316 IN THE WILDS OF SOUTH AMERICA 



rafters, and firmly tied. The men then piled many more 

 on top, binding each one to the rafter, until a complete hut 

 had been built; although the height of the roof was fully 

 eight feet, the ragged edges came down to the ground, 

 entirely enclosing the sides and forming a snug retreat 

 against which the elements raged without avail. After 

 the first deluge had subsided other and smaller shelters 

 were built. The Indians enjoyed the experience thor- 

 oughly; they threw aside all clothing, built fires over which 

 fish and game were placed to roast, and squatted around 

 the embers in a circle, doubtless indulging in pleasant 

 reminiscences of the days before civilization with its re- 

 stricting influences, and had come into their care-free 

 existence. 



Early next morning we were awakened by the reverberat- 

 ing howls of monkeys. The Indians rushed in a body 

 from their shelters and, snatching up bows and arrows, 

 ran in pursuit. A troop of red howlers had come to the 

 chuchilla near our shelters; we could see none of the ani- 

 mals, but the tops of the canes waving as if agitated by a 

 violent gust of wind told us of their whereabouts. Soon we 

 heard shouts followed by the twang of bows and the snarl 

 of arrows as they ripped through the flesh of the luckless 

 victims. This continued until the creatures disappeared 

 in the interior of the dense jungle, and then the hunters 

 returned, dragging their quarry after them. We were 

 eager to continue on our way, but in view of the efficient 

 and willing service rendered by the men the night before 

 it was decided to wait a few hours and permit them to 

 have a feast. A huge fire was built, and the monkeys, 

 after having been skinned and washed, were set on spits 

 to roast. The Indians crowded around, sang and shouted, 

 and tore off and ate chunks of the half-roasted flesh. In a 

 short time our orderly Yuracares had returned to the realms 

 of savagery, and were indulging in a performance such as I 

 had repeatedly seen among the wild Nhambiquaras of 

 Matto Grosso. 



