of the water-hen--to which kind it is also assimilated in its habits.
It was the "faithful jacana," or "chuza," as it is called in some
places. There are several species of "jacana" in South America, and
also some species in the tropical countries of the East. That known as
the "faithful jacana" has a body about the size of a common fowl; but
its legs and neck are longer, so that when standing it is a foot and a
half in height. The body is of a brownish colour; and there is a crest
of twelve black feathers on the nape of the neck, three inches in
length. At the bend of the wings there are horny spurs, half an inch
long, with which the bird can defend itself when attacked. It is,
however, a pacific bird, and only uses them in defence. The most
singular character of the jacana is its long toes and claws. There are
four upon each foot: three in front, and one directed backwards, and
when standing these cover a base nearly as large as the body of the
bird; and, indeed, upon ordinary ground they interfere with the freedom
of its walking. But these spreading feet were not designed for ordinary
ground. They were given it to enable it to pass lightly _over_ the
leaves of water-lilies, and other yielding surfaces, through which a
narrow-footed bird would at once sink. Of course as nature designed
them for this purpose, they answer admirably, and the jacana skims along
the surface of lily-covered ponds or streams without sinking. From the
leaves it picks up such insects and larvae as lodge there, and which
form its principal food.
The jacana utters a singular cry when alarmed. It remains silent during
the whole day, and also at night, unless disturbed by the approach of
some danger, when it utters its "alarm cry." So quick is its ear, that
it can detect the least noise or rustling caused by any one approaching.
For this reason some tribes of Indians have tamed the jacana, and use
it as a sentinel or "watch-dog," to apprise them of the approach of
their enemies during the darkness of the night. Another use is also
made of it by the Spanish-Americans. It is tamed and allowed to go
about along with the domestic poultry. When these are attacked by hawks
or other birds of prey, the jacana defends them with its sharp
wing-spurs, and generally succeeds in beating off the enemy. It never
deserts the flock, but accompanies it in all its movements, and will
defend its charge with great fury and courage.
Besides the water-birds which were noticed by our travellers, many kinds
were seen by them upon the shore and fluttering among the trees. There
were parrots in flocks, and macaws in pairs--for these birds usually go
in twos--there were trogons, and great billed toucans, and their kindred
the aracaris; and there, too, were "umbrella-chatterers," of which there
is a species quite white; and upon a fruit-covered tree, not far off,
they saw a flock of the snow-white "bell-birds" (_Casmarhynchos_).
These are about as large as blackbirds, with broad bills, from the base
of which grows a fleshy tubercle that hangs down to the length of nearly
three inches, like that of the turkey-cock. The name of "bell-birds" is
given to them on account of the clear, bell-like ring of their note,
which they utter about the middle of the day, when most other creatures
of the tropical world are in silence or asleep.
Of course Don Pablo as a naturalist was interested in all those birds,
and observed their habits and movements with attention. There was none
of them about which he had not some strange story to tell, and in this
way he was beguiling the after-supper hour. It was too early for them
to go to rest--indeed it was not quite sunset; and Guapo for one had not
yet had his supper, although that meal was now very near at hand. The
marimonda was becoming charred and black, and would soon be ready for
mastication.
Guapo sat by the fire, now and again raking up the cinders with a long
pole which he held in his hand, while his eyes from time to time rested
on the marimonda that was directly in front of him, _vis-a-vis_.
At length the monkey appeared to him to be "done to a turn," and with
his _machete_ in one hand, and a forked stick in the other, he was just
bending forward to lift it off the fire, when, to his horror, the ground
was felt to move beneath him, causing him to stagger, and almost
throwing him from his feet! Before he could recover himself, the
surface again heaved up, and a loud report was heard, like the explosion
of some terrible engine. Then another upheaval--another report--the
ground opened into a long fissure--the staging of palms, and the
half-burned cinders, and the charred monkey, were flung in all
directions, and Guapo himself went sprawling upon his back!
Was it an earthquake? So thought the others, who were now on their feet
running about in great consternation--the females screaming loudly. So,
too, thought Guapo for the moment.
Their belief in its being an earthquake, however, was of short duration.
