o distinguish, not only the
movements of the men, but the expression upon their features. Both wore
a solemn cast, but those of the negro exhibited evidence of his being
influenced by a secret fear.

Near the bank, and where the stream was shallow, a large round boulder
of rock stood up out of the water. Towards this the two were directing
their steps.

At a signal from the Indian, the negro collected a number of dry sticks;
and having piled them upon the flat top of the rock, set them on fire.

In a short time the blaze shot up, and cast its red glare over the
stream, tinging with purple flakes the foam of the cataract.

The negro, after kindling the fire, seated himself on the bank, and
appeared to contemplate the blaze and its reflections with a feeling of
awe. The Indian, on the other hand, threw off his hat, and untwined the
plaits of his hair--black as the wing of the raven--whose age he
expected to attain. Leaving the long tresses to fall wildly over his
shoulders, he walked out into the water, and halted by the side of the
rock. The dragoon now saw for the first time a huge sea-shell--a
conch--in the hands of the Indian, which had hitherto hung by his side
suspended in a string. Placing the conch to his month, he blew several
loud, prolonged notes upon it, as if with the intention of arousing the
spirit of the waters. Then suffering the shell to fall back upon its
string, he commenced leaping around the rock in a sort of grotesque
dance, splashing and plunging through the water until the spray rose up
and wetted him over the crown of the head.

The whole spectacle was at once ludicrous and imposing. The stoical
composure of the negro, who sat perfectly silent upon the bank watching
with a solemn air the grotesque capers of his companion--the red light
reflected upon the savage figures of the two men--reflected also upon
the foaming cataract, which appeared to roll over the cliff like an
avalanche of fire--all combined to form a scene in which the ludicrous
and the sublime were singularly commingled.

Don Rafael might have desired to witness the _finale_; but time was
pressing, and he had a strong motive urging him to proceed upon his
journey.

"_Santos Dios_!" cried he, in an impatient tone, "I should like very
well to wait and see what pagan divinity these droll savages are
invoking; but it will not do to tarry longer here. I must onwards; and
to find my way it will be necessary to interrupt th