re by our exposure to the elements and our
exertions, we were so overpowered by nature's great renovator sleep,
that, notwithstanding our clothes were saturated with the rain,
we were able to pass the remainder of the night in tranquillity. At
break of day the forest, which a few hours previously had been the
scene of the terrors which I have described, was again tranquil
and silent. When we quitted our lair we were frightful to look at;
we were covered with leeches, and the marks of blood on our faces
rendered us hideous. On looking at my two poor Indians I could not
avoid laughing aloud; they also looked at me, but their respect
for me prevented their laughing. I was no doubt equally punished,
and my white skin must have served to show well the ravages of those
creatures. We were, indeed, knocked up; we could scarcely move, so
weak had we become. However, act we must, and promptly,--to light a
fire quickly, in order to warm us; to cook some of the palm stalks;
to cross, by swimming, a torrent which, with a terrible noise, was
rushing on below us; and to reach, during the day, the shores of the
Pacific ocean. If we delayed to start it might not be possible to pass
through the torrents,--we had left several behind us,--we might find
ourselves in the impossibility of going either backward or forward,
and perhaps be obliged to remain several days waiting for the waters
to subside before we could proceed. Besides, other storms might arise,
frequent as they are at this season, and we should have to remain for
several weeks in a desert spot without resources, and where the first
night passed under such a bad roof was no recommendation, There was no
time to be lost. From a large heap of palm leaves, where we had placed
and covered up our haversacks in order to preserve them from the wet,
we drew them out safe; our precautions had fortunately been successful,
they were quite dry. We made a large fire, thanks to the elemi gum,
which burns with such ease. Our feelings were delightful when the
heat entered our frames, dried our dripping garments, re-animated our
courage, and gave us some strength. But, to enjoy that satisfaction
fully, one should have acquired it at the same cost as I had. I very
much doubt that any European would like to participate in the scenes
of that night simply for the enjoyments of the following day.

Our scanty cookery was soon ready, and expeditiously dispatched,
and we moved off in quick time.

My In