36 CAMPS IN THE CARIBBEES. 



the waist by a girdle. This was becoming serious. 

 If there were any more rocks in our path, I felt morally 

 certain they would dodge behind them. And then 

 how would they appear? My hair began to bristle. 

 I was resolved to stop it at all hazards. 



" Look here, Marie ! " 



"Yes, monsieur." 



"Don't do that any more." 



" What, monsieur? " 



"Don't go behind any more rocks ; don't takeoff 

 any more garments." 



" Why no, monsieur ; it is impossible !" 



No amount of italicizing or exclamation-points can 

 render the astonishment in her tone as she thus as- 

 sured me ; and feeling that I could then safely proceed, 

 I gave the order to go on. We reached the river 

 the stream that flows out of the mountain lake broad 

 and with gravelly beach, with immense bowlders as 

 islands, and a wall of vegetation on either side that rose 

 straight up a hundred feet. Here my guides left me 

 to my own devices and waded into the stream in search 

 of .crayfish. I saw a bird I had not seen before, and 

 pursued it along the shore until stopped by a cascade. 

 It was within shot, however, and at the report of my 

 gun it fell into a little pool. The rocks were smooth 

 as glass, and my great boots, though good protection 

 from the vines and thorns, were but poor aids in 

 clambering over these rocks. The result was that I 

 unexpectedly sat down upon a rock, and very sud- 

 denly I came down, too. There was a stream of 

 water rushing over that rock six inches in depth, so 

 that my fall did not hurt me ; but the rapid-flowing 

 sheet struck my back with great force, and climbed 



