SOUTH AMERICA. 221 

 those which had no speck were put into dry sand, and Third 



Journey. 



were good some weeks after. 



At midnight, two of our people went to this sand-bank, 

 while the rest staid to watch the Cayman. The turtle had 

 advanced on to the sand to lay their eggs, and the men 

 got betAvixt them and the water ; they brought off half a 

 dozen very fine and well-fed turtle. The egg-shell of the 

 fresh -water turtle is not hard like that of the land tor- 

 toise, but appears like white parchment, and gives way 

 to the pressure of the fingers ; but it is very tough, and 

 does not break. On this sand-bank, close to the forest, 

 we found several Guana's nests ; but they had never 

 more than fourteen eggs a-piece. Thus passed the day . 

 in exercise and knowledge, till the sun's declining orb 

 reminded us it was time to return to the place from 

 whence we had set out. 



The second night's attempt upon the Cayman was a 

 repetition of the first, quite unsuccessful. We went a 

 fishing the day after, had excellent sport, and returned 

 to experience a third night's disappointment. On the 

 fourth evening, about four o'clock, we began to erect a 

 stage amongst the trees, close to the Avater's edge. 

 From this we intended to shoot an arrow into the Cay- 

 man : at the end of this arrow was to be attached a 

 string, which would be tied to the rope, and as soon as 

 the Cayman was struck, we were to have the canoe ready, 

 and pursue him in the river. 



