hear him soon
begin to complain of the sensations which generally result from a
snake-bite. I asked Kanimapo what he had given Chumbo. He said it was
the juice of a red berry boiled into a syrup; and it was considered so
efficacious that all Indians carried a bottle of it about with them. He
told me that it had been discovered by an Indian, who was one day in the
forest and saw a desperate combat take place between a small bird called
the snake-hawk and a snake. During the conflict the snake frequently
bit the bird, which on each occasion flew off to a tree called the
guacco, and devoured some of its red berries; then, after a short
interval, it renewed the fight with its enemy,--and in the end succeeded
in killing the snake, which it ate. Thinking the matter over, the
Indian arrived at the belief that these berries would cure any human
being bitten by the snake. He accordingly made a decoction, and not
long after had an opportunity of trying it upon himself. It proved
effectual; so instead of keeping it secret, as some people might have
done, he generously made it known to all his acquaintance,--and thus the
use of this berry became universal.

In the case of Chumbo, however, I was not satisfied that the antidote
had been really required, for he confessed to me that he believed he had
been bitten by a coral snake--which he declared was most venomous,
whereas I have since learned that it is perfectly harmless. But I
believe that no specific has yet been discovered to prevent the fatal
effects of bites by the more venomous snakes.

The occurrence made us feel a little uncomfortable when we lay down at
night, for we could not help fancying that snakes might crawl into our
camp and attack us while sleeping.

At Kanimapo's suggestion, he and Gerald and I set off to explore the
country over which we should have to pass the next day, that we might
ascertain whether there were any foes lurking in the neighbourhood;
though, as no high-road--if I may so call the tracks which led from one
place to another--passed within some leagues of it, we were not likely
to meet with any Spaniards. Gerald and I took our guns; while, our
Indian friend carried his bow and arrows, that he might shoot any game
he came across.

I kept along the bank of the river, while my companions took a course
more to the left. Soon I had lost sight of Gerald and the Indian, and
was attempting to go on farther than I had intended, when the sun
di