YURACARES HUNTING. 



189 



and one woman. She carried an earthen pot slung to her back, and was 

 dressed like the men. Her head was large, nose flat, and altogether 

 such a hideous being, I shall not pretend fully to describe her. She was 

 small, and appeared like a child by the young men, who were better 

 looking, and with more pleasing expression of face than either of the 

 others ; they were less painted, and carried smaller sized weapons. This 

 party of Indians were' of the Yuracares tribe on a hunting excursion. 

 They roam through the woods and along the streams seeking food. The 

 woman accompanies them as cook and help; she carries their game, 

 and acts as the servant of these savage men, following them in the hunt 

 with the old smoked earthen pot hanging to her back. When a turkey 

 falls, or a fish is drawn from the river, or the tiger skin is taken, they 

 are tossed to the woman, who lugs them along with her pot until they 

 encamp for the night, when she builds a fire, cooks the game, and all 

 seat themselves in a ring and feast, after starving a day and a half. 

 Should it rain, a few large green leaves are spread upon some branches 

 of bushes, sloped on the weather side of a ridge-pole, supported by two 

 forked stakes. The ground underneath is bedded with more green leaves 

 from the forest ; the seven men and one woman retire for the night, with 

 their feet towards the fire, which is a protection against musquitoes and 

 bats. When rain falls at night the air is cold, and these wild men are 

 kept warm sleeping close to one another. In the morning, before the 

 break of day, they are all on their feet ; not a word is spoken ; a death- 

 like silence pervades before the waking up of other animals. The 

 moment the ring-tailed monkey opens his eyes and gapes after his 

 night's rest, the watchful Indian draws his bow ; the screaming monkey 

 falls to the ground pierced by an arrow ; he twists, turns, and calls for 

 help from his fellows ; the Indians stand perfectly still, knowing that 

 the curious family will rush to the rescue, and, as they one by one crawl 

 down to see what the matter is, the arrows fly silently through the trees, 

 when the screaming is terrible. The wild turkey, however, is not dis- 

 turbed, for the racket made by the monkey family is only a little louder 

 than usual at that hour of the morning, and as he shakes the dew from 

 his wings before he^flies from his roosting-place, the well-aimed arrow 

 brings him to the ground. Tigers that roam about for their breakfast, 

 scent the Indian's resting-place by the gentle breezes that blow from it ; 

 they growlingly approach the rude habitation, but the arrow meets him, 

 strikes inside Irs fore -shoulder, penetrates his heart; his claws tear the 

 earth, and his teeth clench the slender arrow in his dying agony. 



As the sun shines brightly upon the happy waters of the river, the 

 fish begin to jump and play. The Indian takes his stand on the rocks 



