40 SCENE ON THE DEMERARA RIVER. 



and generals had met, was now deserted and te- 

 nanted by the Yampire. Here, then, was a fine oppor- 

 tunity to watch the movements of this strange crea- 

 ture. He was often seen to help himself from 

 the Banana-tree, and would also hring into the loft 

 a green round fruit from the forest, something like 

 a wild guava, and about the size of a nutmeg. There 

 was something, also, in the blossom of the suwarri- 

 tree, which was grateful to him, for, on coming up 

 Waratilli creek, in a clear moonlight night, Water- 

 ton saw some Vampires fluttering round the top of 

 the sawarri-tree, and every now and then the blos- 

 soms, which they had broken off, fell into the water. 

 They certainly did not fall naturally, for, on ex- 

 amining several, they appeared fresh and blooming. 

 It was, therefore, evident that tbe Yampires pulled 

 them from the tree, either to get at the fruit, or to 

 catch the insects which often nestle in flowers. 



These strange quadrupeds frequent deserted houses, 

 as well as hollow trees, and ants' nests. Sometimes 

 a cluster of them may be seen hanging with their 

 heads downward from the branch of a tree. 



In matted woods, where birds forget to sing, 

 And silent bats in drowsy clusters cling. 



It was highly amusing to watch their movements, 

 as they flitted to and fro along the banks of the 

 Essequibo; to sit, as Waterton beautifully describes, 

 on the branch of a fallen tree, near the water's edge, 

 to listen to the soft and plaintive cries of the goat- 

 suckers, repeating their evening songs, or to observe 

 the owls and vampires, as they every now and then 

 passed up the river. 



