SOUTH AMERICA. 



61 



pipe, at its greatest elevation, will send an arrow three First 



Journey. 



hundred feet. Silent as midnight he steals under them, 

 and so cautiously does he tread the ground, that the 

 fallen leaves rustle not beneath his feet. His ears are 

 open to the least sound, while his eye, keen as that of the 

 lynx, is employed in finding out the game in the thickest 

 shade. Often he imitates their cry, and decoys them 

 from tree to tree, till they are within range of his tube. 

 Then taking a poisoned arrow from his quiver, he puts 

 it in the blow-pipe, and collects his breath for the fatal 

 puff. 



About two feet from the end through which he blows, 

 there are fastened two teeth of the Acouri, and these serve 

 him for a sight. Silent and swift the arrow flies, and seldom 

 fails to pierce the object at which it is sent. Sometimes 

 the wounded bird remains in the same tree where it was 

 shot, and in three minutes falls down at the Indian's feet. 

 Should he take wing, his flight is of short duration, and 

 the Indian, following the direction he has gone, is sure to 

 find him dead. 



It is natural to imagine that, when a slight wound only Effects of 



the poison 



is inflicted, the game will make its escape. Far other- on the 



wounded 



wise ; the wourali poison almost instantaneously mixes bird, 

 with blood or water, so that if you wet your finger, and 

 dash it along the poisoned arrow in the quickest manner 

 possible, you are sure to carry oft' some of the poison. 

 Though three minutes generally elapse before the 