The shocks continued; the dried mud flew about in large pieces, and the
burnt wood and splinters were showered in the air. The smoke of these
covered the spot, and prevented a clear view; but through the smoke the
terrified spectators could perceive that some large body was in motion--
apparently struggling for life! In another moment it broke through the
bending stratum of mud, causing a long rift, and there was displayed
before their eyes the hideous form of a gigantic crocodile!
Though not quite so terrible as an earthquake, it was a fearful monster
to behold. It was one of the largest, being nearly twenty feet in
length, with a body thicker than that of a man. Its immense jaws were
of themselves several feet long, and its huge tusks, plainly seen, gave
it a most frightful appearance. Its mouth was thrown open, as though it
gasped for air, and a loud bellowing proceeded from its throat that
sounded like a cross between the grunting of a hog and the lowing of a
bull. The air was filled with a strong musky odour, which emanated from
the body of the animal; and, what with the noise made by the crocodile
itself, the screams and shouts of the party, the yelling of the various
birds--for they, too, had taken up the cue--there was for some moments
an utter impossibility of any voice being heard above the rest. It was,
indeed, a scene of confusion. Don Pablo and his companions were running
to and fro--Guapo was tumbling about where he had fallen--and the great
lizard was writhing and flapping his tail, so that pots, pans,
half-burnt faggots, and even Guapo's monkey, were being knocked about in
every direction.
Of course such a violent scene could not be of long duration. It must
end one way or the other. Guapo, who soon came to himself, now that he
saw what it was that had pitched him over, had already conceived a plan
for terminating it. He ran for his axe, which fortunately lay out of
the range of the crocodile's tail, and having laid his hands upon it, he
approached in a stealthy manner with the intention of striking a blow.
He directed himself towards the root of the reptile's tail, for he knew
that that was the only place where a blow of the axe would cripple it;
but, just as he was getting within reach, the crocodile suddenly shifted
himself round, making his tail fly like a piece of sprung whalebone.
Guapo leaped hastily back,--as hastily, I will make bold to say, as any
Indian of his years could have done, but not quick enough to clear
himself quite. He wanted about eight inches; but in this case inches
were as good as miles for the crocodile's purpose, for about eight
inches of the tip of his tail came "smack" across Guapo's naked shins,
and sent the old Indian head over heels.
It was just an accident that Guapo's shanks were not broken like sticks
of sealing-wax; and had the blow been directed with the crocodile's full
force, such would have been the unhappy result. As it was they were
only "scratched," and Guapo, leaping to his feet, ran to recover his
axe, for that weapon had flown several yards out of his hands at the
blow.
By the time he laid hold of it, however, the _saurian_ was no longer on
dry ground. His newly-opened eyes--opened, perhaps, for the first time
for months--caught sight of the water close by, and crawling forward a
step or two, he launched his ugly, mud-bedaubed carcass into the welcome
element. The next moment he had dived, and was out of sight.
CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.
THE CROCODILE AND CAPIVARAS.
Guapo was in no humour for enjoying the conversation of that evening.
The crocodile had "choused" him out of his favourite supper. The monkey
was literally knocked to "smithereens," and the pieces that still
adhered together were daubed all over with mud. It wasn't fit meat--
even for an Indian--and Guapo had to content himself with a dried
plantain and a stew of jerked horse-flesh.
Of course Don Pablo and the rest examined with curiosity the great hole
in the mud that had contained the crocodile. There it had lain during
months of the dry season in a state of torpidity, and would, no doubt,
have remained still longer, but that it was aroused by the big fire that
Guapo had built over it. The irritation produced by this had been the
cause of its sudden resurrection, for the crocodiles that thus bury
themselves usually come out after the beginning of the heavy rains.
It was a true long-snouted crocodile, as Don Pablo had observed in the
short opportunity he had had; and not an alligator--for it must be here
remarked, that the true crocodile is found in many parts of Spanish
America, and also in many of the West India Islands. For a long time it
was believed that only alligators existed in America, and that the
crocodiles were confined to the Eastern Continent. It is now known that
at least one species of crocodile is an American animal, and several
distinct species of alligators are inhabitants of the New World. There
is the alligator of the Mississippi--which is the "caiman" or "cayman"
of the Spanish Americans; there is the spectacled alligator (_Alligator
sclerops_), a southern species, so called from a pair of rings around
its eyes having a resemblance to spectacles; and there is a still
smaller species called the "bava," which is found in Lake Valencia, and
in many South American rivers. The last kind is much hunted by the
Indians, who, although they eat parts of all these creatures, are fonder
of the flesh of the bava than of any of the others.
