474 BOAT VOYAGES ON RIVERS. 



native tribes settled upon their margins, in ancient times 

 lived for the most part, except in far northern regions, a life 

 of fairly easy abundance. At all seasons game and fish 

 abounded, and throughout the summer and autumn wild 

 fruits of excellent quality grew profusely in every open 

 glade. On the great rivers of South America and Africa, 

 reports of travellers show that very much the same 

 conditions existed. There was just one drawback to 

 this picture of this earthly Elysium, formerly found in 

 the North American wilderness the human tiger lay 

 in wait for the unwary, and perpetrated hideous bar- 

 barities upon the unhappy man who was so unfortunate 

 as to fall into his clutches. Truly in this wilderness the 

 most dangerous of all beasts of prey is the savage 

 man, who is continually lurking in some secret hiding 

 place to destroy his own species, where in the dramatic 

 words of Bishop Heber, " Every prospect pleases, 

 and only man is vile." * 



Another branch of the angler's art deserving of 

 notice is that relating to the different kinds of fishing 

 obtainable in tropical countries. The nature of the 

 climate and the malarious influences which are supposed 

 to exist in the neighbourhood of water, in these lands, 

 have in general to a great degree prevented Europeans 

 from doing much in the way of fishing. 



Very fine sport is however often to be obtained by 

 those who care to seek for it; and as a source from 

 whence supplies of food may be drawn by parties of 

 travellers passing through wild countries, the question 

 of fishing may occasionally become one of considerable 

 and indeed paramount importance. 



* Part of two lines of a missionary hymn, by Bishop Reginald Heber 

 (of Calcutta) (tempo 17831826). 





