FIRST JOURNEY. 



61 



Indeed, were it the case tliat the smallest particle of 

 it introduced into the blood has almost instantaneous 

 effects, the Indian would not find it necessary to make 

 the large arrow ; that of the blow-pipe is much easier 

 made, and requires less poison. 



And now for the antidotes, or rather the supposed 

 ^ ^ antidotes. The Indians tell you, that if the 

 wounded animal be held for a considerable 

 time up to the mouth in water, the poison will not 

 prove fatal ; also that the juice of the sugar-cane, 

 poured down the throat, will counteract the effects of 

 it. These antidotes were fairly tried upon full-grown 

 healthy fowls, but they all died, as though no steps 

 had been taken to preserve their lives. Eum was 

 recommended, and given to another, but with as little 

 success. 



It is supposed by some, that wind introduced into 

 the lungs by means of a small pair of bellows, would 

 revive the poisoned patient, provided the operation be 

 continued for a sufficient length of time. It may be 

 so : but this is a difficult and a tedious mode of cure, 

 and he who is wounded in the forest, far away from his 

 friends, or in the hut of the savages, stands but a poor 

 chance of being saved by it. 



Had the Indians a sure antidote, it is likely they 

 would carry it about with them, or resort to it 

 immediately after being wounded, if at hand; and 

 their confidence in its efficacy would greatly diminish 

 the horror they betray when you point a poisoned 

 arrow at them. 



One day while we were eating a red monkey, 

 erroneously called a baboon, in Demerara, an Arowack 

 Indian told an affecting story of what happened to a 