They had not intended to keep watch this night, as the naked promontory
seemed to be a safe place to sleep upon; but now, after their adventure
with the crocodile, they changed their minds, and they resolved to mount
guard as before. The monster might easily crawl out of the water again,
and, judging from the size of his mouth, it is not improbable to suppose
that he might have swallowed one of the smaller individuals of the party
at a single effort. Lest he might return to use either his teeth or his
tail, the watch was set as on other nights--Leon taking the first turn,
Guapo the second, and Don Pablo sitting it out till daybreak. The night
passed through, however, without any unusual disturbance; and although
an occasional plunge was heard in the water close by, no more was seen
of the crocodile until morning.
I have said _until_ morning--for he was seen then. Yes! indeed. That
beauty was not going to let them off without giving them another peep at
him--not he.
They were awake and up before day; and as the fire had been kept burning
all night, they had now nothing more to do than rake up the embers, and
hang on the coffee-kettle. It was not yet bright day when breakfast was
already cooked, and they sat down to eat it.
While engaged in this operation, they noticed a string of flamingoes on
the muddy promontory, at the end where it joined the land. They were
ranged in line, like soldiers, some of them balanced on one long thin
leg, as these birds do. They appeared in the grey light to be unusually
tall; but when it became a little clearer, our travellers could perceive
that they were not upon the ground, but standing upon an old log. This,
of course, made them look taller. They were just in the _very_ track by
which Guapo and Leon had passed to get the wood the evening before.
Now, neither Guapo nor Leon remembered any log. They were certain there
was none there, else they would have cut it up for fire-wood, that was a
sure thing; and it was very mysterious who could have rolled a log there
during the night!
While discussing this point it became clearer; and, to the astonishment
of all, what they had taken to be an old log turned out to be nothing
else than their old friend the crocodile! I have said to the
astonishment of all--that is not strictly correct. Guapo saw nothing to
astonish him in that sight. He had witnessed a similar one many a time,
and so does every one who travels either on the Amazon or the Orinoco.
These flamingoes were perfectly safe, so far as the crocodile was
concerned, and they knew it. As long as they kept out of the reach of
his jaws and tail, he could not hurt them. Although he could bend
himself to either side, so as to "kiss" the tip of his own tail, he
could not reach any part of his back, exert himself as he might. This
the flamingoes and other birds well know, and these creatures being fond
of a place to perch upon, often avail themselves of the long serrated
back of the crocodile, or the caiman.
As the day became brighter the flamingoes sat still--not appearing to be
alarmed by the movements at the camp, which was about an hundred yards
distant from their perch. It was likely they had never been frightened
by the hunter, for these birds in districts where they are hunted are
exceedingly shy. All at once, however, as if by a given signal, the
whole flock rose together, and flew off with loud screams. The
crocodile, too, was seen to move, but it was not this which had scared
them off. It was after they had gone that he had stirred himself; and,
even had it not been so, they would not have regarded his movements, as
these birds are often seen perched upon a _crawling_ crocodile!
No. Something else had affrighted them, and that was a noise in the
bushes beyond, which was now distinctly heard at the camp. There was a
rustling of leaves and a crackling of branches, as if more than one
creature made the noise. So it appeared, for the next moment nearly a
score of animals dashed out of the bushes, and ran on towards the water.
These creatures were odd enough to fix the attention of the party at the
camp. They were about the size of small hogs--very much of the same
build--and covered with a thin sandy bristly hair, just like some hogs
are. They were not "pigheaded," however. Their heads were exactly like
those of the grey rabbit, and instead of hoofs they were toed and
clawed. This gave them altogether a lighter appearance than hogs, and
yet they did not run as fast, although when first noticed they appeared
to be doing their best.
