which on occasions was called into requisition as a sail. But Costal
threw out the matting, as there was no likelihood of its being required
upon the present occasion.

Having loosed the cord by which the canoe was attached to the branch of
a willow, the Indian leaped aboard, and seated himself near the stem.
The negro took his place abaft. A vigorous push was given against the
bank, the little craft shot out into the middle of the stream, and,
impelled by the paddle, commenced ascending the current.

The sun was still shining on the river, but with his last rays; and the
willows and _alamos_ that grew along the bank threw their trembling
shadows far over the water. The breeze of the desert sighed among their
leaves, bearing upon its wings sweet perfumes stolen from a thousand
flowers. It seemed the intoxicating incense of liberty.

Costal, an Indian and a hunter, inhaled it with an instinctive delight.
Clara was altogether insensible to the sweetness of the scene; and his
anxious countenance offered as great a contrast to the calm unmoved
features of his companion, as the black shadows of the trees thrown upon
the water with the brilliant hues of the sky.

The canoe for a time kept close along the bank, and followed the
windings of the stream. Here and there the bushes hung over; and in
passing such places Clara kept a sharp look out, in dread of seeing a
pair of fiery orbs glancing upon him through the leaves.

"_Por Dios_!" cried he, every time the canoe approached too closely to
the bank, "keep her farther off, friend Costal. Who knows but that the
jaguars may be up there, ready to spring down upon us?"

"Possible enough," rejoined Costal, vigorously plying his paddle; and
without giving any farther thought to the appeals of his companion.
"Possible enough; but I have my idea--"

"What is it?" asked Clara, interrupting him.

"A very simple one, and one which I have no doubt you will approve of."

"Let us hear it first."

"Well, then; there are two jaguars, without speaking of the brace of
_cachorros_. These I shall leave to you, since you have no weapon.
Your plan will be this: take up one of the whelps in each hand, and
break in their skulls, by striking them one against the rather. Nothing
can be more simple."

"On the contrary, friend Costal, it appears to me very complicated.
Besides, how can I lay hold upon them if they should run away?"

"Very likely, they will save you that trouble by lay