LIFE IN TEFFE. 215 
dining-room, with a large closet leading out of it, used 
as a storage-place for alcohol, and serving at this moment 
as a prison-house for two live alligators who are awaiting 
execution there. The news of our arrival has already 
gone abroad, and the fishermen and boys of the village 
are bringing in specimens of all sorts, alligators, turtles, 
fish, insects, birds. Enough is already gathered to show 
what a rich harvest may be expected in this neighborhood. 
September 2Sth. Yesterday afternoon, between sunset 
and moonlight, our neighbor Dr. Romualdo invited us to go 
with him and his friend Senlior Joao da Cunha on a fishing 
excursion into one of the pretty bayous that open out to the 
lake. As our canoe entered it, lazy alligators were lying 
about in the still glassy water, with their heads just resting 
above the surface ; a tall, gray heron stood on the shore, 
as if watching his reflection, almost as distinct as himself, 
and a variety of water-birds sailed over our heads as we 
intruded upon their haunts. When we had reached a 
certain point, the Indians sprang up to their necks in the 
water, (which was, by the way, unpleasantly warm,) and 
stretched the net. After a few minutes, they dragged it 
into shore with a load of fish, which seemed almost as 
wonderful as Peter's miraculous draught. As the net was 
landed the fish broke from it in hundreds, springing through 
the meshes and over the edges, and literally covering the 
beach. The Indians are very skilful in drawing the net, 
going before it and lashing the water with long rods to 
frighten the fish and drive them in. Seuhor da Cunha, 
who is a very ardent lover of the sport, worked as hard 
as any of the boatmen, plunging into the water to lend 
a hand at the net or drive in the fish, and, when the 
draught was landed on the beach, rushing about in the 
