In these days when there is so much endeavor which seems to be for the acclaim of the crowds and the deification of self, it is refreshing to meet one who seems to be in it for the love of the work and the good which he may open up for others in the field of exploration.
William J. LaVarre was born in Richmond, Va., August 4, 1898. His love for the outdoors was demonstrated early, for he camped in the open at the age of ten and as a boy scout a few years later won a contest for leadership of the Honor Patrol of the New York City organization of the Boy Scouts of America. He also won sixteen merit badges in the same scout order. He was one of twenty-four scouts chosen from the East to build a trail in Maine for the Forestry Department of the United States in 1914.
He has specialized in Geology and Mineralogy and shown considerable skill in the use of the camera. He is now in the field as scientific assistant and photographer of the Rice Amazon Expedition. His diamond hunting trip was a success.
We look forward to his return from the Amazon with an interesting experience and a successful exploration.
Anthony Fiala
August 11, 1919.
CONTENTS
| PAGE | |
| [CHAPTER I] | |
| “Are You Game to Try It?” | 1 |
| [CHAPTER II] | |
| “In the Land o’ Mazaruni” | 7 |
| [CHAPTER III] | |
| A Fire Boat and a Native Wedding | 14 |
| [CHAPTER IV] | |
| Jungle Days Begin | 18 |
| [CHAPTER V] | |
| Getting Acquainted with the Natives | 22 |
| [CHAPTER VI] | |
| Life on the River | 29 |
| [CHAPTER VII] | |
| Mutiny Among the Crew | 34 |
| [CHAPTER VIII] | |
| The Glorious Fourth | 39 |
| [CHAPTER IX] | |
| Baboon for Dinner | 43 |
| [CHAPTER X] | |
| In the Indian Country | 48 |
| [CHAPTER XI] | |
| “Uncivilized,” but Courteous, Quiet and Clean | 56 |
| [CHAPTER XII] | |
| A Visit to a Native Home | 62 |
| [CHAPTER XIII] | |
| The Snake that Disappeared | 68 |
| [CHAPTER XIV] | |
| Difficulties of Jungle Travel | 72 |
| [CHAPTER XV] | |
| Hospitality of the Jungle Folk | 82 |
| [CHAPTER XVI] | |
| Cassava Cakes and Blow-pipes | 93 |
| [CHAPTER XVII] | |
| On the March Again | 101 |
| [CHAPTER XVIII] | |
| Arrival at the Diamond Fields | 107 |
| [CHAPTER XIX] | |
| How the Natives Hunt and Fish | 113 |
| [CHAPTER XX] | |
| Picking up Jungle Lore | 121 |
| [CHAPTER XXI] | |
| The First Diamond! | 128 |
| [CHAPTER XXII] | |
| How the Precious Stones are Found | 133 |
| [CHAPTER XXIII] | |
| Good-bye to the Jungle | 137 |