We crossed the potato and manioc plantations, wood of guavas, my boys feasted great satisfaction The road was rugged, but we assisted to move the cart, and rested frequently We stopped the bird colony, which greatly delighted them all, and Ernest declared they belonged species of Loxia gregaria_, the sociable grosbeak He pointed out their wonderful instinct in forming their colony midst candle-berry bushes, they feed We filled two bags berries, and another with guavas, my wife proposing jelly

We then proceeded caoutchouc-tree, and here I determined to rest awhile, to collect valuable gum I had brought some large gourd-shells with me incisions trees, and placed these bowls to receive the gum, which soon began to run out in milky stream, and we hoped them filled return We turned little left, and entered beautiful and fertile plain, bounded on one side sugar-canes, behind which rose wood of palms, other bamboos; and was Cape Disappointment, backed ocean--a magnificent picture

We at once decided this our resting-place; we even thought of transferring our residence from Falcon's Nest spot; but we dismissed the thought, when we reflected perfect security dear castle air We contented ourselves with arranging this always our station for refreshment excursions We loosed our animals, and allowed them to graze rich grass around us We arranged the night here, and, taking light repast, we separated several employments--some to cut sugar-canes, others bamboos, and, after stripping them, them into bundles, and place them cart This hard work made the boys hungry; they refreshed themselves with sugar-canes, but had great desire some cocoa-nuts Unfortunately, there were neither monkeys nor crabs to bestow them, many attempts they made to climb the lofty, bare trunk palm ended only in disappointment and confusion I went assistance them pieces rough skin shark, which I had brought , to brace on their legs, and showing them how to climb, aid of cord fastened round the tree with running noose, method practised with success savages, my little climbers soon reached the summit trees; they then used their hatchets, which they had carried up in their girdles, and shower of cocoa-nuts fell down These furnished pleasant dessert, enlivened jests of Fritz and Jack, who, being the climbers, spare Doctor Ernest, who had contented himself with looking up at them; and even now, regardless banter, lost in some new idea Rising suddenly, and looking palms, cocoa-nut cup, and tin flask with handle, and gravely addressed us thus:--

"Gentlemen and lady ! this exercise of climbing is really very disagreeable and difficult; but since it confers honour undertakers, like also to attempt an adventure, hoping something at once glorious and agreeable company "

He then bound his legs pieces of shark's skin, and with singular vigour and agility sprung up palm which he had long been attentively examining His brothers laughed loudly at his taking the trouble to ascend tree that single nut Ernest took no notice ridicule, but, he reached the top, struck hatchet, and tuft of tender yellow leaves fell at our feet, which I recognized product cabbage-palm, delicate food, highly valued in America His mother thought it mischievous act, to destroy the tree thus; but he assured her his prize was worth many cocoa-nuts But our hero descend; and I asked him if to replace the cabbage he had cut off ?

"Wait little," said he; " bringing you some wine to drink my health; but it comes slower than wish "

He now descended, holding his cocoa-cup, into which he poured flask clear rose-coloured liquor, and, presenting it , begged me to drink , indeed, the true palm-wine, as pleasant as champaign, and, taken moderately, great restorative

We all drank; and Ernest was praised and thanked by all, till he forgot all the scoffs he had received

As getting late, we set about putting up our tent night, when suddenly our ass, who quietly grazing near us, began to bray furiously, erected his ears, kicking right and left, and, plunging bamboos, disappeared This made us very uneasy submit to lose the useful animal; and, moreover, afraid his agitation announced the approach of some wild beast The dogs and I sought for any trace of it in vain; I therefore, to guard against any danger, made large fire before our tent, which I continued to watch till midnight, when, all being still, I crept tent, to my bed of moss, and slept undisturbed till morning

morning we thanked God health and safety, and then began to lament our poor donkey, which, I hoped, attracted light fire, returned; but we saw nothing of him, and we decided that his services were so indispensable, that go, with one sons, two dogs, in search of him, and cross the thickets of bamboo I chose Jack with me, great satisfaction, for Fritz and Ernest formed better guard for their mother in strange place We set out, well armed, with bags of provisions back, and after an hour's fruitless search canes, We emerged beyond them, in an extensive plain borders great bay We saw ridge of rocks still extended right till it nearly reached the shore, when it abruptly terminated in perpendicular precipice considerable river flowed bay here, and river rock was narrow passage, which at high water overflowed We thought it most likely ass had passed defile; and I wished whether these rocks merely bordered or divided the island; we therefore went forward till we met with stream, which fell in cascade from mass of rocks river We ascended the stream till place shallow enough to cross Here we saw the shoemarks ass, mingled footsteps of other animals, and at distance we saw herd of animals, but distinguish what they were We ascended little hill, and, through our telescope, saw most beautiful and fertile country, breathing peace and repose To our right rose the majestic chain of rocks that divided the island left succession of beautiful green hills spread horizon Woods of palms and various unknown trees were scattered over the scene The beautiful stream meandered across the valley like silver ribbon, bordered by rushes and other aquatic plants no trace footstep of man The country had all the purity first creation; no living creatures but some beautiful birds and brilliant butterflies appeared

But, at distance, we saw some specks, which I concluded were the animals we had first seen, and I resolved nearer, in hopes our ass joined them towards the spot, and, to shorten the road, crossed little wood of bamboos, the stalks , as thick as man's thigh, rose height of thirty feet I suspected this the giant reed of America, so useful masts of boats and canoes I promised Jack to allow him to cut some return; but at present the ass was my sole care When we had crossed the wood, we suddenly came on herd of buffaloes, not numerous certainly, but formidable in appearance sight, absolutely petrified, and my gun useless Fortunately the dogs were rear, animals, lifting their heads, and fixing their large eyes on us, seemed more astonished than angry--we were the first men probably they had ever seen

We drew back little, prepared our arms, and endeavoured to retreat, dogs arrived, and, notwithstanding our efforts to restrain them, flew buffaloes no time now to retreat; the combat was begun The whole troop uttered the most frightful roars, beat the ground with their feet, and butted with their horns Our brave dogs intimidated, but marched straight enemy, and, falling on young buffalo that had strayed rest, seized it ears The creature began to bellow, and struggle to escape; its mother ran to its assistance, and, with her, the whole herd moment,--I tremble as I write it, the signal to my brave Jack, who behaved with admirable coolness, and same moment we fired herd The effect was wonderful: they paused moment, and then, even smoke was dissipated, took to flight with incredible rapidity, forded the river, and were soon out of sight My dogs still held their prize, mother, though wounded by our shot, tore up the ground in her fury, and was advancing dogs to destroy them; but I stepped forward, and discharging pistol horns, put an end to her life