62 



WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA. 



comrade of his. He was present at his death. As it 

 did not interest this Indian in any point to tell a false- 

 hood, it is very probable that his account was a true one. 

 If so, it appears that there is no certain antidote, or, at 

 least, an antidote that could be resorted to in a case of 

 urgent need ; for the Indian gave up all thoughts of 

 life as soon as he was wounded. 



The Arowack Indian said it was but four 

 years ago, that he and his companion were 

 ranging in the forest in quest of game. His companion 

 took a poisoned arrow, and sent it at a red monkey in 

 a tree above him. It was nearly a perpendicular shot. 

 The arrow missed the monkey, and, in the descent, 

 struck him in the arm, a little above the elbow. He 

 was convinced it was all over with him. " I shall 

 never/' said he to his companion, in a faltering voice, 

 and looking at his bow as he said it, "I shall never," 

 said he, " bend this bow again." And having said 

 that, he took off his little bamboo poison box, which 

 hung across his shoulder, and putting it together with 

 his bow and arrows on the ground, he laid himself down 

 close by them, bid his companion farewell, and never 

 spoke more. 



He who is unfortunate enough to be wounded by a 

 poisoned arrow from Macoushia, had better not depend 

 upon the common antidotes for a cure. Many who 

 have been in Guiana will recommend immediate immer- 

 sion in water, or to take the juice of the sugar-cane, or 

 to fill the mouth full of salt ; and they recommend these 

 antidotes, because they have got them from the Indians. 

 But were you to ask them if they ever saw these an- 

 tidotes used with success, it is ten to one their answer 

 would be in the negative. 



