The Gold Industry in Guiana. 93 
same evening, he picks up the amalgam and again laughs 
at the manager. These and sundry other tricks go on, 
and the opinion is that gold does not pay. 
Since January, 1887, the Government charge a royalty 
on gold under rules laid down, at 5°/ , but in nearly all 
cases 7°/ is taken ; and the chance of smuggling is re- 
duced. Still, for all this, gold is smuggled, and finds its 
way to town by various means of transit. 
Generally after three months the party packs up and 
starts for town ; and here, as in our case, the fun begins. 
To one who can drink deep of nature's draught, it is a 
glorious life : the thrilling excitement of shooting the 
rapids, the glorious uncertainty of going over the falls, 
all tend to cause forgetfulness of self. 
The falls are in sight ! The boat nears them ! Captain 
and bowman are on the alert. Instru6lions are given by 
the captain, and the lives of all are in the hands of the 
bowman. One second of indecision, one second of uncer- 
tainty, and in a moment all is over. The bowman kneels 
or stands in the bow, the captain standing or kneeling 
also. The boat touches the top of the falls ; all hands 
pull the paddles for dear life. The boat seems as though it 
must strike on a rock ! Our hearts jump to our mouths ! 
The bowman gives a turn of his wrist and rushes us 
safely past the rock ; and we breathe freely again, 
awaiting our destiny at the next falls. Should the boat 
strike at all, it is shivered ; and the safest plan then for 
the occupants is to dive, for the water below is com- 
paratively smooth. Sometimes, from such accidents, it 
happens that one man is left alone on a rock in the 
middle of the falls, and he has to stand his chance of 
being picked up, or of swimming for it. 
