rees as we paddled forward.

Having performed a long distance before night approached, it was
considered that we might with safety land and sleep on shore, our bongo
affording us no room to stretch our legs. We accordingly landed at the
end of a canal through which we had been passing; and a space was
quickly cleared for an encampment. Having the channel on one side and
the lake on the other, we had only two sides to guard. A fire was soon
lighted, and Tim set to work to cook our supper; while we put up our
mosquito-curtains, and collected some dry leaves to form our couches.

The mosquito-curtains, I should say, were supported on four short poles
stuck in the ground, on which rested four others, so that the whole
arrangement looked like a long narrow box covered with fine muslin.
Without these contrivances it is utterly impossible to sleep with any
degree of comfort on the banks of the Magdalena, or indeed of most of
the rivers in that part of the country. There is only one opening,
through which the person must creep, and then close it tightly on the
inside.

To prevent surprise, we agreed to keep a vigilant watch. The first turn
fell to me. I wondered that anybody could go to sleep with the terrific
noises which came out of the forest. The howling monkeys were the most
vociferous--now uttering loud groans, now yells of laughter and other
strange sounds, truly making night hideous. Nearer at hand I could hear
the alligators snapping their jaws as they caught some unfortunate fish
or wild-fowl; while their snorts, as they chased each other, came from
all sides. I kept my eye on the bank, for I had heard that the savage
creatures often climb out of the water, and carry away the first person
they can find. The doctor's dog seemed to be well aware of this; for he
crouched down close to the fire, with one of his eyes always open,
either at the water, or towards the forest, from whence a jaguar might
spring and carry him off.

I soon got accustomed to the sounds of the howling monkeys, the cries of
the night-birds, and any other noises which came out of the forest; but
I never could feel comfortable while I heard that horrible snapping and
crunching made by the alligators. While on the watch, there was no
chance of becoming drowsy, for the mosquitoes all the time made the most
determined assaults on my face, and I had to keep my handkerchief
constantly on the move to prevent them from settling. Fortunately, t