ACROSS UNKNOWN SOUTH AMERICA 
long tail of rocks followed, and the channel was strewn 
with dangerous rocks. 
What must have been formerly an immense island 
which had become cut up into three was now on the left of 
us, as we followed the central channel in an easterly direc¬ 
tion. The first of these was comparatively small: the 
next, Tristan Island, was 1,500 metres long; the third, 
Isolda Island, 1,000 metres long. All were of extraordi¬ 
nary beauty. Rubber trees were to be seen, but not in 
such great numbers as we had found farther up the stream. 
Evidently the soil was somewhat too rocky and not 
sufficiently moist for their healthy growth. 
From due east the river suddenly turned to due north, 
diverted by the great rib of rock which had formerly made 
part of the hill range we had now on our right. We had 
a good deal of trouble here, as difficult rapids were 
encountered, and sharp, cutting rocks, collision with which 
would have been fatal for us. Our canoe, after the many 
bumps we had already experienced, gave alarming signs 
that she might split in two longitudinally at any moment. 
For 5,000 metres the river flowed in a northerly direction. 
Great domes of granite and immense boulders were 
scattered near the left bank, and rocks of all sizes and 
shapes emerged from the water all over the basin, which 
was 600 metres across. Another barrier of rock stretched 
from northeast to southeast and formed a high drop in 
the river. We had to unload the canoe once more upon 
some rocks in mid-stream, then let her gently down the 
step of foaming waters by ropes. We were then in a 
magnificent basin, 1,000 metres wide, with a great cluster 
of impressive rocks on the right side, in front of two en- 
chantingly beautiful islands, Melisande Island, 400 metres 
long, Pelleas Island, 700 metres long, on the left. 
Whenever I was gazing enraptured at the heavenly 
scenery Alcides always managed to send the canoe on to 
some rock, which quickly brought me back, not to earth 
140 
