A WOMAN’S ORDEAL

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1930, Page 2

A WOMAN’S ORDEAL

five weeks in Unknown JUNGLE. Alone for five weeks iu-. the hitherto' unexplored jungle on the' banks of the Orinoco River, with only native women as servants and a revolver for protection against jaguars.

This was the experience of Mrs Dickey, who has returned to New York with her husband, Dr. Herbert Spencer Dickey, the explorer and lecturer on South America, from an expedition up the Orinoco (says Reuter). Dr. Dickey said his party pushed more than 150 CT miles up stream in a motor-boat until they reached a rock barrier 50 miles further than any white man had ever gone before. It was when the water in the river grew/shallow and progress through the rocks and logs became excessively difficult that Mrs Dickey decided to wait on the bank while her husband and the remainder of the party penetrated as far as they were able.

During the five weeks she was alone. Mrs Dickey collected many rare small animals and birds for the New York Zoological Society. In the course of their expedition, Dr. Dickey and his party made their contact with an ancient Indian race, the Guahnribos, who had been reported to be white in colour and ferocious, but who turned out to be yellow and mild. Dr. Dickey said these Indians were living completely naked in? »n unspoiled contentment in a stone apt.civilisation.

“I am convinced from my experience on the Orinoco.” said Dr. Dickey, “that the bad Indian is a dream. There is no such thing as a. bad Indian until the white man makes him so.” From the Guahnribos, Dr. Dickey learned of a race of White Indians further west, and Dr. Dickey intends to return in the spring and endeavour to find these rare people.