144 WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA. 



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 diminish 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 an antidote that 

 could be resorted to in a case of urgent 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 a tree above him. It was nearly a 

 perpendicular shot. The arrow missed the monkey, and 

 in the descent, struck him in the arm, a little above the 

 elbow. He was convinced it was all over with him. " I 

 shall never," said he to his companion in a faltering voice, 

 and looking at his bow as said it, " I shall never," said he, 

 " bend this bow again." And having said that, he took 

 off his little bamboo poison-box, which hung across his 

 shoulder, and putting it together with his bow and arrows 

 on the ground, he laid himself down close by them, bid 

 his companion farewell, and never spoke more. 



He who is unfortunate enough to be wounded by a 

 poisoned arrow from Macoushia had better not depend 

 upon the common antidotes for a cure. Many who have 



