however short a distance, should have been attempted by human beings.
No doubt to many it _will_ appear so, and be set down as ludicrously
improbable. Twenty minutes passed in the shadowy gloom of a South
American forest would strip the idea of travelling among the tree-tops
of much of its improbability. In many places such a feat is quite
possible, and comparatively easy,--perhaps not so "easy as rolling off a
log," but almost as much so as climbing to the top of one. In the great
_montana_ of the Amazon there are stretches of forest, miles in extent,
where the trees are so matted and interlaced as to form one continuous
"arbour," each united to its immediate neighbours by natural stays and
cables, to which the meshes formed by the rigging of a ship are as an
open network in comparison. In the midst of this magnificent luxuriance
of vegetable life, there are birds, beasts, and insects that never set
foot upon the ground;--birds in a vast variety of genera and species;
beasts--I mean quadrupeds--of many different kinds; insects of countless
orders; quadrumana that never touched _terra firma_ with any of their
four hands; and, I had almost added, _man_. He, too, if not exclusively
confining himself to the tops of these forest-trees, may make them
habitually his home, as shall be seen in the sequel.
It was no great feat, then, for the Mundurucu and his acolyte to make a
short excursion across the "spray" of the forest, since this is the very
timber that is so tied together. There was even less of danger than in
a tract of woods growing upon the highlands or "Campos." A fall into
the Gapo could only entail a ducking, with a brief interruption of the
journey.
It does not follow that their progress must be either swift or direct.
That would depend upon the character of the trees and their parasites,--
whether the former grew close together, and whether the latter were
numerous and luxuriant, or of scanty growth. To all appearance, Nature
in that spot had been beneficent, and poured forth her vegetable
treasures profusely.
The Indian, glancing through the branches, believed there would be no
more difficulty in getting to the other side of the belt of timber that
separated them from the open water, than in traversing a thicket of
similar extent. With this confidence he set forth, followed by his less
experienced companion. Both began and continued their monkey-like march
in the most profound silence.
They knew that it was possible and easy for the alligator to bear them
company; for although they were forced to pass through an almost
impervious thicket, down on the water it was altogether different.
There was nothing to impede the progress of the saurian, huge as it was,
except the trunks of the trees.
To tell the truth, it was a toilsome trip, and both the travellers were
weary of it long before coming within sight of the open water on the
opposite side. Often were they compelled to carry their own weight on
the strength of their arms, by hoisting themselves from tree to tree.
Many a _detour_ had they to make, sometimes on account of the
impenetrable network of creepers, and sometimes because of open water,
that, in pools, interrupted their route.
The distance to be traversed was not over two hundred yards. At
starting they knew not how far, but it proved about this measure. If
they had made their calculation according to time, they might have
estimated it at half a score of miles. They were a good hour and a half
on the journey; but the delay, with all its kindred regrets, was
forgotten, when they saw the open water before them, and soon after
found themselves on the selvage of the submerged forest.
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.
A TIMELY WARNING.
On arriving among the outside frees, our explorers, homeward bound, saw
something to cheer them,--something besides the bright sun and the
shining waters of the Gapo. It was the sapucaya, still bearing its
stupendous fruit, the friends they had left behind them. The Paraense
appeared to be counting them, as if to make sure that all were still
safe upon the tree. Perhaps he was only intent on the discovery of one,
or, having discovered, was feeding his eyes upon her form, slender and
graceful in the distance. He would have shouted to apprise them of the
safety of himself and companion, had not a sign from the latter,
accompanied by a few muttered words, counselled him to hold his peace.
"Why not, Munday?"
"Not a word, young master. We are not yet out of the woods; the jacare
may hear us."
"We left it far behind in the igarape."
"Ah, true! Who knows where he may be now? Not the Mundurucu. The
monster may have followed us. Who knows? He may be at this moment
within twenty yards, waiting for us to come back into the water."
As he spoke, the Indian looked anxiously behind him. He could discover
no cause of alarm. All was still under the shadow of the trees. Not
even a ripple could be seen upon the sombre surface of the water.
"I think we've given it the slip," remarked Richard.
"It looks so," responded the Indian. "The Mundurucu hears no sound,
sees no sign. The jacare should still be in the igarape."
