The Devil-Tree of El Dorado: A Novel. Aubrey Frank

then Roraima has been visited by two or three other travellers; but their accounts have added little to our knowledge. They entirely confirm Mr. Brown’s statements as to its inaccessibility. (See Preface.)

      5

      This article appeared in the Spectator of April 1877.

      6

      This strange cry is often heard in the depths of the forests in this region, and has never been accounted for, the only explanation given by the Indians being the one stated above, viz., that it is ‘the cry of a Lost Soul.’ It is alluded to by the American poet, Whittier, in the following lines: —

      “In that black forest where, when day is done,

*****

      Darkly from sunset to the rising sun,

      A cry as of the pained heart of the wood,

      The long despairing moan of solitude

      And darkness and the absence of all good,

      Startles the traveller with a sound so drear,

      So full of hopeless agony and fear,

      His heart stands still, and listens with his ear.

      – The guide, as if he heard a death-bell toll,

      Crosses himself, and whispers, ‘A Lost Soul!’”

      7

      A vivid account of an adventure with these formidable animals will be found in Mr. Barrington Brown’s ‘Canoe and Camp Life in British Guiana,’ page 71. Very little is known about them, but they are believed to have their haunts in the unexplored mountain districts, from which they occasionally descend into other parts. Mr. Brown states that the Indians fear them above everything; and, while comparatively brave as regards jaguars and tiger-cats of all kinds, give way to utter panic at the mere idea that ‘Warracaba tigers’ are in their neighbourhood. It is said that nothing stops or frightens them except a broad stream of water – not even fire.

      8

      A very interesting account of the South American puma will be found in ‘The Naturalist in La Plata,’ by Mr. W. H. Hudson. He states th

1

The Indians of British Guiana pronounce this word Roreema.

2

Mr. Barrington Brown says the mountain can only be ascended by means of balloons (see article previously referred to on page 3); and Mr. Boddam-Whetham came to the same conclusion.

3

The Indians of British Guiana pronounce this word Roreema.

4

Since then Roraima has been visited by two or three other travellers; but their accounts have added little to our knowledge. They entirely confirm Mr. Brown’s statements as to its inaccessibility. (See Preface.)

5

This article appeared in the Spectator of April 1877.

6

This strange cry is often heard in the depths of the forests in this region, and has never been accounted for, the only explanation given by the Indians being the one stated above, viz., that it is ‘the cry of a Lost Soul.’ It is alluded to by the American poet, Whittier, in the following lines: —

“In that black forest where, when day is done,*****Darkly from sunset to the rising sun,A cry as of the pained heart of the wood,The long despairing moan of solitudeAnd darkness and the absence of all good,Startles the traveller with a sound so drear,So full of hopeless agony and fear,His heart stands still, and listens with his ear.– The guide, as if he heard a death-bell toll,Crosses himself, and whispers, ‘A Lost Soul!’”

7

A vivid account of an adventure with these formidable animals will be found in Mr. Barrington Brown’s ‘Canoe and Camp Life in British Guiana,’ page 71. Very little is known about them, but they are believed to have their haunts in the unexplored mountain districts, from which they occasionally descend into other parts. Mr. Brown states that the Indians fear them above everything; and, while comparatively brave as regards jaguars and tiger-cats of all kinds, give way to utter panic at the mere idea that ‘Warracaba tigers’ are in their neighbourhood. It is said that nothing stops or frightens them except a broad stream of water – not even fire.

8

A very interesting account of the South American puma will be found in ‘The Naturalist in La Plata,’ by Mr. W. H. Hudson. He states that the puma has a strange natural liking for, or sympathy with, man; that, though ferocious and bloodthirsty in the extreme as regards other animals, yet it never attacks man, woman, or child, awake or asleep. He quotes many authorities, and gives numerous instances, of a very remarkable character, from the accounts of hunters and others whom he has himself seen and questioned.

9

See extract given in the preface (page viii.) from Richard Schomburgk’s book ‘Reissen in Britisch Guiana.’