ir 



CHAPTEK VIII 



Temblador — Departure for La Prision — La Prision — Ants — Our quarters — 

 Method of keeping accounts — House building. 



Although it was quite late in the day when we got 

 opposite to Temblador, we hoped to be able to land our 

 effects before nightfall ; and had our captain adopted 

 the usual tactics of the average Orinoco pilot, there would 

 have been no delay in putting us and our belongings 

 on shore. We had not taken our skipper seriously, when, 

 with much ceremony he had see-sawed into Mapire, nor 

 had we looked upon his throwing the lead near to Puerto 

 Antonio Liccioni otherwise than as a joke meant for 

 our amusement. Now that we were in a hurry to get on 

 shore before nightfall, I for one expected him to take 

 into account the emergency of the case and follow the 

 rapid and effective method of running ashore, which is 

 the custom in the navigation of the Orinoco. Long may 

 it survive ! I have heard it said that now and again a 

 sharp rock will find itself in the way of an over-adventu- 

 rous steamer, and the owner has to build a new one ; but 

 in spite of this disadvantage for the owners of steamers 

 the system of charging the shore has much to commend 

 it so far as passengers are concerned, and saves a good 

 deal of vexation of spirit. However, it was not ordained 

 that we should enter Temblador in this fashion, which 

 precedent has rendered orthodox among the mariners of 

 the river. It was with all the pomp and vanity of a 