"Why should we delay any longer? Several hours have elapsed since we
left the sapucaya. My uncle and everybody else will be out of all
patience. They will be distracted with sheer anxiety. They look as if
they were. Though we have a good view of them, I don't suppose they see
us. If they did, they would be hailing us, that's certain. Let us take
to the water, and rejoin them."
The Mundurucu, after looking once more to the rear, and listening for a
few moments, replied, "I think we may venture."
This was the cue for young Trevannion, and, lowering himself from the
limb on which he was supported, the two almost at the same instant
committed themselves to the flood. Scarce had they touched the water
when their ears were assailed by a shout that came pealing across the
Gapo. It neither startled nor surprised them, for they could not fail
to comprehend its meaning. It was a cheer sent forth from the sapucaya,
announcing their reappearance to the eyes of their anxious companions.
Stimulated by the joyous tones, the two swimmers struck boldly out into
the open water.
Richard no longer thought of looking behind him. In a hasty glance
directed towards the sapucaya, as he rose after his first plunge upon
the water, he had seen something to lure him on, at the same time
absorbing all his reflections. He had seen a young girl, standing erect
within the fork of the tree, throw up her arms as if actuated by some
sudden transport of joy. What could have caused it but the sight of
him?
The mind of the Mundurucu was far differently employed. His thoughts
were retrospective, not prospective. So, too, were his glances.
Instead of looking forward to inquire what was going on among the
branches of the sapucaya, he carried his beardless chin upon his
shoulder, keeping his eyes and ears keenly intent to any sight or sound
that might appear suspicious behind him. His caution, as was soon
proved, was neither unnatural nor superfluous, nor yet the counsel given
to his companion to swim as if some swift and terrible pursuer were
after him; for although the Indian spoke from mere conjecture, his words
were but too true.
The swimmers had traversed about half the space of open water that lay
between the sapucaya and the submerged forest. The Indian had purposely
permitted himself to fall into the wake of his companion, in order that
his backward view might be unobstructed. So far, no alligator showed
itself behind them, no enemy of any kind; and in proportion as his
confidence increased, he relaxed his vigilance. It seemed certain the
jacare had given up the chase. It could not have marked their movements
among the tree-tops, and in all likelihood the monster was still keeping
guard near the opening of the igarape. Too happy to arrive at this
conclusion, the Indian ceased to think of a pursuit, and, after making
an effort, overtook the young Paraense, the two continuing to swim
abreast. As there no longer appeared any reason for extraordinary
speed, the swimmers simultaneously suspended the violent exertions they
had been hitherto making, and with relaxed stroke kept on towards the
sapucaya.
It was fortunate for both that other eyes than their own were turned
upon that stretch of open water. Had it not been so, the silent
swimmer, far swifter than they, coming rapidly up in their rear, might
have overtaken them long before reaching the tree. The shout sent forth
from the sapucaya, in which every voice bore a part, warned them of some
dread danger threatening near. But for late experience, they might not
have known on which side to look for it; but, guided by this, they
instinctively looked back. The jacare, close behind, was coming on as
fast as his powerful tail, rapidly oscillating from side to side, could
propel him. It was fortunate for the two swimmers they had heard that
warning cry in time. A score of seconds made all the difference in
their favour, all the difference between life and death. It was their
destiny to live, and not die then in the jaws of the jacare. Before the
ugly reptile, making all the speed in its power, could come up with
either of them, both, assisted by willing hands, had climbed beyond its
reach, and could look upon it without fear from among the branches of
the sapucaya.
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.
IMPROVISED SWIMMING-BELTS.
The huge saurian swam on to the tree,--to the very spot where Richard
and the Mundurucu had climbed up, at the forking of the stem. On
perceiving that its prey had for a second time got clear, its fury
seemed to break all bounds. It lashed the water with its tail, closed
its jaws, with a loud clattering, and gave utterance to a series of
sounds, that could only be compared to a cross between the bellowing of
a bull and the grunting of a hog.
Out in the open light of the sun, and swimming conspicuously upon the
surface of the water, a good view of the reptile could now be obtained;
but this did not improve the opinion of it already formed by Richard.
