94 WANDERINGS IN SOUTH A]\IERICA 



full-grown healthy fowls, but they all died, as 

 though no steps had been taken to preserve their 

 lives. Rum was recommended and given to an- 

 other, but with as little success. 



It is supposed by some, that wind introduced 

 into the lungs by means of a small pair of bellows 

 would revive the poisoned patient, provided the 

 operation be continued for a sufficient length of 

 time. It may be so; but this is a difficult and a 

 tedious mode of cure, and he who is wounded in 

 the forest far away from his friends, or in the hut 

 of the savages, stands but a poor chance of being 

 saved by it. 



Had the Indians a sure antidote, it is likely they 

 would carry it about with them, or resort to it 

 immediately after being wounded, if at hand ; and 

 their confidence in its efficacy would greatly di- 

 minish the horror they betray, when you point a 

 poisoned arrow at them. 



One day, while we were eating a red monkey, 

 erroneously called the baboon in Demerara, an 

 Arowack Indian told an affecting story of what 

 happened to a comrade of his. He was present at 

 his death. As it did not interest this Indian in 

 any point to tell a falsehood, it is very probable 

 that his account was a true one. If so, it appears 

 that there is no certain antidote, or at least no 

 antidote that could be resorted to in a case of ur- 

 gent need ; for the Indian gave up all thoughts of 

 life as soon as he was wounded. 



The Arowack Indian said it was but four years 

 ago that he and his companion were ranging in 

 the forest in quest of game. His companion took a 

 poisoned arrow, and sent it at a red monkey in 



