to the valley of the cavern. The
horses and mules could not get to the upper valley, but there was ample
pasturage below the second waterfall, in a spot where they might remain
concealed; the only risk being that a jaguar might find them out.

"Those brutes roam everywhere," observed Kanimapo--"over mountains and
across plains; and they often come into these higher regions in search
of deer, so that we must be on our guard against them. It will be
necessary, therefore, either to leave your white slave," (Tim would have
strongly disapproved of being so designated,) "or Chumbo, or Candela, to
watch them."

Another day passed, and Tim and Chumbo not appearing, we began to feel
very anxious about them. In other respects, we had every reason to be
contented with our lot; the woods produced various wild fruits, which
were now in perfection, we had as much game as we required, and the
padre and Candela caught an ample supply of fish. The doctor was
engaged in botanising and studying various branches of natural history;
and my father was thankful that his family were in comparative safety.
Perhaps I felt our retirement from the world more than any one else, as
I longed to be taking part in the task to which I had pledged myself,--
of aiding in the liberation of my country.

Kanimapo at last expressed his surprise that Tim and the mules had not
arrived; and assuring us that we should be perfectly safe provided we
remained in the valley, he left us, saying that he would go in search of
them.

Another day passed, and as neither the Indian nor Tim appeared, Gerald
and I agreed to go down the valley, in case they might have missed each
other, and Tim should have found his way to the spot to which he had
been directed. Nothing could exceed the beauty of the vegetation on the
banks of the stream, or the magnificence of the trees which here and
there shot up in this oasis among the mountains; while its elevated
position gave it a far more temperate and refreshing atmosphere than
that to which we were accustomed even in our own district. Our scanty
supply of powder made us refrain from shooting any of the numberless
birds we saw fluttering amid the trees or skimming along the surface of
the water. Among them were several species of beautiful humming-birds,
which, as they darted here and there, glittered like gems in the air.
Gerald told me that Norah and he were so delighted with the valley, that
they intended to try and per