cho or farm, the proprietor of which is my friend, where
they will remain in safety till better times, when they can be forwarded
to their owners."

This plan being agreed on, the animals were unloaded, and our native
attendants set to work to build huts, which might afford us sufficient
shelter for the night. We all helped; but we found that they were so
much more expert, that they had erected three huts while we had not
finished one. Long stakes were first cut down. Two of them were driven
into the ground and joined at their top, and about twelve feet beyond
them, other two were driven in, and connected by a long pole. Against
this a number of stakes were arranged to serve as rafters. Meantime a
quantity of large palm-leaves had been procured, which were attached to
the rafters by thin sipos or vines, beginning at the bottom, so that
they overlapped each other in the fashion of tiles. They were so neatly
and securely fastened, that it was evident the heaviest shower would not
penetrate them. In a short time we had seven or eight of these huts up,
sufficient to accommodate the whole of the party. The natives then
descending into the forest, brought back a quantity of wood, which they
had cut from a tree which they called _sindicaspi_, which means the
"wood that burns." We found it answer its character; for though it was
perfectly green, and just brought out of the damp forest, no sooner was
fire put to it than it blazed up as if it had been long dried in the
sun.

We were still at a considerable elevation, where there was but little of
animal life. Even here, however, beautiful humming-birds flew among the
bushes. They seemed very like the hill-stars we had seen at
Chimborazo--wonderful little feathered gems; but they flew so rapidly
about that it was difficult to distinguish their appearance. Now a
gleam of one bright colour caught the eye, now another. Now, as they
passed, all their hues were blended into one.

"I should so like to have some of those beautiful little creatures as
pets," said Ellen. "I wonder if they could be tamed!"

"No doubt about it," said Don Jose. "The difficulty is to catch them
first. But, small as they are, they are in no degree timid; and if you
could take some of them young, you would find that they would willingly
feed off your hand; but, bold and brave, they love freedom, and will not
consent to live in captivity. Perhaps Isoro may catch some for you. He
knows all th