The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1855-03-03

ccdrelas, zamangs, and the beautiful long
leaved silk cotton (bumbar J but beneath,
perfect net work of spoS or creeptrS and
lanes choked up the path, aud the hunter,
had to clear every step of the way with their
machctcs. Even the dogs, with all ,hi.
eagerness, could make only IA slow and tortu-
Gus advance among the thorny vines OF The
smllaX, and the sharp spines that covered the
trunks of the palms.
In the circle Of canoes that surrounded
the island, there was perfect silence !; each
had spot to guard, and each hunter sa',
with arms ready, and eyes keenly fixed on
the foliage of the underwood, opposite hi,
station.
The uba Of the chief had remained to
watch the path where the tracks of the tapr
had ben observed. We both sat with gun,
cooked and ready the dogs and hunters were
distinctly heard in the bushes approaching
the centre of the islet The former gave
tongue at intervals, but their yelping grey
louder and was uttered with d liarcur ac-
cent. Several of them barked at once, and
a rushing was heard towards the water. 1t
came in our direction, but not right for us
still the game was likely to issue at poin,
within range of our guns. A stroke of tn.
paddle brought us into better position. AZ
the same time several other canoes were seen
shooting forward 10 the spot. The under
wood crackled and shook reddish forms
appeared among the leaves and the next
moment dozen animals, resembling flock
of hogs, tumbed out from the thckct, and
flung themselves with splash into the wa
ter.
"No--tapir capivara," cried tn,
chief but his voice was drowned by the
reports of guns and the twanging Of bow
strings. Half dozen Of the capivara were
seen TO fall on the sandy margin, while the
rest plunged forward aud diving beyond the
reach of pursuit, were seen no mora
This was splendid beginning Of the DAYS
sport for half a dozen at a single vollcy
was no mean game, even among lndians.-
But tn no5ler beast the tapir, occupied all
our thoughts; aud leaving the capivaras to
b. gathered in By the women, tn. hunters
were back at their posts in a few seconds
There was no doubt that tapr would be-
reused. The island had all the appearance
of being the haunt OF one or more of these
creatures; BESIDES the tracks were evidence
of their recent presence upon the spot The
beating, therefore, proceeded as lively d.
ever, and the hunters and dogs had penetra-
ted to the centre Of the thicket.
Again the angry yelping of the latter fell
upon the ear; and again the thick cover
rustled and shook
This time the tapir,' said the chief TO me
in an under tone; adding the next momen,
in louder voice Look yonderm look
ed in the direction pointed out. could
perceive something in motion among the
leaves-a dark brown body, smooth and
rounded, the body Of a tapir! caught only
a glimpse of it, as it sprang forward into the
opening. 1t was coming a full galop, with
its head between its knees. The dogs were
close after, and it looked not before il, but
dashed out and ran towards us as though
blind 1t made for the water, lust few
feet from the bow of our canoe. The chief
and fired at the same time. thought nv
bullet took effect, and so thought the chief
did his; but the tapir, seeming not to haed
the shots, plunged into the stream and went
under. The next moment the whole string
of dyed dogs came sweeping out Of the thick
ct, and leaped forward to where the game
had disappeared. There was blood upon the
water. The tapir is hit, then, though, |
and was about to point out the blood to
the chief, when on turning saw the latter
poisiug himself, knife in hand, near the stern
of the canoe. He was about to spring ou.
! of it. His eye was fixed on some objec.
under the water. looked in the same di-
rcction. The waters of the Xingu are as
clear as crystal against the sandy bottom.