Chapter I: Preface

“Lost on the Orinoco” is a complete tale in itself, but forms the first volume of the “Pan-American Series,” a line of books intended to embrace sight seeing and adventures in different portions of the three Americas, especially such portions as lie outside of the United States.

The writing of this series has been in the author’s mind for several years, for it seemed to him that here were many fields but little known and yet well worthy the attention of young people, and especially young men who in business matters may have to look beyond our own States for their opportunities. The great Pan-American Exhibition at Buffalo, N. Y. did much to open the eyes of many regarding Central and South America, but this exposition, large as it was, did not tell a hundredth part of the story. As one gentleman having a Venezuelan exhibit there expressed it: “To show up Venezuela properly, we should have to bring half of the Republic here.” And what is true of Venezuela is true of all the other countries.

In this story are related the sight seeing and adventures of five wide-awake American lads who visit Venezuela in company with their academy professor, a teacher who had in former years been a great traveler and hunter. The party sail from New York to La Guayra, visit Caracas, the capital, Macuto, the fashionable seaside resort, and other points of interest near by; then journey westward to the Gulf of Maracaibo and the immense lake of the same name; and at last find themselves on the waters of the mighty Orinoco, the second largest stream in South America, a body of water which maintains a width of three miles at a distance of over 600 miles from the ocean. Coffee and cocoa plantations are visited, as well as the wonderful gold and silver mines and the great _llanos_, or prairies, and the boys find time hanging anything but heavy on their hands. Occasionally they get into a difficulty of more or less importance, but in the end all goes well.

In the preparation of the historical portions of this book the very latest American, British and Spanish authorities have been consulted. Concerning the coffee, mining and other industries most of the information has come from those directly interested in these branches. This being so, it is hoped that the work will be found accurate and reliable as well as interesting.

Once more thanking the thousands who have read my previous books for the interest they have shown, I place this volume in their hands trusting it will fulfil their every expectation.

EDWARD STRATEMEYER.
April 1, 1902.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. THE BOYS TALK IT OVER 1

II. PREPARING FOR THE START 11

III. ON BOARD THE STEAMER 21

IV. VENEZUELA, PAST AND PRESENT 33

V. HOCKLEY MAKES A BOSOM FRIEND 42

VI. A PLAN THAT FAILED 54

VII. FROM CURAÇAO TO LA GUAYRA 63

VIII. ON A CLIFF AND UNDER 73

IX. HOCKLEY SHOWS HIS TRUE COLORS 81

X. ON MULE BACK INTO CARACAS 90

XI. THE PROFESSOR MEETS AN OLD FRIEND 100

XII. MARKEL AGAIN TO THE FRONT 109

XIII. A PLANTATION HOME IN VENEZUELA 119

XIV. A LOSS OF HONOR AND MONEY 131

XV. SOMETHING ABOUT COFFEE GROWING 143

XVI. DARRY’S WILD RIDE 151

XVII. A TALK ABOUT BEASTS AND SNAKES 159

XVIII. A BITTER DISCOVERY 168

XIX. BATHING AT MACUTO 177

XX. A SHORT VOYAGE WESTWARD 186

XXI. THE SQUALL ON LAKE MARACAIBO 196

XXII. PORT OF THE HAIR 205

XXIII. A STOP AT TRINIDAD 214

XXIV. UP THE RIVER TO BOLIVAR 224

XXV. SOMETHING ABOUT COCOA AND CHOCOLATE 234

XXVI. CAMPING ON THE UPPER ORINOCO 242

XXVII. BRINGING DOWN AN OCELOT 251

XXVIII. MONKEYS AND A CANOE 261

XXIX. LOST ON THE ORINOCO 270

XXX. IN THE DEPTHS OF THE JUNGLE 279

XXXI. HOCKLEY AND THE BOA-CONSTRICTOR 287

XXXII. A PEEP AT GOLD AND SILVER MINES 296

XXXIII. TOGETHER AGAIN--CONCLUSION 304

ILLUSTRATIONS

“Over it went, carrying the boys with it” (p. 297) _Frontispiece_

PAGE

“Stay where you are!” 47

A big mass of dirt came down 80

“I’ve got it,” he muttered 142

“You have some baggage, that bag. I shall hold it.” 173

“I heard something, what was it?” 203

“Take it off, do!” 249

“Help! Save me!” screamed the unfortunate youth 291

LOST ON THE ORINOCO