162 



OUR SEARCH FOR A WILDERNESS. 



As soon as it was light, Swallows were seen in numbers, 

 small, dark steel-blue in color with a striking band of white 

 across the breast. These beautiful Banded Swallows 118 

 kept at first to two levels in the air; close to the water, fairly 

 skimming its surface, and high up above the tallest trees 

 marking I suppose the early morning distribution of gnats 

 and other insects. Most delicate and fairy-like they appeared 

 when perched on some great orchid-hung dead branch pro- 

 truding from the water. 



FIG. 75. INDIAN BOYS IN DUG-OUT. 



We can find no adjectives to express the beauty and calm 

 of the cool, early morning on these tropical rivers. Myriads 

 - untold myriads of leaves and branches surround us like 

 the lofty walls of a canyon. We have used the words wall in 

 this connection many times and no other word seems to be so 

 suitable. All sense of flatness is lost in the light of the dawn ; 

 and instead we see these living walls now as infinitely softened; 

 but still the eye cannot penetrate the intricate tangle. Not a 

 breath of air stirs the smallest leaf. It is like the fairy river 



