254 EXCURSIONS AROUND EGA. Chap. IV. 



sentinels having already nearly exhausted the pool, 

 notwithstanding their declarations to the contrary. In 

 waiting for the animals it was necessary to keep silence : 

 not a pleasant way of passing the night ; speaking only 

 in whispers, and being without fire in a place liable to 

 be visited by a prowling jaguar. Cardozo and I sat on 

 a sandy slope with our loaded guns by our side, but it 

 was so dark we could scarcely see each other. Towards 

 midnight a storm began to gather around us. The 

 faint wind which had breathed from over the water 

 since the sun went down, ceased ; thick clouds piled 

 themselves up, until every star was obscured, and 

 gleams of watery lightning began to play in the midst 

 of the black masses. I hinted to Cardozo that I 

 thought we had now had enough of watching, and sug- 

 gested a cigarette. Just then a quick pattering move- 

 ment was heard on the sands, and grasping our guns, we 

 both started to our feet. Whatever it might have been 

 it seemed to pass by, and a few moments afterwards a 

 dark body appeared to be moving in another direction 

 on the opposite slope of the sandy ravine where we lay. 

 We prepared to fire, but luckily took the precaution of 

 first shouting " Quern va la?" (Who goes there?). It 

 turned out to be the taciturn sentinel, Daniel, who asked 

 us mildly whether we had heard a " raposa " pass our 

 way. The raposa is a kind of wild dog, with very long, 

 tapering muzzle, and black and white speckled hair.* 



* I had once only an opportunity of examining a specimen of this 

 animal. It is probably new to science, at least I have not been able 

 to find a published description that suits the species. The one men- 

 tioned was taken from a burrow in the earth in the forests bordering 

 the Tene*, near Ega. 



