CHAPTER IX. 



THE SOUTH WIND — THE HTTRRICANE — A FEAEPUL NIGHT — THE UPEOOTED 

 GIANT — THE SAESAPAEILLA PLANT — GEINGALET DISCOVEES A 

 SPEING — OUE BIVOUAC. 



['ENCUERADO'S prediction seemed as if it was likely to 

 be realised. About three o'clock in the morning, we 

 were awakened by a hoarse roaring ; the trees seemed to 

 shiver ; sometimes the uproar appeared to grow less and almost 

 to cease, and then broke out again louder than ever. I hastened 

 to warm some coffee; but two or three times the intermittent 

 squalls scattered the burning faggots of our fire, and the hot 

 ashes nearly blinded us. This mishap was owing to the open 

 glade being so near to us, across which the wind rushed furious 

 and unrestrained. Almost before daylight appeared, I led my 

 companions farther under the trees, the state of the atmosphere 

 making me feel very uncomfortable. The lofty tree-tops, roughly 



