nce, and naturally thinking it intended to
attack us, drew his pistol.

"You had better not, senor," cried Domingo; "you are very likely to
miss, and the brute will come after us. Let me take it in hand. Please
hold my horse."

Domingo dismounting, ran a short distance, to a place where we saw a
number of bamboos growing. He cut one with his sword, and then advanced
to fulfil his promise. The aquis had all the time remained perfectly
quiet, with its eyes fixed on us. As Domingo approached, the creature
put out its forked tongue, and raised itself higher in the water, as if
preparing to make a dart at its enemy. On this, Domingo retired to a
distance; but he and the snake continued to watch each other for some
minutes. Suddenly the aquis turned round, and began to swim to the
other side of the river. The moment Domingo observed its head turned
from him he rushed to the bank, and before it got beyond his reach gave
it three or four tremendous blows with the bamboo, which made it turn on
its back. Then following up the attack, he succeeded in killing the
creature. On measuring it, we found that it was upwards of six feet in
length.

"It never does to run from these creatures," observed Domingo, as he
remounted; "they will follow even a horse for a league or more, and move
as rapidly, provided the ground is not too dry."

In the meadows we observed large numbers of fine cattle.

"Ah, senor, you might have seen twice as many before the Spaniards
passed by," said Domingo; "but they slaughtered all they could get,
sometimes merely for the sake of their tongues. It is a pity that the
people should have rebelled against their lawful sovereign; and this is
the consequence."

Mr Laffan made no reply. It was as well, for our purpose, that Domingo
should appear so loyal.

In the woods, and often flying across the valley, we saw various kinds
of birds, macaws and parrots; some of the latter had yellow plumage on
the breast, wings, and tail, and red feathers on the head. We also met
with wild turkeys, grouse, and partridges in large numbers; and we
frequently caught sight of deer scampering over the hills. But
sometimes, during a whole day, we did not pass a single house of any
size, while the cottages of the peasantry were scattered at long
distances from each other.

As we proceeded down the valley, however, we saw a number of neat
country-houses and cottages; while the soil appeared to be fruitful in
the ex