The Mountains of the West Indies. 75 
and borders of their dresses, is cruel beyond des- 
cription, and cannot be too severely condemnedt 
But if these attractive though humble little creatures 
declare God's glory as they shine amidst the forest wilds ; 
a moment more, alas ! and His glory is scandalised, in 
the person of His last, best handiwork. The tropic 
forest is never silent at night, and the wind is moaning 
through the swaying branches, now striking wild, 
half-formed strains of music from the taut vines which 
interlace the upper boughs, and festoon the lower in wild 
profusion, as from iEolian harps. And now a night-bird 
hoots hoarsely through the darkness — and another answers 
— and yet another. But hark — how unnatural, how human 
are those tones ! A bloodhound in the Spanish camp 
down in the valley yonder thinks so too ; listen 
to his growl, now rising into a full-toned bay. 
Again the birds repeat their dismal hoots, and now the 
little ponies of the Spanish mountain-cavalry blend their 
neighs with the bloodhounds' deep-mouthed chorus. 
There is danger in the wind, and bustle and confusion 
take the place of restful peace in the camp. But it is too 
late. An overwhelming torrent of guerilla warfare sweeps 
in vengeance over the tyrants' camp, and another detach- 
ment of Spain's modern chivalry is sent over to the 
great majority. Of Cuba may it indeed be said 
" Though every prospect pleases, 
And only man is vile" 
Supposing Jamaica to have been the most southern 
limit of the northern coast of the great inland sea we 
have presumed, in that island we find a duplicate 
chain of mountains to the " El Cobra," traversing 
the greatest length of the land. Also like the " El 
