nd that the lump was the result of an
expansion of the mouth from ear to ear. He was wide awake, gloating
over the proceedings of that little blue-bird, but he heard Lawrence
move, and turning his head slightly round, whispered--

"Dat am berry funny--i'n't it?"

The whisper slightly roused Manuela. She drew a long breath, vented a
deep sigh, and effectually blew the blue-bird away.

At the same moment the whole party was roused by a wild and
indescribable scream, followed by a magnificent flash of what seemed to
be coloured fire.

In his half-sleeping condition, Lawrence, believing it to be the
war-whoop of wild Indians, leaped up and grasped his cudgel, but nothing
was to be seen save the grinning face of Quashy and the amused looks of
Manuela and Pedro.

"Purrits," remarked the negro, by way of explanation.

"What do you mean by purrits?" demanded Lawrence, half ashamed of his
alarm.

"I mean what I says, massa,--purrits."

"He means parrots," said Pedro, with a grave smile, as he rose, and
proceeded to fold up the poncho on which he had lain. "We've had many a
song from these screamers, but I don't remember ever seeing such a big
flock come so near us, or scream so loud, before. They must have been
attracted by your pretty face, Manuela, and could not help shouting with
surprise at finding you asleep."

Manuela laughed lightly as she stepped out of her hammock.

"They've just roused us in good time," continued Pedro, looking up
between the tree-tops at the sky, "for the hut of the tiger-hunter is a
long way off, and I'm anxious to reach it before dark."

In a few minutes the hammock and other camp equipage was conveyed to one
of the native canoes, which lay close to the river's bank, our
travellers embarked, and ere long were far from the spot where the
siesta had been taken.

In the afternoon they stopped for a little to refresh themselves with
roasted parrot, chocolate, and biscuit.

Parrots are found everywhere and in great numbers in those regions
between the Atlantic and Pacific. They live and travel in large flocks,
and, as every one knows, they are remarkably fond of using their
discordant voices, much to the annoyance of sensitive travellers.
Fortunately such travellers do not often go to the wild regions of South
America,--when they do, they soon become un-sensitive. When parrots
assemble in a flock on the trees, they keep fluttering their wings with
a tremulous motion, bending down t