SOUTH AMERICA. 
203 
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 en¬ 
chanting scenery of the Essequibo; but that not 
being the case, thou must be contented with a mode¬ 
rate and well-intended attempt. 
Nothing could be more lovely than the appear¬ 
ance of the forest on each side of this noble river. 
Hills rose on hills in fine gradation, all covered with 
trees of gigantic height and size. Here their leaves 
were of a lively purple, and there of the deepest 
green. Sometimes the Caracara extended its scarlet 
blossoms from branch to branch, and gave the tree 
the appearance as though it had been hung with 
garlands. 
This delightful scenery of the Essequibo made the 
soul overflow with joy, and caused you to rove in 
fancy through fairy-land; till, on turning an angle 
of the river, you were recalled to more sober reflec- 
THIRD 
JOURNEY. 
Scenery. 