Our travellers knew them at once, for they _were_ animals that are
common upon the rivers in all the warm parts of South America. They
were "_capivaras_," or "chiguires," as they are also called. These
creatures are peculiar to the American continent. They are, in fact,
"guinea-pigs" on a large scale, and bear the greatest resemblance to
those well-known animals, except in size and colour; for the capivaras
are of a uniform sandy brown. They are of the same genus as the
guinea-pigs, though the systematisers have put them into a separate one,
and have also made a third genus to suit another animal of very similar
shape and habits. This is the "moco," which is between the guinea-pig
and capivara in size, and of a greyish olive colour. All three are
natives of South America, and in their wild state are found only there,
though from the absurd name "guinea-pig," you may be led to think that
this little creature came originally from Africa.
The three are all "rodent" animals, and the capivara is the largest
"rodent" that is known. It, moreover, is amphibious, quite as much so
as the tapir, and it is found only near the banks of rivers. It is more
at home in the water than on dry land, or perhaps it has more numerous
enemies on land; though, poor, persecuted creature! it is not without
some in either element, as will be seen by what follows.
The drove of capivaras counted nearly a score, and they were making for
the water as fast as their legs could carry them. The crocodile lay
directly across their path, but their black eyes, large and prominent,
seemed to be occupied with something behind; and they had run up almost
against the body of the reptile before they saw it. Uttering a sort of
squeak they made a half-pause. Some sprang up and leaped over--others
attempted to go round. All succeeded except one; but the crocodile, on
seeing their approach--no doubt it was for this he had been in wait all
the morning--had thrown himself into the form of a half-moon; and as
they passed he let fly at them. His powerful tail came "flap" against
the nearest, and it was pitched several yards, where, after a kick or
two, it lay upon its side as dead as a herring, a door-nail, or even
Julius Caesar--take your choice.
CHAPTER THIRTY NINE.
FIGHT OF THE JAGUAR AND CROCODILE.
The chiguires that escaped past the crocodile, the next instant plunged
into the river, and disappeared under the water. They would come to the
surface for breath in ten or twelve minutes, but at such a distance off
that they needed no longer fear pursuit from the same enemy.
Our travellers took no notice of them from the moment they were fairly
out of the bushes. They saw that the crocodile had knocked one of them
over; but the eyes of Guapo and Don Pablo were directed upon a different
place--the point at which the chiguires had sallied out of the
underwood. These knew that the animals had not issued forth in their
natural way, as if they were going to the stream to drink, or in search
of food. No--quite different. Their bristles were erect--they were
excited--they were terrified--beyond a doubt they were pursued!
Who or what was their pursuer? It might be an ocelot, or the
yaguarundi, or some one of the smaller cats; for many of these prey on
the defenceless capivara. It _might_ be one of these, thought Don Pablo
and Guapo; but what if it was not? What else could it be? What else?
_The jaguar_!
It _was_ the jaguar! As they stood gazing with looks full of
apprehension, the leaves of the underwood were seen to move, and then a
beautiful but terrible object, the spotted head of a jaguar, was thrust
forth. It remained a moment as if reconnoitring, and then the whole
body, bright and glistening, glided clear of the leaves, and stood
boldly out in front of the underwood. Here it halted another moment--
only a moment. The crocodile had turned itself, and was about closing
its jaws upon the body of the chiguire, when the jaguar seeing this,
uttered a loud scream, and making one bound forward, seized the dead
animal almost at the same instant.
They were now face to face,--the great lizard and the great cat; and
their common prey was between them. Each had a firm hold with his
powerful jaws, and each appeared determined to keep what he had got.
The yellow eyes of the jaguar seemed to flash fire, and the black sunken
orbs of the saurian glared with a lurid and deadly light. It was a
terrible picture to look upon.
For some seconds both remained apparently gazing into each other's eyes,
and firmly holding the prey between them. The tail of the jaguar
vibrated in sudden angry jerks, while that of the crocodile lay bent
into a semicircle, as if ready to be sprung at a moment's notice.
This inaction did not last long. The fury of the jaguar was evidently
on the increase. He was indignant that he, the king of the American
forest, should thus meet with opposition to his will; and, indeed, the
crocodile was about the only creature in all the wide Montana that dare
oppose him in open fight. But he was determined to conquer even this
enemy, and for that purpose he prepared himself.
Still holding on to the capivara, and watching his opportunity, he
sprang suddenly forward, throwing one of his great paws far in advance.
