188 



ADVENTURE WITH A JAGUAR. 



Group of 

 crocodiles. 



Escape fiom 

 a jagiur. 



CHAP XVI. hoklt left his companions and went along the beach to 

 observe a group of crocodiles sleeping in the sun. Some 

 little herons of a white colour were walking along iJieir 

 backs, and even on their heads. As lie was proceeding, 

 his eyes directed towards the river, he discovered recent 

 footmarks of a beast of prey, and turning toward the 

 forest, found himself within eighty steps of an enor- 

 mously large jaguar. Although extremely frightened, 

 he vet retained sufficient command of himself to follow 

 the advice which the Indians had so often given, and 

 continued to walk without moving his arms, making a 

 large circuit toward the edge of the water. As the 

 distance increased he accelerated his pace, and at length, 

 judging it safe to look about, did so, and saw the tiger 

 in the same spot. Arriving at the boat out of breath, 

 he related his adventure to the natives, who seemed to 

 think it nothing extraordinary. In the evening they 

 passed the mouth of the Cano del Manati, so named on 

 account of the vast numljer of manatees caught there. 

 This aquatic hcrluvorous animal generally attains the 

 length of ten or twelve feet, and abounds in the Orinoco 

 below the cataracts, the Rio Meta, and the Apure. The 

 flesh, although very savoury and resembling pork, is 

 considered unwholesome ; but it is in request during 

 Lent, being classed by the monks among fishes. The 

 fat is used for lamps in the churches, as well as for 

 cooking ; while the hide is cut into slips to supply the 

 place of cordage. Whips are also made of it in the 

 Spanish colonies for the castigation of negroes and other 

 slaves. The fires lighted by the boatmen on the shore 

 attracted the crocodiles and dolphins. Two persons 

 kept watch during the night. A jaguar with her cub 

 approached the encampment, but was driven away by 

 the attendants ; and soon after the dog was bitten in 

 the nose by a large bat or vampire. 



On the 4th they intended to pass the night at Vuelta 

 del Palmito ; liut as the Indians were going to sling the 

 hammocks, they found two tigers concealed behind a 

 tree, and it was judged safer to re-embark and sleep on 



Slanateea. 



Tigers. 



