BEE-HUNTERS. 265 



consequently known as bee-hunters. Their modus 

 operandi is as follows : On observing a loaded bee 

 they follow it as long as possible, then wait till they 

 see others going in the same direction. These, as 

 they successively pass, they keep in sight, and by this 

 course are brought nearer and nearer to the hive. After 

 the tree in which the industrious insects have their 

 stores laid up is reached, it often requires time and 

 trouble to discover the entrance to the hive, and 

 much experience to know whether there will be a 

 sufficiency to recompense the hunter for the trouble 

 of cutting it down, for a bee-tree is generally one of 

 the largest proportions. Wet and damp weather is 

 best suited for this description of hunting, for then 

 the insects fly more slowly, and closer to the ground. 



In strolling around the camp within a circum- 

 ference of a mile or two, I saw several deer, and 

 could have killed without difficulty a couple of them, 

 for even after they were aware of my presence, they 

 remained staring at me, scarcely evincing any feelings 

 of alarm. It was evident from their manner that 

 they were as yet unacquainted with the destructive 

 powers of fire-arms. As we had plenty of food, the 

 old man having struck on the head a porcupine, 

 which, fortunately for us, ran across his track in the 

 vicinity of the bee -tree, I did not molest these 

 beauties, it affording me much gratification to be 

 able to leave them alone. 



For three days nothing of importance occurred. 

 The country became more and more swampy, and 



