886 The Blow-Gun. 



minute, it had sat down, scarce able to support its head, which 

 nodded, and then recovered itself, and then nodded again, lower and 

 lower every time, like that of a weary traveler slumbering in an erect 

 position; the eyes alternately open and shut. The fourth minute 

 brought on convulsions, and life and the fifth terminated together. 



" The flesh of the game is not in the least injured by the poison, 

 nor does it appear to corrupt sooner than that killed by the gun or 

 knife. The body of this fowl was kept for sixteen hours, in a 

 climate damp and rainy, and within seven degrees of the equator ; 

 at the end of which time it had contracted no bad smell whatever, 

 and there were no symptoms of putrefaction, saving that just around 

 the wound the flesh appeared somewhat discolored. * * * * * 



" With a quiver of poisoned arrows slung over his shoulder, and 

 with his blow-pipe in his hand, in the same position as a soldier 

 carries his musket, see the Macoushi Indian advancing toward the 

 forest in quest of powises, maroudis, waracabas, and other feathered 

 game. 



"These generally sit high up in the tall and tufted trees, but 

 still are not out of the Indian's reach ; for his blow-pipe, at its 

 greatest elevation, will send an arrow three hundred feet. Silent as 

 midnight, he steals under them, and so cautiously does he tread the 

 ground that the fallen leaves rustle not beneath his feet. His ears 

 are open to the least sound, while his eye, keen as that of the lynx, 

 is employed in finding out the game in the thickest shade. Often 

 he imitates their cry, and decoys them from tree to tree till they are 

 within range of his tube. Then, taking a poisoned arrow from his 

 quiver, he puts it in the blow-pipe and collects his breath for the 

 fatal puff. Silent and swift the arrow flies, and seldom fails to pierce 

 the object at which it is sent. Sometimes the wounded bird remains 

 in the same tree where it was shot, and in three minutes falls down 

 at the Indian's feet. Should he take wing, his flight is of short 

 duration, and the Indian, following the direction he has gone, is sure 

 to find him dead. 



"The Indian, on his return home, carefully suspends his blow- 

 pipe from the top of his spiral roof, seldom placing it in an oblique 

 position, lest it should receive a cast." 



