he banks of the
rivers. On the other side of the stream, indeed, we saw that they had
advanced a considerable distance into the ocean, their mighty roots
being able to stem even the waves of the Atlantic. Near where we stood
the ground was rather more open, and we saw the black mud covered with
numberless marine animals, sea-urchins, _holothuria_, or sea-slugs,
crabs, and several other creatures, many of brilliant hues, which
contrasted curiously with the dark mud over which they were crawling.
The roots of the trees were also covered with mussels, oysters, and
other Crustacea. But the most curious creature was a small fish which I
had before seen, called by sailors Jumping Johnny. David called him a
close-eyed gudgeon (_periophthalmus_). He was of the oddest shape, and
went jumping about sometimes like a frog, and sometimes gliding in an
awkward manner over the mud. We were watching one of them when Leo
cried out, "Why, the fish is climbing the tree--see, see!" And so in
reality he was, working his way up by means of his pectoral fins, David
supposed in search of some of the minute Crustacea which clung to the
roots. Jumping Johnny, having eaten as much as he could swallow, or
slipping off by accident, fell back into the mud, when we saw issuing
sideways from under the roots a huge crab. David said he was of the
_Grapsus_ family. Suddenly he gave a spring, and seized the unfortunate
Johnny in his vice-like gripe, and instantly began to make his dinner
off the incautious fish, who, as Leo said, would have been wiser if he
had kept in the water, and not attempted to imitate the habits of a
terrestrial animal.

As we looked up the stream we saw numerous birds feeding along the
banks. Among them were tall flamingoes, rose-coloured spoonbills,
snow-white egrets, and countless other water-fowl.

"I am glad we have been able to witness this scene here," said David,
"where we can benefit by the sea-breeze; for such deadly miasmas rise
from these mangrove swamps, that the further we keep off from them the
better."

While we were watching we saw a canoe, paddled by half a dozen blacks,
dart out from the mouth of a creek which had been concealed by the thick
trees. We drew back, not knowing whether the people in the canoes might
prove friends or foes. Another followed at a little distance, and
proceeded up the stream. They were impelled by paddles with broad
blades; and the sound of voices reached our ears as if