CHAPTER V.
OUR WESTERN BOUNDARY.
An
early start—Our escort—Something about the Korumbers— Majestic timber—"
Wait-a-bits," and an experience of their power—A formidable
descent—Clumps of bamboos—A village of wild men—Another river—Signs of
gold—A forest breakfast —Butterflies—A late return—Reefs hidden in the
forest.
I have already
mentioned that the Grlenrock Valley comprises ahout 3100 acres of
surface, barely one-third of which has yet been explored. The
unexplored portion consists mainly of heavy forest and thick jungle.
One of the most arduous expeditions I undertook during my visit was
when, in company with Messrs. Pinching and Ryan, I visited the extreme
western boundary of the estate.
"We
started from Mango-Tree Bungalow at half-past five in the morning,
taking with us a couple of coolies to carry our breakfast. Our route
was over the ground described in the preceding chapter as leading to
the reduction works. But when this spot was reached, we started through
a belt of forest, till we came to the lowest portion of the coffee
planta-
