IN THE THICKET. 183 



throngli the lianas and vines which interlaced and inter- 

 tangled one another, and rendered the route almost 



o 



impracticable. Even an iguana would not have found it 

 easy to glide through the tracks trodden down by our 

 horses. So long as it was possible to remain in the 

 passes all went well. We followed with eagerness our 

 dogs, who ever and anon startled the air with formidable 

 barkings ; but suddenly we heard, right in front of us, a 

 still more terrible noise, accompanied by horrid howls, 

 enough to make one's hair stand erect. Each of us then 

 trusted to his own inspiration, and took what seemed to 

 be the best road for coming up with the bear, the object 

 of our expedition. 



The horse on which I was mounted dashed into the 

 thickest of the jungle, indulging in leaps and bounds 

 which tried all my skill as a cavalier to prevent myself 

 from being thrown. Meantime, the bear stood at bay 

 before the dogs, in a covert near the route taken by my 

 steed. Suddenly he darted forward, and passed within a 

 few paces of me, unperceived through the dense screen of 

 verdure which rose between us. At this moment my 

 horse became furious : I found it impossible to guide 

 him, and I felt myself lifted from my saddle by the 

 lianas which everywhere surrounded me. Fortunately, I 

 had the presence of mind to cling tenaciously to the bridle, 

 and I recovered my equilibrium, without giving a thought 

 to the contusions I had experienced. The shock, how- 

 ever, forced me to comprehend the perplexed position in 

 which I found myself, and I then began to think of clear- 

 ing a way through the thicket with my hunting-knife. 



Just at this crisis, the bear, having been stopped short 

 in his route by my three companions, returned in my 



