foot. Isoro and Domingos came
rushing forward with their long poles to attack the monster; while John,
seizing his gun, fired at its head: The ball, however, glanced off its
scaly coat. The reptile, finding itself disappointed of its expected
feast, and that the odds were against it, retreated, and finally fell
over with a loud plash into the stream. The incident warned us of the
midnight visitors we might expect, and of the necessity of keeping a
watch when sleeping near the river's bank. The fire was made up afresh.
We were all soon again asleep, with the exception of one of the men,
who was directed by Don Jose to keep watch for the remainder of the
night.

The next morning our kind friend bade us farewell, and, accompanied by
the bearers, took his way through the forest to the Andes. We saw him
go with great regret. We remembered the dangers he would have to
encounter, and we felt how probable it was that we should never again
see him. Our party now consisted of Ellen, Maria, John, Arthur and I,
Domingos and Isoro. John and I had our rifles; and Domingos a brace of
long horse-pistols, which he took from his holsters when the mules were
sent back; with a fair supply of ammunition. We had axes, and a few
other tools for building our canoe; a stock of provisions, which had
been carefully husbanded; and some bales of cotton and other articles
with which to repay the natives for their services, or to purchase food.
Isoro was armed with a long bow and spear, and Arthur was anxious to
provide himself with similar weapons.

As soon as Don Jose had gone, Isoro set out according to his directions
to find some natives. We were still, it will be remembered, within
Peruvian territory; and although but slight communication was kept up
with the natives of the scattered villages, yet the Spaniards had for
some years past made their power felt, as the Incas had done in former
ages, even in these remote districts. Isoro said he had therefore no
fear of being ill-treated by any of the natives he might encounter.

As soon as breakfast was over, while John and Domingos remained at the
hut, assisting Ellen and Maria to overhaul and re-arrange our goods,
Arthur and I strolled out to try and shoot some birds. We had not gone
far when we heard, at a little distance off, some loud, shrill, yelping
cries. I was sure they were produced by birds, yet Arthur could
scarcely believe it. The noises came, it seemed, from above our h