ut; and losing
patience, boldly dashed into the wood. Presently, out there came what
at the first glance I took to be a wild boar; but as it passed before us
towards the water, I saw that it was an animal of a very different
species. The doctor fired, and brought it to the ground; when Jumbo,
rushing forward, seized it by the throat. The creature made little or
no resistance; and having dragged it up to the fire, we saw that it was
a capybara, or water-hog. The doctor remarked that it was the largest
of all living rodents, being upwards of three feet in length, and
enormously fat. It had a blunt muzzle, with the eyes set high in the
head; was destitute of a tail; and its toes were so united as to enable
it to swim with ease. It was of a blackish grey hue, with rather long
hairs, of a yellow tinge, falling thickly over the body. The doctor
exhibited its head, which contained enormous incisor teeth, and
curiously-formed molars. He remarked that its webbed feet enable it to
swim rapidly, and that when pursued it dives, and can remain nearly
eight minutes under water; so that, if not taken unawares, it is able to
escape most of its numerous foes. Among the most deadly of these is the
jaguar, which preys largely on the poor tailless animal; but man is also
its enemy, for its flesh is excellent, and is considered like that of
the hog.

As it was important to secure a good supply of food, the capybara was
forthwith cut up, and some of its flesh roasted.

"I trust that it will not cost us dear," observed Kanimapo, as we
returned to our seats. "I should have warned you not to fire, unless in
a case of great necessity; for should any one be wandering near at hand,
it might lead them to our retreat."

Soon after this he left us, without saying a word. My mother and sister
and the children then retired to their bowers, but the rest of the party
still sat talking by the fire.

Some time had elapsed when Kanimapo rejoined us. "We must be very
cautious," he observed. "There are strangers in the neighbourhood,--
though whether friends or foes I cannot say; but we must take care not
to create a bright blaze, lest the reflection on the opposite cliff
should betray us. They are not likely to remain where they are, and
will probably move on to a more sheltered spot for the night. What has
brought them here I cannot tell; but I suspect that they are fugitives
from one party or the other. At all events, it will not be saf