258 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD 



of acres had slid down at least 200 feet, making a huge gap 

 through which we could see the forest extending for miles and 

 miles, right up to the Montserrat settlements — a fine view of a 

 billowy, leafy sea of green. Tracks of the armadillo were in 

 plenty, and at one spot our companions told us how they had, a 

 month or two before, blocked up an ant-eater in a hole, intending 

 to take him on their return, but the wily brute had, by the 

 exercise of his great strength, removed all obstacles and eilected 

 his escape. A noise here attracted us which resembled the 

 whirr of a wheel, lasting for some seconds and then terminating 

 in a sharp shrill whistle — the cry of the merle laque jaune° or 

 yellow corn bird. But our thoughts were soon diverted from 

 this remarkable note, for we had suddenly come upon unmistake- 

 able traces of our game. There were the quenk signs ; there they 

 had been drinking ; there were their hoof marks ; there they had 

 been scratching their muddy backs against the trees. 



The dogs quiet down and begin running hither and 

 thither with rapidly waving tails. Every one is growing excited, 

 and now the dogs concentrate their attention on one par- 

 ticular spot. They begin to take a definite course. Melon 

 and Cook, with noses lowered, now trot along more confidently. 

 The scent is warm. The other dogs begin to follow. Presently 

 a sharp yelp from Melon, then Cook replies. We have been 

 imperceptibly increasing our pace and now we are rushing 

 through the woods at headlong speed. The dogs whimpering and 

 yelping are far ahead. My comrades seem to have disappeared — 

 only Albert is near. My wounded foot distresses me, but I say 

 to myself " hold on, I have never chased peccary before — perhaps 

 never shall again." I am going at my top speed ; now tearing 

 through the razor grass with hands held high to shield my face ; 

 now leaping down a steep bank, next stumbling against a half 

 buried root. On we rush, Carr ever in front, calling 

 first to me and then to the dogs — " Come on, come, come !" 

 "Good dog! Good dog! houp ! houp ! good dog!" "Come on 

 Mole ! !" The dogs are going their best and so am I. Crash — I 

 find mvself in a thicket of " wait a minute " thorns. I tear myself 

 free and immediately slip on a moss-covered root, measuring my 

 length on the ground. I scramble up, considerably demoralized, 

 and run down a steep hill at the peril of my neck ; but the chase 

 is at the bottom ; when I get there it is at the top of the next 

 one. Breath comes thick and short and I am dripping with 

 perspiration but on, and on I stagger, now tripping, now held 

 back by lianes into which in my headlong flight I have 

 incautiously run. Ever on ahead is Carr, calling on 

 " come " but I am so exhausted I can't reply. I set my teeth, 



*Ostinops decumanits Pall. 



