THE SOUFRIERE-BIRD. 205 
eagerness to possess the bird, I neglected to examine 
the ground beneath my feet; I saw only the bird, and 
darted forward. The loose earth gave way, the 
mass of orchids and roots, loosened by the rains, fell 
without warning, and I, wildly grasping at overhang- 
ing roots which broke in my grip, was thrown into 
the ravine. It was not more than fifteen feet in depth, 
and so narrow that my fall was broken by the adjacent 
walls, and I landed on my feet, bruised and a little 
torn, but without serious injury. 
Joy at escape from immediate danger was quickly 
turned to apprehension regarding escape from the 
gulch, for the walls were as smooth as water could 
wear them, and the lower portion of the ravine dis- 
appeared suddenly in the direction of the lake. The 
head of the ravine was a hole like a well, and into 
‘this I had fallen. Through the crevice below me I 
could see the shimmering waters of the lake, a thou- 
sand feet beneath, and a few steps farther would have 
precipitated me into its unfathomed abyss. 
A shower heavier than the others came down fierce- 
ly, setting rivulets running down the crater and wash- 
ing the earth from beneath my feet, warning me to be 
out of the hole if possible. Clinging to some pro- 
jections in the rock, I worked my way slowly up until 
near the top; when about to thrust my arm through 
the vines that darkened my chamber, I was startled 
by the appearance of a black, shining head with 
glittering eyes, thrust right into my face. But for the 
nearness of the opposite wall, I should have fallen, 
this apparition took me so by surprise, for it was none 
other than an immense black snake. Fortunately, I 
