e tree. The marimondas on the
ground ran forward; and, in the midst of loud rejoicings, began to pull
off the "peaches" and devour them. But the monkeys above did not cease
their labours. There were many mouths to feed, and they wanted more
nuts. Without changing their position, they, by means of their arms and
legs, threw themselves into a vibrating motion, and by this means the
last on the string soon seized upon another pupunha, and also detached
its fruit. In this way they continued, until they had stripped every
tree within their reach; when, judging they had got enough, the
lowermost monkey _climbed back upon himself_, then up his companions to
the branch, and in the same style was followed by the other three in
succession. As soon as they were clear of one another, the whole party
tame down by the trunk to the ground, and joined their comrades below in
the luxurious repast.

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX.

THE MONKEY MOTHER.

Now you will, perhaps, imagine that Guapo, having sat so quiet during
all this scene, had no desire for a bit of roast-monkey to supper. In
that fancy, then, you would be quite astray from the truth. Guapo had a
_strong_ desire to eat roast marimonda that very night; and, had he not
been held back by Don Pablo, he would never have allowed the monkeys to
get quietly out of the zamang--for it being an isolated tree, it would
have afforded him a capital opportunity of "treeing" them. His blow-gun
had been causing his fingers to itch all the time; and as soon as Don
Pablo and the rest were satisfied with observing the monkeys, Guapo set
out, blow-gun in hand, followed by Leon.

There was no cover by which he might approach the group; and, therefore,
no course was left for him but to run up as quickly forward as possible
and take his chance of getting a shot as they made off.

This course he pursued; but, before he was within anything like fair
range, the monkeys, uttering their shrill screams, scampered over the
open ground, much faster than before, and took to the grove, from which
they had approached the spot.

Guapo followed at a slashing pace, and was soon under the trees, Leon at
his heels. Here they were met by a shower of sticks, pieces of bark,
half-eaten "peaches," and something that was far less pleasant to their
olfactory nerves! All these came from the tops of the trees--the very
tallest ones--to which the monkeys had retreated, and where they were
now hidden among the lli