40 



THREE YEARS IN THE PACIFIC. 



" You would never guess,'^ said Brunner, "that these are 

 the police or watchmen, stationed here to prevent robberies 

 from being committed by runaway slaves, who hide themselves 

 in the mountain thickets, and elude every effort made to appre- 

 hend them." 



Just before arriving at the hut above mentioned, there is a 

 break in the Aqueduct, and the path changes from the right 

 to the left side of the work. From this spot we enjoyed a most 

 enchanting bird's eye view. To the northward and westward 

 runs a valley, sprinkled with gardens and hamlets ; beyond the 

 vale, rise the palace of San Christovao, and the chateau of the 

 Marchioness of Santos ; a lake spreads its peaceful waters to 

 the scented air ; the bay is filled with shipping, and dotted with 

 green islands ; and the town of Praya Grande, in miniature 

 from distance, is seen on the opposite shore. On the other 

 hand, far below, is a deep glen, where white cottages contrast 

 with the deep green of the coffee tree and the gold of the 

 orange ; the Sugar Loaf stood high, and before us the Corcova- 

 do, still higher and wilder, almost overhung our path. 



** Lakes, forests, cities, plains extending wide, 



The pomp of kings, the shepherd's humble pride." 



We continued our walk. The path was less beaten, and the 

 sward yielded to the foot like the richest carpet. The whole 

 way was " flowery, wild and sweet.'' All was hushed. Our 

 steps frequently disturbed <<the green and speckled lizards," 

 that darted from the sunshine of the path and side of the Aque- 

 duct, to the shade of their retreats, in some crevice of the 

 work. A few wild notes struck the ear, and the gay winged 

 butterflies sported in seeming dalliance with each other, ever 

 and anon resting upon the flowers, which in every direction 

 were blooming around us, while the golden-crested humming 

 bird sipped the nectar which nature had prepared. But man 

 will not permit all this in quiet. The cabinet of the naturalist 

 and amateur must be filled with specimens," and both but- 

 terfly and bird lose their lives for the particolor of their down, 

 and the gay, varying tints of their plumage. 



Presently we met a man sweeping a gauze net through the 



