180 THE LEEBA. Chap. XV. 



requiring only the formation of portages to make it equal to 

 our canals for hundreds of miles, we must confess that the 

 future partakes at least of the elements of hope. My delibe- 

 rate conviction was and is, that the part of the country indi- 

 cated is as capable of supporting millions of inhabitants as it 

 is of its thousands. 



We now began to ascend the Leeba. The water is black as 

 compared with that of the main stream, and ilows placidly, 

 receiving numerous rivulets from both sides. It winds slowly 

 through the most charming meadows, each of which is fer- 

 tilized by a large pond or a trickling rill. The trees were 

 covered with a profusion of the freshest foliage, and were 

 grouped together in the most graceful manner. The grass, 

 which had been burned off and was growing again after 

 the rains, was short and green ; and all the scenery was so 

 parkish, that it was difficult to believe it to be the work of 

 nature alone. I suspect that the level meadows are annually 

 inundated, for the trees stand on elevated knolls, the variety 

 in the forms of which contributes to the park-like appearance 

 of the country. Numbers of fresh-water shells are scattered 

 all over these valleys. The elevations, as I have observed 

 elsewhere, consist of a soft sandy soil, and the meadows of a 

 rich alluvial loam. Beautiful flowers abound, and we found 

 plenty of honey in the woods, and saw the stages on which the 

 P>alonda dry their meat when they come down to gather the 

 produce of the wild hives. In one spot we came upon groups 

 of trees as straight as masts, with festoons of orchilla-weed 

 hanging from the branches. This plant, which is used as a 

 dye-stuff, is found nowhere in the dry country to the south, but 

 prefers the humid climate near the west coast. We wounded 

 a large buffalo, which ran into the thickest part of the forest, 

 bleeding profusely. The young men went on his trail; but 

 when the animal heard them approaching he shifted his posi- 

 tion, and doubled on his course in the most cunning manner. 

 I have sometimes known a buffalo turn back to a point a few 

 yards from his own trail, and then lie down in a hollow, wait- 

 ing for the hunter to come up. Though a heavy, lumbering- 

 looking animal, his charge is rapid and terrific. All are 

 aware of the mischievous nature of the animal when wounded ; 

 still the natives have no dread of him ; when he charges they 



