they seemed
almost supernatural, and a feeling of awe, somewhat allied to alarm,
crept over me; till I recollected that they were probably produced by
howling monkeys and other wild animals.

I kept, as may be supposed, a very sharp look-out, with my eyes
constantly turned to one side or the other, generally towards the
forest. Every now and then I threw a few sticks on the fire, to keep up
a bright blaze, so that I might not be caught unawares. Still, every
moment I half expected to see a jaguar or serpent, or perhaps a band of
wild Indians, creeping amid the trees towards us. All the time the
detestable mosquitoes were buzzing about my head, effectually preventing
me from going to sleep; and I wondered how my companions could contrive
to do so.

At length, at the end of two hours, my uncle awoke, and told me to lie
down. He was to take the next watch. I wrapped my face in a
handkerchief, and in spite of my apprehensions was soon fast asleep.

When morning broke, the gale was still blowing as hard as ever, as we
saw by the way the tree-tops moved. We were unable, therefore, to
continue our voyage. We could not help also feeling some anxiety about
the fate of the schooner; till the men observed that, as the wind was
off the shore, she would probably have run out to sea, or might have
remained safely at anchor.

Matters were now growing unpleasant, if not serious. My uncle told me
that he was more apprehensive of an attack from Indians than from wild
beasts, as a large and savage tribe--the Goahiras--inhabited the whole
region bordering the coast; and should any wandering party discover us,
and suppose that we were Republicans, they would certainly attack us and
put us to death, as they had been induced to side with the Spaniards.
We accordingly launched our boat, but found the water leak in so rapidly
that it was evident it would not do to put the baggage on board till the
last moment. As we had no more nails, we could not expect effectually
to stop the leak.

We had now exhausted all the biscuits, and were again very hungry.
Uncle Denis and I accordingly took our fowling-pieces and endeavoured to
make our way through the forest, in the hope of shooting some birds or
monkeys--indeed, any creature with flesh on its bones would have been
welcome. It was only with the greatest difficulty that we could advance
even a few steps, in consequence of the numberless creepers. Now and
then we caught a glimpse of g