d long and earnestly over his
position, which was still one of some danger; but a sensation of
light-hearted recklessness made the prospect before him seem very
bright. He soon made up his mind what to do. The weather was extremely
warm, so that, after wringing the water out of his linen clothes, he
experienced little discomfort; but he felt that there would not only be
discomfort but no little danger in travelling in such a country without
arms, covering, or provisions. He therefore determined on the bold
expedient of revisiting the Indian village during the darkness of the
night in order to procure what he required. He ran great risk of being
retaken, but his necessity was urgent and he was aware that several
families were absent on a hunting expedition at that time, whose huts
were pretty certain to be unoccupied.

Accordingly, when two or three hours of the night had passed, he
clambered with much difficulty down the precipitous rocks, and reached
the level plain, over which he quickly ran, and soon reached the
outskirts of the village. The Indians were all asleep, and no sound
disturbed the solemn stillness of the night. Going stealthily towards a
hut he peeped in at the open window, but could see and hear nothing.
Just as he was about to enter, however, a long-drawn breath proved that
it was occupied. He shrank hastily back into the deep shade of the
bushes. In a few minutes he recovered from the agitation into which he
had been thrown and advanced cautiously towards another hut. This one
seemed to be untenanted, so he opened the palm-leaf door gently and
entered. No time was to be lost now. He found an empty sack or bag,
into which he hastily threw as much farina as he could carry without
inconvenience. Besides this, he appropriated a long knife; a small
hatchet; a flint and steel, to enable him to make a fire; and a stout
bow with a quiver full of arrows. It was so dark that it was with
difficulty he found these things. But as he was on the point of leaving
he observed a white object in a corner. This turned out to be a light
hammock, which he seized eagerly, and, rolling it up into a small
bundle, placed it in the sack. He also sought for, and fortunately
found, an old straw-hat which he put on.

Martin had now obtained all that he required, and was about to quit the
hut when he became suddenly rooted to the spot with horror on observing
the dark countenance of an Indian gazing at him with dist