The National tribune., 1898-10-13

laughing. was no doubt equally pun
iShed, and my white skin must have
served To show we'll the IavageS of these
creatures. We could scarcely move, so
weak had we become. =
However, act we must, and promptly
to light fire quickly, in order tG warm us;
To COOK some of the palm stalks; to cross,
by swimming, a torrent which, with a
terrible noise, was rushing on below us;
and to reach, during the day, the shores
OF the Pacific Ocean.
RECUPERATIoN
II we delayed to start it might not be
possible to pass through the tOrrentS-we
had left several behind us; we might find
ourselves in the impOssibility of going
either backward or forward, and perhaps
be obliged to remain several days waiting
for the waters to subside before we could
proceed Besides other storms might
arise FREQUENT as they are at this season,
and we should have to remain for several
weeks in a desert spot without resources,
and where the first night passed under
such a bad roof was no recommendation.
There was no time to be lost. From a
large heap of palm leaves where we had
placed and covered up our haversacks, in
order to preserve them from the wet, we
drew them out safe; our precautions had
fortunately been successful; they were
quite dry We made large fire. thanks
To the elemi gum, which burns with such
ease
Our feelings were delightful when the
heat entered our frames, dried our drip
ping garments terminated our courage
and gave us some strength. But, to en-
10Y that satisfaction fully, one should
have acquired it at the same cost AS /
had. l very much doubt that any Euro
pean would like to participate in the
scenes of that night simply for the enjoy
ments Of the following day.
Our scanty cookery was soon ready and
expeditiously dispatched, and we moved
off in quick time.
My Indians were uneasy, as they feared
they would not be able To pass through
the torrent which was heard at a distance.
consequently they marched quicker than
] did. On reaching the bank found
them in a CONSERVATION. "Oh, MASTER"
said my faithful Alila, 1T is not possible
To pass; so we must spend some days
here"
STOPPED BY TORRENT.
l cast my eyes on the torrent, which
was rolling between steep rocks in a
yellow, muddy stream; it had all the
appe arance Of a cascade and was carry
ing down the trunks OF trees and branches
broken off during the storm. My Indians
had already come to a decision and were
arranging spot for a fit bivouac; but |
did rot wish to give up all hopes of
success so speedily, and set about ex-
dmihlnS With care the means oil over
coming the difficulty.
The torrent was not more than 100
yards in breadth, and a good swimmer
could with ease get over in a few minutes
But 1t was necessary, on the opposite
side, To arrive at spot which was not too
steep, and where one could find safe foot
ing. and out OF the torrent; otherwise the
risk would be run of being drawn down
no one could tell whittier
From the bank on which we were it was
easy to Jump into the water, but on the
other side, for 100 yards down the stream,
there was but one spot where the rocks
were interrupted. small stream Joined
there the one we wished to cross
After had carefully calculated by sight
the length of the passage, l considered
myself strong enough to attempt it. was
better swimmer than my Indians; and
side, that they would follow. l told them
that l was going to cross over the torrent.
AN INDIAN BRIDSE.
But one reflection caused me TO hesi-
tate. How could l preserve our haver-
sacks, and save our precious provision of
powder? How keep our guns from injury?
1t would not be possible to think of carry
ing those articles on my back through a
torrent so rapid, and in which, beyond
doubt, should be under water more than
once before gained the other side
The Indians, being fertile in expedients.
speedily eXtricated me from this difficulty
they cut several -rattanS, and Joined the |
ends together, so as to form a consider |
able length. One of them climbed a tree |
which leant over the torrent, and there
fastened one end of the rattan length,
while took the other end to carry it over
to the other bank
All our arrangements being effected. l |
plunged INTO the water, and without much |
d1fiiculty gained the opposite side. fay-
ing the end OF the rattan with me, which |
| fastened to tree on the steep bank I
mad gained, allowing q slight inclination
OF the line towards me, yet raised sufIi |
ciently over the water to allow the article |