The hideousness animal, mingled terror and bravery of Jack, subject of conversation for We placed our booty sledge, and continued on wood Our path became every instant more intricate, amazing quantity of creeping plants which choked the way, and obliged us to use the axe continually The heat was excessive, and we got on slowly, when Ernest, always observing, and who was little behind us, cried out, "Halt ! new and important discovery ! " We returned, and he showed us, that stalk of creepers we had cut axe, issuing clear, pure water It liane rouge_, which, in America, furnishes the hunter such precious resource against thirst Ernest was much pleased; he filled cocoa-nut cup water, which flowed cut stalks like fountain, and carried it mother, assuring her she might drink fearlessly; and we all had the comfort of allaying our thirst, and blessing the Gracious Hand who has placed this refreshing plant midst dry wilderness benefit of man

[Illustration: "Suddenly we saw Ernest running , in great terror, crying, 'A wild boar, papa ! great wild boar ! '"]

We now marched on with more vigour, and soon arrived Gourd Wood, where my wife and younger sons beheld with wonder the growth remarkable fruit Fritz repeated all the history former attempts, and cut some gourds his mother some egg-baskets, and large spoon to cream the milk But we first sat down under the shade, and took some refreshment; and afterwards, while we all worked at making baskets, bowls, and flasks, Ernest, who had no taste for such labour, explored the wood Suddenly we saw him running , in great terror, crying, "A wild boar ! Papa; great wild boar ! " Fritz and I seized our guns, and ran spot he pointed out, the dogs preceding us We soon heard barking and loud grunting, which proved the combat had begun, and, hoping for good prize, we hastened forward; when, our vexation, when the dogs holding ears, not wild boar, but our own great sow, whose wild and intractable disposition had induced her to leave us, and live woods ! but laugh at our disappointment, after while, and the dogs release the poor sow, who immediately resumed her feast on small fruit, which had fallen trees, and, scattered ground, had evidently tempted the voracious beast part up apples, which somewhat resembled medlar, and opening it, found the contents of rich and juicy nature, but venture to taste it till we had put it usual test We collected quantity--I even broke loaded branch tree, and we returned to our party Master Knips no sooner saw them than he seized on some, and crunched them up with great enjoyment This satisfied me fruit was wholesome, and we regaled ourselves with some My wife was especially delighted when her this the guava, the delicious jelly is obtained, prized in America

"But, with all this," said Fritz, " poor show of game Do leave mamma young ones, and set off, what meet with "

I consented, and we left Ernest mother and Francis, Jack wishing to accompany us towards the rocks right hand, and Jack preceded us little, when he startled us by crying out, "A crocodile, papa ! --a crocodile ! "

"You simpleton ! " said I, "a crocodile in place where not drop of water ! "

"Papa ! -- it ! " said the poor child, his eyes fixed on one spot; "it , rock, sleeping crocodile ! "

near enough to distinguish it, I assured him his crocodile was very harmless lizard, called the iguana_, whose eggs and flesh were excellent food Fritz would immediately have shot frightful creature, about five feet in length I showed him that his scaly coat rendered such an attempt useless I then cut strong stick and light wand end former I attached cord with noose; this I held in my right hand, keeping the wand in my left I approached softly, whistling The animal awoke, apparently listening with pleasure I drew nearer, tickling him gently wand He lifted up his head, and opened his formidable jaws I then dexterously threw the noose round his neck, drew it, and, jumping back, aid sons, held him down, though he succeeded in giving Jack desperate blow tail Then, plunging my wand up his nostrils, few drops of blood came, and he died apparently without pain

We now carried off our game him on my back, holding him fore-claws, while my boys carried the tail behind me; and, with shouts of laughter, the procession returned sledge

Poor little Francis was in great dismay when the terrible monster we brought, and began to cry; but we rallied him out cowardice, mother, satisfied exploits, begged to return home sledge was heavily laden, we decided to leave it till the , placing ass, the iguana, the crab, our gourd vessels, and bag guavas, little Francis being also mounted The bustard we loosed, and, securing it by string tied to one legs, led it

We arrived at home in My wife prepared part iguana for supper, pronounced excellent The crab was rejected as tough and tasteless Our new utensils were then tried, the egg-baskets milk-bowls, and Fritz was charged to dig hole earth, covered with boards, and serve as dairy, till something better was thought of Finally, we ascended our leafy abode, and slept in peace

* * * * *

CHAPTER XXII

I projected an excursion with my eldest son, to explore the limits country, and satisfy ourselves an island, and not part continent We set out, ostensibly, to bring the sledge we had left the previous evening Turk ass , and left Flora with my wife and children, and, with bag of provisions, we left Falcon's Nest breakfast was over

In crossing wood of oaks, covered sweet, eatable acorn, we again met sow; our service to her evening forgotten, for she appeared tamer, and run little farther on, we saw some beautiful birds Fritz shot some, among which I recognized the large blue Virginian jay, and some different kinds of parrots As reloading his gun, we heard at distance singular noise, like muffled drum, mingled sound made in sharpening saw It savages; and we plunged into thicket, and there discovered the cause noise in brilliant green bird, seated withered trunk of tree It spread its wings and tail, and strutted about with strange contortions, great delight mates, who seemed lost in admiration of him same time, the sharp cry we heard, and, striking his wing against the tree, produced the drum-like sound this the ruffed grouse_, greatest ornaments forests of America My insatiable hunter soon put an end scene; he fired bird, who fell dead, crowd of admirers, with piercing cries, took to flight

I reprimanded my son for so rashly killing everything we met with without consideration, and mere love of destruction sensible error, and, thing , it to best of it, and sent him to pick up his game

"What creature ! " said he, as he brought it; "how it figured poultry-yard, if I hurry "

We went on to our sledge Gourd Wood, and, morning was not far advanced, we determined to leave all here, and proceed projected excursion beyond the chain of rocks But we took the ass to carry our provisions, and any game or other object meet with new country we hoped to penetrate Amongst gigantic trees, and through grass of prodigious height, we travelled with some labour, looking right and left to avoid danger, or discoveries Turk walked the first, smelling the air; then came the donkey, grave and careless step; and we followed, guns in readiness We met with plains of potatoes and of manioc, amongst the stalks were sporting tribes of agoutis; but we tempted by such game

We now met with new kind of bush covered with small white berries size of pea On pressing these berries, which adhered to my fingers, I discovered plant Myrica cerifera, or candle-berry myrtle, wax is obtained made into candles With great pleasure I gathered bag berries, knowing how my wife would appreciate this acquisition; for she often lamented that we were compelled to bed birds, sun set