K OF THE HOUSE--GAB ESCAPES--A
BATTERING-RAM BROUGHT INTO PLAY--OUT-BUILDINGS ON FIRE--SEVERAL OF OUR
MEN KILLED AND WOUNDED--OUR AMMUNITION RUNS SHORT--A FRESH ASSAULT--
ENEMY RETREAT--WE FOLLOW--REGAIN THE HOUSE--ENEMY RETURN--DRIVEN BACK
AND DISAPPEAR--THE DEAD BURIED.

We were well satisfied with the success we had enjoyed during the day,
having shot as many birds as we required for the pot, and several others
of various species. We had half-a-dozen different sorts of animals
which the doctor wished to examine or to add to his museum. There were
among them three monkeys, a titi, a minas leonidas (a miniature lion--a
curious little creature), a spider-monkey with white whiskers; besides a
paca (a small rodent which burrows in the ground), and an opossum with a
prehensile tail, which we saw with half-a-dozen little ones on its back.
The doctor observed that, having no pouch, it thus carries its young,
and is from this circumstance called Dorsigereas, or "back-bearing."
The young ones were clinging on to her with their hand-like feet, while
their tails were turned round hers; and thus she was making her way
along the branch of a tree when the doctor's cruel rifle cut short her
career. I confess that I could not have had the heart to kill the
creature, nor did I much like shooting the playful little monkeys; but
the doctor observed that such sentiments must yield to the necessities
of Science, and that they might consider it a great honour to have their
skins exhibited in the Museum of Berlin.

Having kindled a fire, we were busily employed till a late hour, by its
light, in skinning the doctor's prizes. The paca, by-the-by, was
roasted, and preferred to the ducks.

With our ponchos and horse-rugs we formed luxurious couches, though the
mosquitoes were somewhat troublesome. The doctor was entering into a
learned disquisition as to their species.

"Faith, your honour," cried Tim, "they all seem mighty much alike, for
they bite terribly!"

I may remark that the poncho is the usual cloak worn by all ranks, from
the hidalgo to the poorest civilised Indian, differing only in material
and texture. It consists of a square piece of cloth with a small round
hole cut through the centre, and a slit a little way in front, which
enables it to be slipped over the head. It is secured round the neck by
a clasp or a button, and is well adapted for a climate where rain and
wind have to be guarded against rather than cold.