84 WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA 



reversed in order to let the bunch of arrows drop 

 out. 



There is also attached to the quiver a little kind 

 of basket, to hold the wild cotton which is put on 

 the blunt end of the arrow. With a quiver of 

 poisoned arrows slung over his shoulder, and with 

 his blow-pipe in his hand, in the same position as 

 a soldier carries his musket, see the Macoushi In- 

 dian advancing towards the forest in quest of 

 powises, maroudis, waracabas, and other feath- 

 ered game. 



These generally sit high up in the tall and 

 tufted trees, but still are not out of the Indian's 

 reach; for his blow-pipe, at its greatest eleva- 

 tion, will send an arrow three hundred feet. Si- 

 lent as midnight he steals under them, and so 

 cautiously does he tread the ground, that the 

 fallen leaves rustle not beneath his feet. His ears 

 are open to the least sound, while his eye, keen as 

 that of the lynx, is employed in finding out the 

 game in the thickest shade. Often he imitates 

 their cry, and decoys them from tree to tree, till 

 they are within range of his tube. Then taking a 

 poisoned arrow from his quiver, he puts it in the 

 blow-pipe, and collects his breath for the fatal 

 putf. 



About two feet from the end through which he 

 blows there are fastened two teeth of the acouri, 

 and these serve him for a sight. Silent and swift 

 the arrow flies, and seldom fails to pierce the ob- 

 ject at which it is sent. Sometimes the wounded 

 bird remains in the same tree where it was shot, 

 and in three minutes falls down at the Indian's 

 feet. Should he take wing, his flight is of short 



