blood-sucking bats, that kill so many animals in these parts? No--they
were not to be left to such a fate. One of them--the mule--had been
already disposed of. It was a valuable beast, and partly on that
account, and partly from gratitude felt towards it for the well-timed
kick it had given the ocelot, it was to be spared. Guapo had taken both
the mule and the horse on his mountain journey, and presented the former
to his friend the vaquero.

But the horse was still on hand. What was to be done with him? Leave
him behind? That would be certain death, for no horse, that was not
cared for, could exist in the Montana ten days without being eaten up by
the fierce creatures that inhabit it. The bats would surely have
destroyed him. Well, what was done? He could not be carried on the
raft. But he was, though,--_in a way_. Guapo was resolved that the
bats should not have him, nor the jaguars neither. He was in fine
condition--fat as a pig. The fruit of the murumuru had agreed with him.
He was just in the condition in which an Indian thinks a horse "good
for killing," and _Guapo killed him_! Yes, Guapo killed him! It is
true it was a sort of a Virginius tragedy, and Guapo had great
difficulty in nerving himself for the task. But the blow-gun was at
length levelled, and the _curare_ did its work. Then Guapo skinned him,
and cut him into strips, and dried him into "charqui," and carried him
on board the raft. That was the closing scene.

All left the house together, carrying with them the remains of their
hastily-created _penates_. On reaching the end of the valley, they
turned and threw back a last glance at a home that had to them been a
happy one; and then, continuing their journey, they were soon upon the
balza. The only living creature that accompanied them from their
valley-home was the pretty saimiri, carried on the shoulder of the
little Leona.

The cable of piassaba-palm was carefully taken in and coiled, the raft
was pushed out, and the next moment floated lightly upon the broad bosom
of the river.

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.

THE GUARDIAN BROTHER.

The current of the river flowed at the rate of about four miles an hour,
and at this speed they travelled. They had nothing to do but guide the
raft in the middle part of the stream. This was effected by means of a
large stern-oar fixed upon a pivot, and which served the purpose of a
rudder. One was required to look after this oar, and Don Pablo