Gentlemen Fooled by A Savage. 
839. In tlie course of our journey we did not fiud a trace of worked 
gold uor auy in a raw state: I liayc already spoken of the absolutely 
fruitless attempts of the Dutch. The total disappearance of the bits 
of metal might easily find an explanation in the intercourse that arose 
later on with the Europeans, though it still always remains a surprise 
to me that the source of origin of the metal has continued hidden. If 
Guiana possesses metalliferous stone it can only be found in the Paca- 
raima Ranges or in the environs of Roraima, ]>articularly towards the 
Cuyuui. 
840. >We still came across the carved animal-figured benches and 
stools mentioned by d'Aciiun, not only in this tribe but among the 
Arawaks. 
841. Before bringing this hasty sketch to a conclusion I must still 
add a few remarks about Mahanarva, the ("aziquc of the Caribs, mention- 
ed now and again in the course of my ti-avels, who even up to 1810 put the 
whole colony into a state of consternation and excitement. It was in 
Ulis year that Älahanarva, now so notorious, came down the Essequibo 
to Demerara along with several of his dependents to pay the Governor 
a visit and struck a note of alarm throughout the whole colony by his 
description of the extent of his tribe and thp unbridled courage of his 
innumerable warriors. The plan of the wily savage succeeded admirabl.v. 
The absolute ignoi'ance of the interiov of Guiana and the dread of the 
deprcflations of the Pa ribs whom the rolonists had learnt to recognise 
as the most dangerous enemy to their i)Vogress, caused the f'ourt of 
Policy to acce]it his emitty bragging as the truth and to agree willingly 
to the conditions offered them by him, to keep his wihl hordes at peace 
with the Colony. As a matter of fact Mahanarva punctnally o1i(\ved the 
invitation that was given him on his departure, to come back again the 
next year and fetch the stipulated trilmte again. The enhanced accounts 
of his ]iower to which he gave exitression on his secoii<l visit, induced 
the Governor to send a Commission to the country of this proud and 
nighty Cazique, and satisfy itself by direct enquiry as to his alleged 
influence. At the head of the cviicdition, which at the sauu' time was 
to go up the Rupununi to Fort Sao .Toaquim and enter into negotiations 
with the commandant concerning trade on the Rio Branco, was Dr. 
ITancock, a physician practising in Georgetown, the father of our 
companion. These were the first English and Du ich colonists who, sub- 
sequent to Hortsmann, whom Alexauder von ]Tuml»oldt mentions in his 
travels," virnted the interior of British Guiana. The expedition 
fortunately afforded results quite different to what were feared. 
]\rahanarva and his mighty crowd saidc down to the level that they were: 
gentlemen had let themselves lie fooled by a wily savage. The "Observa- 
tions on British Guiana" published by Dr. Hancock In 18.^.^> gave the first 
information concerning the interior of the country. 
842. In Arraia T learnt of another- plant which the inhnliitants use 
for poisoning the very numerous fish on the Pomeroon. It Avas the 
Clihadinm (ifiperiim DeO. of which they chopped the leaves into a pap 
* See Voyage an x Res;, Eqnin. fl\i \onv, Cont. Tom. VIIT hv. VTTT r-haji. XXIil page 
17. 
