ir wide
jaws, they turn continually, though slowly, towards their assailant, to
show him their teeth, which, even when the animal has but recently
issued from the egg, are very long and sharp. Often, while the
attention of a small alligator is engaged by one of the vultures,
another pounces down, grasps it by the neck, and bears it off to his
eyrie.

We at length reached the mouth of the Apure, and having happily escaped
an overturn of our crank craft, we landed at a large village. Here
obtaining horses, we pushed forward towards the camp of the Republicans,
where I hoped to rejoin my brave commander, General Bermudez.

CHAPTER TEN.

JOURNEY TO THE CAMP--SLEEP AT A CATTLE-FARM--OBTAIN A GUIDE--MODE OF
CATCHING ELECTRIC EELS--REACH THE CAMP--OUR LIFE IN CAMP--CARNE CON
CUERO--THE DOCTOR AND THE WILD BOAR--ALARMING NEWS ABOUT NORAH--MARCH ON
CARABOBO--INTELLIGENCE FROM NORAH--IMPORTANT INFORMATION GIVEN BY THE
MESSENGER--THE DEFILE CLEARED--WE PASS THROUGH IT--BATTLE OF CARABOBO--
THE PADRE DOES HIS PART--HORRIBLE SLAUGHTER--GALLANTRY OF A SPANISH
OFFICER--DEATH OF COLONEL ACOSTA--GLORIOUS RESULT OF THE BATTLE--WE SET
OFF IN SEARCH OF NORAH--MEET HER ATTENDED BY KANIMAPO--FIERCE SKIRMISH--
AQUALONGA CAPTURED--NORAH'S ADVENTURES--CONTINUE OUR MARCH TO DON
FERNANDO'S--ANOTHER ADVENTURE--MEET WITH OUR FRIENDS--ARRIVAL--GRIEF FOR
THE DEATH OF COLONEL ACOSTA--AQUALONGA SHOT--FURTHER CAMPAIGNING--
RETURN--FRIENDLY MEETING WITH KANIMAPO'S TRIBE--HAPPY MARRIAGES--
CONCLUSION.

After passing through a thickly-wooded region bordering the banks of the
river, we emerged on an open country, the celebrated llanos of
Venezuela, which extended far away beyond human ken. As the best part
of the day was spent, we agreed that it would be folly to attempt
pushing forward without a guide; so, as a hato, or cattle-farm, was seen
in the distance, we resolved to ride towards it for the purpose of
obtaining one.

With the exception of the rich grass which covered the surface of the
ground, the only vegetation visible consisted of a few clumps of
palm-trees, with fan-like leaves, scattered here and there over the wide
expanse. The farm-buildings consisted of palm-thatched huts surrounded
by a fence of palm-trunks, beyond which were the corrals or cattle
enclosures. Countless herds dotted the plain, even to the horizon.

On reaching the gate, the overseer, a fine-looking elderly negro, came
out and inquired our business. On hearin