(3 of 3)
Harold Elmer Anthony of the American Museum of Natural History is taking three airplanes to map the highlands between Mounts Duida and Roraima, Venezuela. His geologists think they will find gold in that district, perhaps diamonds.
Eldridge Reeves Fenimore Johnson,* chief backer of Captain Vladimir ("Vovo") Perfilieff's Matto Grosso expedition, was at Descalvados, their base camp, with a chartered Sikorsky amphibian last week. They will use the plane to scout for animals they wish to capture. Alexander Siemel, jaguar-spearer, was limping gingerly. An alligator chewed his leg in March. Two members of the party were back at their homes—John Newel, Augusta, Mich, radio and talkie man, weakened by sunstroke; and William E. Green, amateur taxidermist of Trenton. N. J., poisoned by bites of insects and the jararaca snake.
Hunting for Col. P. H. Fawcett, who disappeared in the Matto Grosso four years ago, has become almost a profession in itself. Alexander Siemel, now at the southwestern edge of the great forest, was a onetime Fawcett searcher. His onetime companions in the jungle were Mamerto Urriolagoitia. Bolivian consul general at London, and Julian Duguid (Green Hell). As soon as Consul Urriolagoitia gets his vacation from London this summer he will join Author Duguid for another search of the forest.
Los Gallitos (the cockerels)—George R. ("Tuck") Johnson, 30, Robert Shippe, 20, and their three young companions—are amazing Peruvians with their airplane jaunts over the Andean ridge. From a base at Lima they have air-photographed the mountain folds, Inca ruins, and near Huancayo "the Great Wall" of Peru. Last week they and their two planes were at Arequipa, whence they will try to reach Lake Titicaca.
*Son of Eldridge Reeves Johnson, founder of Victor Talking Machine Co.