the water was still 

 and limpid. We had the pleasure of bathing 

 tranquilly amid the noise of the cataract, and the 

 cries of our Indians. I enter into these minute 

 details, because^ while they furnish a lively picture 

 of our manner of travelling, they remind those 

 who wish to undertake distant journeys, that 

 in every situation of life some enjoyments may 

 be obtained. 



After an hour of expectation, w r e at length saw 

 the boat arrive above the raudal. We reem- 

 barked our instruments and provision, and has- 

 tened to quit the rock of Guahibos. There 

 began a navigation, which was not exempt from 

 danger. The river is eight hundred toises broad, 

 and must be crossed obliquely, above the cata- 

 ract, at the point where the waters, led by the 

 slope of their bed, rush with extreme violence 

 toward the dam, from which they are precipi- 

 tated. We were surprised by a storm, accom- 

 panied happily by no wind, but the rain fell in 

 torrents. After rowing for twenty minutes, the 

 pilot declared, that, far from gaining upon the 

 current, we again approached the raudal. These 

 moments of uncertainty appeared to us very 

 long; the Indians spoke only in whispers, as 

 they do always when they think their situation 

 perilous. They redoubled their efforts, and we 