It looked, if possible, uglier than when seen in shadow; for in the
light the fixed leer of its lurid eye, and the ghastly blood-coloured
inside of the jaws, at intervals opened, and showing a triple row of
terrible teeth, were more conspicuous and disgusting. Its immense bulk
made it still more formidable to look upon. Its body was full eight
yards in length, and of proportionate thickness,--measuring around the
middle not less than a fathom and a half; while the lozenge-like
protuberances along its spine rose in pointed pyramids to the height of
several inches.
No wonder that little Rosa uttered a shriek of terror on first beholding
it; no wonder that brave young Ralph trembled at the sight. Even
Trevannion himself, with the negro and Tipperary Tom, regarded the
reptile with fear. It was some time before they felt sure that it could
not crawl up to them. It seemed for a time as if it meant to do so,
rubbing its bony snout against the bark, and endeavouring to clasp the
trunk with its short human-like arms. After several efforts to ascend,
it apparently became satisfied that this feat was not to be performed,
and reluctantly gave up the attempt; then, retreating a short distance,
began swimming in irregular circles around the tree, all the while
keeping its eye fixed upon the branches.
After a time, the castaways only bent their gaze upon the monster at
intervals, when some new manoeuvre attracted their notice. There was no
immediate danger to be dreaded from it; and although its proximity was
anything but pleasant, there were other thoughts equally disagreeable,
and more important, to occupy their time and attention. They could not
remain all their lives in the sapucaya; and although they knew not what
fortune awaited them in the forest, beyond, they were all anxious to get
there.
Whether it was altogether a flooded forest, or whether there might not
be some dry land in it, no one could tell. In the Mundurucu's opinion
it was the former: and in the face of this belief, there was not much
hope of their finding a foot of dry land. In any case, the forest must
be reached, and all were anxious to quit their quarters on the sapucaya,
under the belief that they would find others more comfortable. At all
events, a change could not well be for the worse.
Munday had promised them the means of transport, but how this was to be
provided none of them as yet knew. The time, however, had arrived for
him to declare his intentions, and this he proceeded to do; not in
words, but by deeds that soon made manifest his design.
It will be remembered that, after killing the macaws, he had tapped the
seringa, and "drawn" two cups full of the sap,--that he had bottled it
up in the pots, carefully closing the lids against leakage. It will
also be remembered, that he had provided himself with a quantity of
creepers, which he had folded into a portable bundle. These were of a
peculiar sort,--the true sipos of the South American forest, which serve
for all purposes of cordage, ropes ready made by the hand of Nature. On
parting from the seringa, he had brought these articles along with him,
his companion carrying a share of the load. Though chased by the
jacare, and close run too, neither had abandoned his bundle,--tied by
sipos around the neck,--and both the bottled caoutchouc and the cordage
were now in the sapucaya. What they were intended for no one could
guess, until it pleased the Indian to reveal his secret; and this he at
length did, by collecting a large number of nuts from the sapucaya,--
Ralph and Richard acting as his aides,--emptying them of their
three-cornered kernels, restoring the lids, and then making them
"water-proof" by a coating of the caoutchouc.
Soon all became acquainted with his plans, when they saw him bind the
hollow shells into bunches, three or four in each, held together by
sipos, and then with a stronger piece of the same parasite attach the
bunches two and two together, leaving about three feet of the twisted
sipos between.
"Swimming-belts!" cried Ralph, now for the first time comprehending the
scheme. Ralph was right. That was just what the Mundurucu had
manufactured,--a set of _swimming-belts_.
CHAPTER THIRTY.
ALLIGATOR LORE.
For an hour the castaways remained in the tree, chafing with impatience
and chagrin that their awful enemy still kept his savage watch for them
in the Gapo below, gliding lazily to and fro, but ever watching them
with eager, evil eye. But there was no help for it; and by way of
possessing their souls in more patience, and making time pass quicker,
they fell to conversing on a subject appropriate to the occasion, for it
was the jacare itself, or rather alligators in general. Most of the
questions were put by Trevannion, while the answers were given by the
Mundurucu, whose memory, age, and experience made him a comprehensive
cyclopaedia of alligator lore.
