WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA 131 



done to a poor ill-treated slave, and shows that 

 his heart grieves for him by causing immediate 

 redress, and preventing a repetition. 



Long may ye flourish, peaceful and liberal in- 

 habitants of Demerara ! Your doors are ever open 

 to harbour the harbourless; your purses never 

 shut to the wants of the distressed : many a ruined 

 fugitive from the Oroonoque will bless your kind- 

 ness to him in the hour of need, when flying from 

 the woes of civil discord, without food or raiment, 

 he begged for shelter underneath your roof. The 

 poor sufferer in Trinidad, who lost his all in the 

 devouring flames, will remember your charity to 

 his latest moments. The traveller, as he leaves 

 your port, casts a longing, lingering look behind ; 

 your attentions, your hospitality, your pleasantry 

 and mirth, are uppermost in his thoughts: your 

 prosperity is close to his heart. Let us now, gen- 

 tle reader, retire from the busy scenes of man, and 

 journey on towards the wilds in quest of the 

 feathered tribe. 



Leave behind you your high-seasoned dishes, 

 your wines and your delicacies; carry nothing 

 but what is necessary for your own comfort and 

 the object in view, and depend upon the skill of 

 the Indian, or your own, for fish and game. A 

 sheet, about twelve feet long, ten wide, painted, 

 and with loop-holes on each side, will be of great 

 service; in a few minutes you can suspend it 

 betwixt two trees in the shape of a roof. Under 

 this, in your hammock, you may defy the pelting 

 shower, and sleep heedless of the dews of night. 

 A hat, a shirt, and a light pair of trousers, will be 

 all the raiment you require. Custom will soon 



