212 THE JAGUAR. 



abode in America, the same traveller heard of only one 

 example of a Llanera who was found torn in his hammock, 

 opposite the island of Achaguas. In another part of the 

 narrative of this accomplished traveller, we have the fol- 

 lowing anecdote, which shows the Jaguar to be very easily 

 frightened ; we doubt, however, if the forbearance of the 

 animal would have been very long continued. "Two In- 

 dian children, a girl and a boy, the one about seven, the 

 other about nine years old, were at play o& the outskirts oi 

 the same village, when a large Jaguar, about two o'clock 

 in the afternoon, came out of the woods and made towards 

 them, playfully bounding along, his head down, and his 

 back arched, in the manner of a cat. He approached the 

 boy in this way, and began to play with him ; nor was the 

 latter even sensible of his danger, until the Jaguar struct 

 him so hard on the head with his paw, as to draw blood, 

 whereupon 'the little girl, with a small switch which she 

 had in her hand, struck him, and he was already bound- 

 ing back again, not at all irritated, to his retreat, when the 

 Indians of the village, alarmed by her cries, came up tc 

 them." 



The traveller who is unfortunate enough to meet this 

 formidable beast, especially if it be after sunset, has bul 

 little time for consideration. Should it be urged to attach 

 by the cravings of appetite, it is not any noise or firebrand 

 that will save him. Scarcely any thing but the celerity oi 

 a musket ball will anticipate its murderous purpose. The 

 aim must be quick and steady, and life or death depend 

 upon the result. 



As population extends, animals, of this description irj 

 particular, are lessened in number ; for, with all their 

 natural powers of body, they are no match for the artificial 

 resoures of man. Accordingly, many parts of South 

 America, which were once grievously pestered with Ja- 

 g-iars, are now almost: freed from them, or -are only occa 

 sionally troubled with their destructive incursions. 