The Indian, according to his own account, was acquainted with live or
six different kinds of jacare. They were not all found in one place,
though he knew parts of the country where two or three kinds might be
found dwelling in the same waters; as, for instance, the jacare-uassu
(great alligator), the same as was then besieging them, and which is
sometimes called the black jacare, might often be seen in the same pool
with the jacare-tinga, or little alligator. Little jacare was not an
appropriate name for this last species. It was four feet long when full
grown, and he knew of others, as the jacare-curua, that never grew above
two. These kinds frequented small creeks, and were less known than the
others, as it was only in certain places they were found. The jacares
were most abundant in the dry season. He did not suppose they were
really more numerous, only that they were then collected together in the
permanent lakes and pools. Besides, the rivers were then lower, and as
there was less surface for them to spread over, they were more likely to
be seen. As soon as the _echente_ commenced, they forsook the channels
of the rivers, as also the standing lakes, and wandered all over the
Gapo. As there was then a thousand times the quantity of water, of
course the creatures were more scattered, and less likely to be
encountered. In the _vasante_ he had seen half-dried lakes swarming
with jacares, as many as there would be tadpoles in a frog-pond. At
such times he had seen them crowded together, and had heard their scales
rattling, as they jostled one another, at the distance of half a mile or
more. In the countries on the lower part of the Solimoes, where many of
the inland lakes become dry during the _vasante_, many jacares at that
season buried themselves in the mud, and went to sleep. They remained
asleep, encased in dry, solid earth, till the flood once more softened
the mud around them, when they came out again as ugly as ever. He
didn't think that they followed this fashion everywhere; only where the
lakes in which they chanced to be became dry, and they found their
retreat to the river cut off. They made their nests on dry land,
covering the eggs over with a great conical pile of rotten leaves and
mud.
The eggs of the jacare-uassu were as large as cocoa-nuts, and of an oval
shape. They had a thick, rough shell, which made a loud noise when
rubbed against any hard substance. If the female were near the nest,
and you wished to find her, you had only to rub two of the eggs
together, and she would come waddling towards you the moment she heard
the noise. They fed mostly on fish, but that was because fish was
plentiest, and most readily obtained. They would eat flesh or fowl,--
anything that chanced in their way. Fling them a bone, and they would
swallow it at a gulp, seizing it in their great jaws before it could
reach the water, just as a dog would do. If a morsel got into their
mouth that wouldn't readily go down, they would pitch it out, and catch
it while in the air, so as to get it between their jaws in a more
convenient manner.
Sometimes they had terrific combats with the jaguars; but these animals
were wary about attacking the larger ones, and only preyed upon the
young of these, or the jacare-tingas. They themselves made war on every
creature they could catch, and above all on the young turtles, thousands
of which were every year devoured by them. They even devoured their own
children,--that is, the old males did, whenever the _mai_ (mother) was
not in the way to protect them. They had an especial preference for
dogs,--that is, as food,--and if they should hear a dog barking in the
forest, they would go a long way over land to get hold of him. They lie
in wait for fish, sometimes hiding themselves in the weeds and grass
till the latter come near. They seized them, if convenient, between
their jaws, or killed them with a stroke of the tail, making a great
commotion in the water. The fish got confused with fright, and didn't
know which way to swim out of the reptile's reach. Along with their
other food they ate stones, for he had often found stones in their
stomach. The Indian said it was done that the weight might enable them
to go under the water more easily.
The _Capilearas_ were large animals that furnished many a meal to the
jacares; although the quadrupeds could swim very fast, they were no
match for the alligator, who can make head with rapidity against the
strongest current. If they could only turn short, they would be far
more dangerous than they are; but their neck was stiff, and it took them
a long while to get round, which was to their enemies' advantage.
Sometimes they made journeys upon land. Generally they travelled very
slowly, but they could go much faster when attacked, or pursuing their
prey. Their tail was to be especially dreaded. With a blow of that
they could knock the breath out of a man's body, or break his leg bone.
They liked to bask in the sun, lying along the sand-banks by the edge of
the river, several of them together, with their tails laid one on the
other. They would remain motionless for hours, as if asleep, but all
the while with their mouths wide open. Some said that they did this to
entrap the flies and insects that alighted upon their tongue and teeth,
but he (the Mundurucu) didn't believe it, because no quantity of flies
would fill the stomach of the great jacare. While lying thus, or even
at rest upon the water, birds often perched upon their backs and
heads,--cranes, ibises, and other kinds. They even walked about over
their bodies without seeming to disturb them. In that way the jacares
could not get at them, if they wished it ever so much.
