the channel. Of
course he disobeyed. We were caught in the strong current. One moment
later there was a violent bump which knocked us all off our seats and
sent us sprawling in the bottom of the canoe. We had stuck fast between
two rocks. The canoe, being of such great length, vibrated to and fro
with the current forcing it at the side. Laden as she was with baggage,
in a few moments she became filled with water, and it was only after
working hard for the best part of an hour that we were able to extricate
ourselves from our position. We had hardly finished baling the water out
on resuming our course than, 1,500 m. farther, we came to more rapids,
then 700 m. beyond yet other rapids.

The forest was fairly thick all along on both banks, with innumerable
healthy rubber trees. Although the forest seemed impenetrable at first
sight, I always found that it was easy enough to go through it if one
knew how. Quite close to the water naturally the vegetation was somewhat
entangled. In many places were extensive patches of bamboos of
considerable height; but there is a way of disentangling the most
confused growth, if you happen to understand how those plants and liane
grow and get twisted. Any one with a keen sense of observation should
experience no difficulty whatever in going through the densest forest
anywhere in the world--even without using a knife--although, of course,
the latter is useful when you wish to keep up a certain speed in your
marching.

Eleven kilometres and a half from the last rapids--having travelled
north-west, south-west, east, and even due south, so winding was the
course of the river--we came to a tributary stream 10 m. wide, on the
left side of the Arinos. Eight kilometres farther we passed the
inlet--then dry--of a small lagoon fed by the stream. The river banks,
where eroded by the water, showed a lower layer of reddish-brown rock
with a bright red ferruginous stratum above it. The top layer, 10 ft.
thick, seemed formed of lime and alluvial deposits.

We emerged into a large basin 200 m. across, with a charming little
island in the centre forming two channels with fairly strong rapids. We
followed the channel on the right. At that point the river folded over
itself into a great elbow. A cliff, 120 ft. high, towered on one side in
brilliant red and yellow. The lower half of the strata was perfectly
horizontal; the upper half at an angle of 45 deg. to the lower. The vivid
colouring was intensified