tain
a sago-like meal, which is made into a paste and dried in thin slices.
The sap is converted into palm-wine. The narrow scaled fruit, which
resembles reddish pine-cones, yields different articles of food,
according to the period at which it is gathered whether the saccharine
particles are fully matured, or whether it is still in a farinaceous
condition.

Such was the account Uncle Paul gave me. Why these Guaranis had
attacked us, it was hard to say, except that they had observed, when
watching our movements, some persons of an enemy's tribe in our company.
Kallolo and Maco belonged, they told us, to the Acawoios, a tribe
living towards the head waters of the Essequibo. They are superior in
domestic virtues to any other tribe, though warlike, and ready to defend
their country as bravely as any people. Their women are virtuous, good
housewives, and attentive to their husbands and male relatives, both in
sickness and old age; while the men, in return, pay them more respect
than do any other savage people. The young mother is never allowed to
work, or to prepare food for her husband, in order that she may attend
to her child. They are cleanly, hospitable, and generous, and
passionately fond of their children. They seldom talk above a whisper
among themselves, or get drunk or quarrel; nay, more, an angry look is
never discernible among them. They use tobacco, but do not chew or
smoke it; simply keeping it between the lips, for appeasing hunger and
keeping their teeth clean. Altogether, a more orderly and
peaceably-disposed people can scarcely be found anywhere.

Such was the account which Kallolo gave of his nation. Allowances must,
of course, be made; but still, from the specimens we saw, I am inclined
to think that it was in the main correct.

Uncle Paul was unwilling to delay any longer, and asked Maco if he was
ready to proceed. As Kallolo and Polo agreed to assist him, he replied
that he would do his best to get along, though he still felt very weak.
"We will wait a little longer, then," said Uncle Paul; and we resumed
our resting-place on the roots of the tree. Of such enormous size were
they, that we could all find accommodation without any danger of
slipping off. I got into a hollow of the roots, where I could rest with
perfect ease with my legs stretched out; and Uncle Paul found a place of
similar character close by me. He would, I believe, have given the
final order to proceed much sooner, but