258 COLLECTOR'S RAMBLES 



their faces disfigured with war-paint, and their bodies 

 glistening with sweat, ran up the hill to the town. 

 Shelley waited to see no more, but hatless and shoe- 

 less, ran for dear life up the path, the savages pursuing. 



When some distance from the town, he turned 

 directly off the path, and ran down the mountain- 

 side, where he hid in one of the numerous caves. He 

 could see a part of the path up which he had come, 

 and presently observed a large body of men, well 

 armed with spears, going down the path to attack the 

 invading party. A desperate fight ensued, in which 

 two of -the houses were wrecked, several of the enemy 

 wounded, and one of their number killed. 



One of the houses was set on fire, but was speedily 

 extinguished by the Coyaries, who drove the enemy 

 back towards Boyeruma, from whence they came. 

 Strangely enough, only one of the Narinuma men 

 was seriously injured, and he finally recovered. 



When I returned towards evening, I found the vil- 

 lagers greatly excited by what had taken place ; and 

 they all left at evening, for the caves, fearing an attack 

 in the night. We prepared to remain in one of their 

 tree-houses that night; for in such a place we felt 

 secure against any surprise, as we could pour down a 

 deadly volley upon any one who tried to do us harm. 

 The night passed very quietly, the swaying of the 

 little house in the tree-tops being very conducive to 

 sleep. 



