270 



HOUBARAYOS INDIANS. 



old geese as they trot along the beach with a brood of little ones. 

 When the wind blows from the southeast, the men shiver and shake for 

 the want of proper clothing, and work much the best when it blows 

 from the northwest, under a clear hot sun. 



At 9 a. m., thermometer, 1 8°; water, 77°; wind southeast. At 3 p. 

 m., thermometer, 80°; water, 7 8°; wind northwest; lightning to the 

 north. The Indians decorate their hats with the green and scarlet 

 feathers of the parrots shot. Current of the river one mile and a half 

 per hour. We came to a shoal in the middle of the river where the 

 channel was only fifteen feet deep ; parties of small seals barked at us, 

 and the men saw a " Gran Bestia" looking out from among the foliage. 

 The woods are cut up in paths made by these heavy animals, who come 

 down the banks to drink in the river. The alligators make use of the 

 ends of the paths to bask in the sun. Tigers are not particular about 

 keeping in the old beaten track, but roam through the gr ass and bushes 

 after the scent. The Indians shot a number of fish to-day. The Mamore 

 is well supplied with animal life — though the alligators are small, there 

 are great numbers of them. 



After dark, a pole was stuck in the sand on the east side of the river, 

 near a flat beach, which extended some distance back from the water, 

 perfectly clear of vegetable growth. The bow of the canoe was fas- 

 tened to the pole, and she swung to the current of the stream. We 

 were trying to sleep, but the musquitoes disputed the question with us 

 all. At midnight, some birds roosting on the flat began to fly up and 

 cry out ; in an instant every Indian silently raised his head, and while 

 looking intently towards the beach, they all laid their hands on their 

 paddles. The screaming of the disturbed birds became more general, 

 and those nearest us began to take up the cry of alarm. Mamore, who 

 was lying on the baggage, uttered a sleepy growl, when the old cap- 

 tain whispered to me, that the savage Houbarayos were approaching us. 

 The stake was pulled quietly in, each man inserted his paddle deep into 

 the water, and with a powerful pull together, the canoe silently glided 

 into raid channel. As the current carried us rapidly down through the 

 darkness, the men were ready with bows and arrows, and we with fire 

 arms. No noise was heard above that of the screaming of the birds ; 

 we could not see any enemy, but the captain and crew said they saw 

 several men. These fellows are not easily entrapped ; we were struck 

 with the admirable order with which they handled their canoe, and 

 were ready to return a shower of arrows. They watch closely the 

 movements of all animals ; could tell by the alarm cry of the birds 

 that some one approached, as they knew the difference between the 



