eral sheds, formed of bamboo
hurdles set up against the ground with sticks, like traps, were
grouped together. Under each was a hearth, a simple excavation,
two feet across and a few inches deep, and filled with ashes. A few
arrows, feathers and rude pieces of pottery were scattered around.
They greeted these Indian relics as Crusoe did the footprints of the
savages. Nor was it more reassuring to observe, among other callers
like themselves who had left their visiting-cards at the doors since
the departure of the proprietors, the sign-manual of jaguars and
tapirs, whose footprints were plainly visible on the gravel.

A close examination was made of every detail pertaining to the huts
and their accessories, and the interpreters were asked if it would be
prudent to encamp in a spot thus leased in advance. Pepe Garcia and
Aragon were of opinion that it would be better to pass the night
there, assuring their employers that there would be no danger in
sleeping among the teraphim of the savages, provided that nothing was
touched or displaced. Their motion was promptly adopted, to the great
discomfiture of the porters, who were poised on one foot ready for
flight. A salute of five shots was fired, with a vague intention
of giving any listeners the highest possible opinion of the white
explorers as a military power. An enormous fire was kindled, sentinels
were posted, and the party turned in, taking care, however, during the
whole night to close but one eye at a time.

[Illustration: "THEY GREETED THESE INDIAN RELICS AS CRUSOE DID THE
FOOTPRINTS OF THE SAVAGES."--P. 138.]

Day commenced to blush, when all ears were assaulted by a concerted
howl, proceeding from behind a bed of canes on the other side of the
river. "_Alerta! los Chunchos!_" cried the sentinel. The three words
produced a startling effect: the porters sprang up like frightened
deer; Mr. Marcoy grasped a sheaf of pencils and a box of water-colors
with a warlike air, and the colonel's lips were crisped into a
singular smile, indicative of lively emotions. Hardly were the
travelers clothed and armed when the reeds parted with a rattling
noise, and three nude Indians, sepia-colored and crowned with tufts of
hair like horses' tails, leaped out like jacks-in-the-box. At sight of
the party standing to receive them they redoubled their clamor, then,
flourishing their arms and legs and turning continually round, they
gradually revolved into the presence of the explorers