60 
Another Artist. 
m short, everything had combined to make me forget that under a foreign 
sky and among comparative strangers, 1 had overcome a disease >\ liich 
only a few, attacked to the extent that 1 was, had been able to survive. 
1 IMP. My illness had made many a heart quake, but particularly that 
jf Mr. Walton the draughtsman of the Expedition. Hardly had he learnt 
that 1 was dow n with yellow fever than he very hastily exchanged home 
and city for a remotely situate plantation. But as his residence here also 
could not protect him from slight climatic fever his well-contrived, cal- 
culating caution replaced his former rash enthusiasm for , travel, with the 
result that, what with the many rumours spread concerning dangers 
threatening our Expedition, he made up his mind to return as quickly as 
possible to England where he would be safe from perils and yellow fever, 
ilis determination was tixed and my brother's persuasive powers that he 
should postpone the delivery of his already written resignation to the 
Governor proved of no avail. Although Kis Excellency was not quite 
satisfied as to the urgency of his return and did not want to let him go 
under any consideration but particularly because our preparations were 
visibly nearing completion at a very early date, my brother managed to 
arrange that the matter be left in the hands of a Medical Board. This 
fortunately decided that M r. Walton could not accompany the expedition 
without danger to life, and thus he parted from us without having seen 
realised his fantastic dreams of the sylvan scenery of a tropical virgin 
forest. During his stay Mr. Walton had only painted one single small 
landscape, which however cost the Colonial Department more than £300 
it having very generously paid his passage out and home, together with 
his stipulated salary up to the time of his arrival in England. 
211. Months must necessarily pass before another artist could be 
despatched from England, and the Expedition would have had to leave 
without one had not a young doctor of the Colonial Hospital, Mr. Echlin, 
who was at the same time a skilful draughtsman, readily offered his ser- 
vices to accompany us into the interior, not only as artist but also as 
medical officer, until the gentleman requisitioned for should arrive from 
London. 
212. It would be about another four weeks before we could leave for 
the mouth of the Orinoco. Before getting ill 1 had already received the 
most pressing invitations not only from our gallant countryman, Mr.. 
Bach, but also from the owner of one of the largest sugar estates (Zee- 
landia) on Wakenaam Island at the Essequibo mouth, Mr. Arrindell* 
and his sweet wife, to come and spend a time with them. My illness had 
so far prevented me accepting, but now the doctors themselves insisted 
upon my leaving the city until the expedition was ready to start so that 
I might join it in perfect health and strength. However gladly I would 
have hurried off to Mr. Bach, Zeelandia was nevertheless recommended 
as the healthier spot, and I had to follow their advice. 
213. The estate's schooner which came to the city twice weekly offer- 
ed me a quick passage to Zeelandia where I was affectionately and heart- 
ily received by Mr. Arrindell's equally charming family — Mrs. Arrindell 
1 He defended Rev. John Smith after the East Coast Slave Insurrection, and lived to become Chief 
Justice, and be Knighted, (J R ) 
