WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA. 135 



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 Indian advancing towards the forest in 

 quest of powises, maroudis, waracabas, and other feathered 

 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 elevation, will send an arrow three 

 hundred feet. Silent 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 puff. 



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 object at which it is sent. Some- 

 times 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 duration, 

 and the Indian, following the direction he has gone, is sure 

 to find him dead. 



It is natural to imagine that, when a slight wound only 

 is inflicted, the game will make its escape. Far otherwise ; 

 the wourali-poison almost instantaneously mixes with blood 

 or water, so that if you wet your finger, and dash it along 

 the poisoned arrow in the quickest manner possible, you 

 are sure to carry off some of the poison. Though three 

 minutes generally elapse before the convulsions come on 

 in the wounded bird, still a stupor evidently takes place 



