as too early in the
day we reluctantly went on in a north-westerly direction, first for 4
kil., then north-east for 5 kil., passing through a large basin 300 m.
wide, containing two islets, then passing charming sand-beaches, and
farther on another tributary, 8 m. wide, on the left of us, also with
deliciously clear water. When we proceeded on our journey after lunch we
found big rocks more frequent in the stream, and went over a field of
great boulders just under the surface of the water that stretched
half-way across the shallow river.

Eight kilometres from our halting-place we came to an extensive stony
place with a strong rapid. One kilometre beyond, a small tributary flowed
into the Arinos from the left side. On the left side we had a red and
brilliant yellow bank 70 ft. high, part of a small range of hills which
turned the river from N.N.W. to N.N.E. Another small tributary 2 m. wide
was seen on the left side. Then, 4 kil. farther on, another tributary,
also 2 m. wide, and also on the left side, came from the south-west.
Three thousand six hundred metres beyond this, we entered a basin 320 m.
wide with an island 150 m. long, including its gravel spit. Three more
islands were seen a little way beyond--Meraud, Tanis, and Loel Islands,
Meraud being the largest. Another island was on the left of the river,
leaving a passage 50 m. wide on its west side. The group of islands was
of alluvial formation with deposits of gravel below.

The river in that region was too beautiful for words. The foliage of the
thick heavy forest on both sides was densely green, the banks most tidy,
and running in an almost straight line for 10,000 m. During all that
distance the stream was 300 m. wide, and its speckless water reflected
with marvellous definition each leaf and branch against the background of
deep green. Neat gravel banks occurred frequently in the shallow water.

Some 300 m. down this long straight stretch of river a tributary 8 m.
wide, coming from 210 deg. b.m., threw itself into the Arinos. Strong eddies
were formed, as many rocks were strewn in the centre of the stream.

One kilometre farther a conglomerate mass of granite and yellow and red
lava, with impurities embedded in it, emerged just above the water in the
centre of the stream.

Another streamlet, 2 m. wide, and of wonderfully limpid water, joined the
Arinos on the right side. It came from the north-east. Then another
little streamlet was seen on the left side