There were some jacares more to be dreaded than others. These were the
man-eaters, such as had once tasted human flesh. There were many of
them,--too many,--since not a year passed without several people falling
victims to the voracity of these reptiles. People were used to seeing
them every day, and grew careless. The jacares lay in wait in the
bathing-places close to villages and houses, and stole upon the bathers
that had ventured into deep water. Women, going to fetch water, and
children, were especially subject to their attack. He had known men,
who had gone into the water in a state of intoxication, killed and
devoured by the jacare, with scores of people looking helplessly on from
the bank, not twenty yards away. When an event of this kind happened,
the people armed themselves _en masse_, got into their _montarias_
(canoes), gave chase, and usually killed the reptile. At other times it
was left unmolested for months, and allowed to lie in wait for a victim.
The brute was _muy ladim_ (very cunning). That was evident enough to
his listeners. They had only to look down into the water, and watch the
movements of the monster there. Notwithstanding its ferocity, it was at
bottom a great coward, but it knew well when it was master of the
situation. The one under the sapucaya believed itself to be in that
position. It might be mistaken. If it did not very soon take its
departure, he, the Mundurucu, should make trial of its courage, and then
would be seen who was master. Big as it was, it would not be so
difficult to subdue for one who knew how. The jacare was not easily
killed, for it would not die outright till it was cut to pieces. But it
could be rendered harmless. Neither bullet nor arrow would penetrate
its body, but there were places where its life could be reached,--the
throat, the eyes, and the hollow places just behind the eyes, in front
of the shoulders. If stabbed in any of these tender places, it must go
under. He knew a plan better than that; and if the brute did not soon
raise the siege, he would put it in practice. He was getting to be an
old man. Twenty summers ago he would not have put up with such
insolence from an alligator. He was not decrepit yet. If the jacare
consulted its own safety, it would do well to look out.
CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.
A HIDE UPON A REPTILE.
After thus concluding his long lecture upon alligators, the Indian grew
restless, and fidgeted from side to side. It was plain to all, that the
presence of the jacare was provoking him to fast-culminating excitement.
As another hour passed, and the monster showed no signs of retiring,
his excitement grew to auger so intense, as to be no longer withheld
from seeking relief in action. So the Mundurucu hastily uprose,
flinging aside the swimming-belts hitherto held in his hands.
Everything was put by except his knife, and this, drawn from his
_tanga_, was now held tightly in his grasp.
"What mean you, Munday?" inquired Trevannion, observing with some
anxiety the actions of the Indian. "Surely you are not going to attack
the monster? With such a poor weapon you would have no chance, even
supposing you could get within striking distance before being swallowed
up. Don't think of such a thing!"
"Not with this weapon, patron," replied the Indian, holding up the
knife; "though even with it the Mundurucu would not fear to fight the
jacare, and kill him, too. Then the brute would go to the bottom of the
Gapo, taking me along. I don't want a ducking like that, to say nothing
of the chances of being drowned. I must settle the account on the
surface."
"My brave fellow, don't be imprudent! It is too great a risk. Let us
stay here till morning. Night will bring a change, and the reptile will
go off."
"Patron! the Mundurucu thinks differently. That jacare is a man-eater,
strayed from some of the villages, perhaps Coary, that we have lately
left. It has tasted man's blood,--even ours, that of your son, your
own. It sees men in the tree. It will not retire till it has gratified
its ravenous desires. We may stay in this tree till we starve, and from
feebleness drop, one by one, from the branches."
"Let us try it for one night?"
"No, patron," responded the Indian, his eyes kindling with a revengeful
fire, "not for one hour. The Mundurucu was willing to obey you in what
related to the duty for which you hired him. He is no longer a
_tapuyo_. The galatea is lost, the contract is at an end, and now he is
free to do what he may please with his life. Patron!" continued the old
man, with an energy that resembled returning youth, "my tribe would
spurn me from the _malocca_ if I bore it any longer. Either I or the
jacare must die!"