The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1888-04-25
UP THE 0RINOCO.

At 0 o'clock in the morning on the 9Th day
of September, in the year 1850, the steam
launch Naturalist began her ascent of the
Orinoco river. 1t was an exploring expedi-
ton fitted out by Redfol, the English natIr-
alist and taxidermist, and he had the full con-
sent OF the Venezuelan authorities to navi-
gate II possible to the head waters of the
stigam. Our party was composed Of Mr..
Redfol, an English sportsman named Grant,
q Scotch doctor end sportsman named
Mcdonald, two young men named Ward and
Baker, who We're assistants to the naturalist,
an engineer, a fireman, a cook, a steward,
two deck hands and myself. | was taken to
act as an interpreter, having passed several
years on tho coast and in the interior.
was also to assist the professor in securing
and caring for specimens, and in helping to
supply the party with fresh meat.
The launch had been built in England
especially for this trip She was fiat bot
toned, screw power and of light draught
Her engines were very powerful, and her
CRATES arranged for either coal or wood.
While room and comfort had been sacrificed
to secure strength. and power, our accom-
modations we're still ample and convenient
We had large supply of small arms and
ammunition, and two six Founders were
mounted on carriages SO as to be used at the
gangways. All the upper cabin windows
were provided with bullet proof shutters, and
the woodwork was strong and heavy. There
was no doubt that we should meet with hos
tile natives, and it was only common pru-
dence to be prepared for them.
The English brig Duke took the launch
fT a.,
up and fitted out, and it was from that island
we took our departure that September morn
ing, carrying as much coal as we could pos
sibly stow away. On the second day after
getting into the Orinoco we were beyond all
settlements, and although the stream is much
used by native boatmen, it was only at long
intervals that any craft came in sight There
is no river in the world, not even the Ganges,
which is more infested by crocodiles. We
saw them almost from the moment we en-
tered the stream, and every mile passed over
the number seemed to increase They were
so bold and numerous as to be serious
menace to the native craft, ard we had
been asked by government officials to kill
as many as possible. During the after
noon of the second day three of us killed with
our rifles at least fifty of the monsters. Wher-
ever there was sandy beach the reptiles
could be found by the dozen, and some of the
sand bars in the river were hidden from
sight by the scaly bodies The engines were
slowed down and the launch kept as near the
shore as safety would permit, and we were
often within pistol shot of orr targets. Few of
the erocodiles seemed alarmed at our appear
ance. and Soma came swin,ming ar FROM,
islands and sand bars to inspect us. have
seen the crocodiles of India and Africa. where
they are supposed TO attain their largest size.
but they cannot compare with those of the
Orinoce.4 About o'clock on the afternoon
of the second day, as we sweryed into the
mouth OF a creek on the right hand hanle IN
escape some driftwood coming down. every
one uttered an exclamation of astonishment
ut sight Of a monster saurian living among
the weeds He was. as all agreed. fnllv
TWENTY-FIVE feet long. and his bulk at tho
middle was that of horse. He lay with his
head away from us Mt first but on being
made aware Of our presence be whirled
about, opened his laws wide enough to take
in an oil barrel, and took his time about en-
tering tho water. Our astonishment at his
size was SO great that mono of us fired a shot.
After proceeding five miles further up tho
stream we crossed to the left bank, entered
tho mouth OF another creek, intending to
make our first excursion OH shore from this
spot. Several crocodiles followed in the wake
of the steamer and some OF the men declared
that the big fellow was among them. We
ran into the creek about four times our
length and made fast to a tree on shore. and
in a short time night shut down over the
forest.
Here WINS a great highway which had been
more or less navigated for a score of wears.
and along the banks of which were many set.
Elements, and yet the presence of man had
not made the slightest inroad into the wilder
ness and the savageness of nature Scarcely
had the darkness come down when we were
besieged on all sides. For tho mosouito nest
We were prenared Had we NOT been M man
could have lived mn hour. They came down
upon us in such swar1ns that man outside
OF shelter would have been eaten alive.
Every door and window was defended Lv
wire cloth, but the insects settled on the
glass outside and unon every obiect ON decl,
until it was hidden from sipbt. The croco-
dies came down the creel, mud IN from, tho
river in such numbers that the swell kicked
up kept the launch in motion. A. dozen times
over we felt their teeth taking hold of the
iron seraw and SHINING Off and n scanned nc
If men In nm omen boat would have stood no
show whatever against the monsters.
Night also brought ont n tfousand so,,nds
from the primevai forest around us. FROGS
birds and beetles raised frightful medley
and there were moments when all converse.
ton had to be suspended. We now HIGH
enough to be among the jap,uars and black
panthers, and the screams of these savage
beasts reached our ears before we turned in
to sleep Indeed, as we sat smoking in the
cabin after supper, we heard and felt an ami
NAL OF the cat tribe spring aboard and walk
back and forth over our heads. AS we were
entirely shut IN there was no danger to DO
feared The engineer yet had plenty OF
steam ana when no was communicated with
ne pew such blast on Inc whistle as startled
our visitor OUT Oh ms wits ana brought us
graveyard stiffness ior 1ne next man hour.
NeND morning Wniie the professor ana MS