ay-plumaged birds amid the few openings
between the branches; but to shoot them was impossible, and we heard the
monkeys chattering, and nuts and broken twigs came rattling down on our
heads as the nimble creatures leaped from tree to tree.

We dared not venture far into the forest, for fear of losing our way;
besides which, it was necessary to proceed very cautiously, lest we
should be surprised by a jaguar or tread on any venomous serpent. We
neither of us at that time, it must be remembered, had any experience of
tropical forests, or we might have been more successful.

At length we were making our way back to the river, when just as we got
in sight of it we heard a rustling among the foliage. My uncle signed
to me to stop, and I fully expected to see a jaguar springing towards
us. He advanced cautiously a few paces; then stopped a moment, and
fired. At the same instant I saw a good-sized deer, which had been
going towards the water to drink. The animal made one spring, and then
fell over dead. With an exulting shout of satisfaction my uncle dashed
forward, and I followed him; while the men, hearing our voices, came
running up, and quickly bore the deer to our camp.

While Uncle Denis and I relighted our fire, which had gone out, the men
skinned and cut up the animal, and we soon had some slices roasting on
forked sticks.

"If we had had some nails, this deer-skin would have assisted famously
to patch up our boat," observed one of the men.

"Though we have no nails, we may secure it under her bottom with ropes,
and perhaps it will answer as well," said my uncle.

His suggestion was acted on; and again hauling up the boat, we covered
the hairy side of the skin thickly with mud, and then lashed it to the
bows, bringing one end up above water. On once more launching the boat,
we found that the plan succeeded beyond our expectations, but little
water leaking in.

Our patience was still to be tried: as yet the gale gave no signs of
abating. As we had a good supply of food, we had no cause to complain,
except on account of the delay. No one expected us at Cervanos, and the
captain of the schooner knew well that his boat could not cross the bar.
Our principal cause of anxiety was, that the Goahira Indians might
discover us, and perhaps commence an attack before we had time to let
them know that we were English. Uncle Denis thought it prudent,
therefore, to reload the boat, that we might be ready to shove of