48 JUNGLE PEACE 



wild mango and acacias were hosts of green 

 filigree butterflies, dropping and swirling from 

 the foliage like falling leaves, the comparison 

 being heightened by the brown spots, like 

 fungus blotches, which were etched upon their 

 wings. 



Leaving the ravine we climbed over great 

 lateral shoulders of the mountain, grassy slopes 

 with bold out jutting rocks, and rarely a clump 

 of small shrubs, bringing to mind the lower 

 foothills of Garhwal and Kashmir. Higher 

 still came dense shrubby growths, much of it 

 thorny, seamed by our narrow trail, and 

 threaded here and there by glowing fronds of 

 golden shower orchids. Ground doves perched 

 on low branches and an occasional big pigeon 

 whistled past. From the summit a wonderful 

 view stretched out — the long, sloping green cane- 

 fields, the clustered roofs, and beyond the curv- 

 ing beaches, the blue water with our vessel rest- 

 ing at anchor. Now came a search for monkeys, 

 regardless of thorns and rough stones, for, 

 strange though it sounds, St. Kitts possesses 

 many of these animals. Whatever the accident 

 of their arrival, they are firmly estabhshed and 

 work much havoc in the small hours, among gar- 



