36 BIG GAME FIELDS 



the jungle on foot seemed to me at first ridiculous. 

 It not only proved possible, however, but quite 

 successful as well. 



After once cutting through the barricading 

 walls, where the jungle is composed largely of 

 great forest giants with huge buttressed roots, 

 one is rather surprised at the absence of under- 

 brush. The great tree trunks often shoot up to 

 a height of seventy feet before sending out a 

 branch, and the smaller trees, stalks, etc., seldom 

 spread or show any foliage until they have 

 reached the jungle roof, where the sunlight gives 

 them the life they all seem to struggle for so 

 eagerly. Through these column aisles of the 

 jungle one can get along tolerably well, but it 

 may be supposed that its character frequently 

 changes, and in sections it is well-nigh impossible 

 to get through the tangle of woods, where the 

 dense growth and windfalls of countless storms 

 conspire to keep the traveler from his goal. 



As the first spectral gray of dawn began to 

 sift its pale light through the forest, we were 

 sliding up river in the curial with the hounds. 

 The Indians paddling swiftly, we soon arrived at 

 the spot where we were to moor our craft and 

 follow into the vast forests. All my men w r ere 