His object was to _claw the eye_ of his adversary; for he well knew that
the latter was vulnerable neither upon its long snout, nor its gaunt
jaws, nor even upon the tough scaly skin of its throat. Its eyes alone
could be injured, and these were the objects of the jaguar's attack.
The thrust was a failure. The crocodile had anticipated such a
manoeuvre, and suddenly raising himself on his fore-legs, threw up one
of his great scaly hands and warded off the blow. The jaguar fearing to
be clutched between the strong fore-arms of the saurian, drew back to
his former position.
This manoeuvre, and its counter-manoeuvre, were repeated several times,
and although each time the struggle lasted a little longer than before,
and there was a good deal of lashing of tails and tearing of teeth, and
scratching of claws, still neither of the combatants seemed to gain any
great advantage. Both were now at the height of their fury, and a third
enemy approaching the spot would not have been heeded by either.
From the first the head of the crocodile had been turned to the water,
from which he was not distant over ten feet. He had, in fact, been
carrying his prey towards it when he was interrupted by the attack of
the jaguar; and now at every fresh opportunity he was pushing on, bit by
bit, in that direction. He knew that in his own proper element he would
be more than a match for his spotted assailant, and no doubt he might
have escaped from the contest by surrendering his prey. Had he been a
smaller crocodile he would have been only too glad to have done so; but
trusting to his size and strength, and perhaps not a little to the
justice of his cause, he was determined not to go without taking the
capivara along with him.
The jaguar, on the other hand, was just as determined he should not. He
too, had some rights. The capivara would not have been killed so
easily, had he not frightened it from behind; besides, the crocodile was
out of his element. He was poaching on the domain of the forest
monarch.
Bit by bit, the crocodile was gaining ground--at each fresh pause in the
struggle he was forging forward, pushing the chiguire before him, and of
course causing his antagonist to make ground backwards.
The jaguar at length felt his hind-feet in the water; and this seemed to
act upon him like a shock of electricity. All at once he let go his
hold of the capivara, ran a few feet forward, and then flattening his
body along the ground, prepared himself for a mighty spring. Before a
second had passed, he launched his body high into the air, and descended
upon the back of the crocodile just over his fore-shoulders! He did not
settle there, but ran nimbly down the back of the saurian towards its
hinder part, and his claws could be heard rattling against its scaly
skin. In a moment more he was seen close-squatted along the crocodile's
body, and with his teeth tearing fiercely at the root of its tail. He
knew that after the eyes this was the most vulnerable part of his
antagonist, and if he had been allowed but a few minutes' time, he would
soon have disabled the crocodile; for to have seriously wounded the root
of his tail, would have been to have destroyed his essential weapon of
offence.
The jaguar would have succeeded had the encounter occurred only a dozen
yards farther from the water. But the crocodile was close to the
river's edge, and perceiving the advantage against him, and that there
was no hope of dismounting his adversary, he dropped the capivara, and
crawling forward, plunged into the water. When fairly launched, he shot
out from the shore like an arrow, carrying the jaguar along, and the
next moment he had dived to the depth of the stream. The water was
lashed into foam by the blows of his feet and tail; but in the midst of
the froth, the yellow body of the jaguar was seen rising to the surface,
and after turning once or twice, as if searching for his hated enemy,
the creature headed for the bank and climbed out. He stood for a moment
looking back into the stream. He appeared less cowed than angry and
disappointed. He seemed to vow a future revenge; and then seizing the
half-torn carcass of the capivara, he threw it lightly over his shoulder
and trotted off into the thicket.
Our travellers had not watched this scene either closely or
continuously. They had been too busy all the time. From its
commencement they had been doing all in their power to get away from the
spot; for they dreaded lest the jaguar might either first overpower the
crocodile and then attack them, or being beaten off by the latter, might
take it into his head to revenge himself by killing whatever he could.
With these apprehensions, therefore, they had hastily carried everything
aboard, and drawing in their cable, pushed the balza from the shore.
When the fight came to an end, they had got fairly into the current, and
just as the jaguar disappeared, the raft was gliding swiftly down the
broad and rippling stream.
CHAPTER FORTY.
ADVENTURE WITH AN ANACONDA.