rew a curious tree, which
is known among the Indians as the _parapara_. It was the soap-berry of
botanists (_Sapindus saponaria_), and Don Pablo knew that the bark of
the berries, when rubbed, produces a lather that will wash linen equal
to the best "Castile." Dona Isidora was not long in making a trial of
it, and found this to be true. The little round stones of the berries,
when cleared of the pulp, are very pretty, and are much used by the
missionaries in making rosaries. Leon found, dropping one of them on a
stone, that it was as elastic as a ball of India rubber, for it
rebounded several times to the height of a man's head! In the evening
they all rested from their various occupations, and seated themselves
upon the new-cleared ground, upon the trunk of a tree that had been
felled. They were one and all quite cheerful. They felt no more
apprehension of pursuit. It would have been a very revengeful enemy,
indeed, who would have followed them so far into the wilderness. They
had no fear of that. Dona Isidora had just cooked a kettle of coffee--
they had both pots and kettles, for these were some of the utensils with
which Guapo, even in the hurry of flight, had taken the precaution to
load his llamas. This coffee turned out to be of the finest quality.
It was of a peculiar species, which has long been cultivated by the
missionaries of Peru, and which yields a very high price. It used to be
sent by the viceroys as a valued present to the kings of Spain. To
sweeten the coffee some joints of sugar-cane had been crushed, and
boiled in a rough manner; and for bread they had roasted plantains.
During the repast they were all quite merry, and pleasant jokes were
passed for the first time in many days.

While thus engaged a singular sound fell upon their ears. It was like a
voice repeating the word "Guaco!" They all listened. "Guaco--Guaco!"
again came the voice.

"Hola!" cried Leon, "Guapo--Guapo! there's some one calling you, Guapo.
There again!--no--it's `Guaco'--listen! `Guaco--Guaco!' What is it, I
wonder?"

"That's the snake-bird," quietly answered Guapo, who, it must be
remembered, was a native of the Montana, and knew a great deal both
about the birds and beasts of these regions.

"The snake-bird?" exclaimed Leon, evidently interested in the name.

"Yes, young master!" replied Guapo; "look! yonder it goes!"

The eyes of all were instantly turned in the direction pointed out by
Guapo. There s