The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-03-03

terial to the usually employed palm leaves,
or long coarse grasses.
Such was the case, however, and when
enough fish had been caught, they pad
died some distance upward, and went into
one of those innumerable reed-fringed in
lets that AmaZonian rivers project into
surrounding forests. 1t appears 10 have
been a place especially adapted for the
ensuing disaster, and those many similar
catastrophes which have occurred IN like
situations.
The desired material grew close to an
overaanging bank, and was Overshadowed
by trees some of them towering far aloft,
while others leaned over the water No
human being can imagine how many ma
iives have been killed by tigers-as they
call them-in Just such spots, and Indians
are perfectly aware OF this; yet they do not
remember ii at the proper time; for here
again, as everyone knows who has as
sociated intimately with him. the wild
men of story bear little resemblance TO
primitive human beings as they are IN
fact.
We read OF eyes and ears that nothing
escapes. unrelaxed vigilance, and an un-
waVering effectiveness; but notwit.lStand-
ing d very perfect sense development
within limited ranges, and great, though
restricted power of concentration, any
savage, unless especially excited or
Temporarily absorbed by some particular
object, is halItualy semi-torpid in mind,
and incuFably careless
This one SPOKEN of, seemingly, paid no
attention Ia his surroundings. When the
woman was asked If she did not know that
danger might always be looked for in these
places, all we got in answer was a vacant
stare and the reply that they saw nothing.
OF course, neItaer saw anythlngi How
could il he otherwise. unless accidentally,
when both were entirely indifferent, and
did not take the trouble to look around
4 y n alea az Ms.
close at hand. for w.lle the man cut
reeds. and his companion loaded their
boat. a ia-suar crept along one OF the pro-
lecting limbs and sprang upon him. FOR
tunajcly The distance Was 20 great that he
only e0i half way into their canoe.
As things were, however, all advantages
remained with him. and he would Ger
fainIy have made an entrance and killed
them both, If the woman in desperation
had not caught up fish spear, which sac
PLUNGED deeply into one Oh his eyes.
That broke the brute : hold, causing il to
fall backward and their boat was at once
pushed of and padded away by her whose
COURAGE undoubtedly saved both lives.
One lie. however only for a little while
Later when the night grew cool quickly
succeeding shuddcrs began To pass over
that DARK, mutilated form then lying in a
low muttering delirium on one of the
rough native beds.
Both 81 Us had seen this state more thar
once DeiOre- IL IS the way IN winch "a flOr
or tigers unfinished work is apt to end
when those whom they have mangled Dc
not possess enough reserve force TO rally
from initial shock. Before daybreak the
man was dead
A few hours afterwards, our long -ex
pected transports hove in sight They
were very disTeputable in every particular
like their crews, and on such a stream as
this. wide aS an oceanic gulf would n,
doubt fully Justify their obvious appear
ances Of worthlessness when bad weathe
came on.
Ii was a case Of necessity, however, an,
So after the invaTiabie waste of word,
accompanying every, even the simplest
transaction. We hired an igarape. Thi.
aquatic curiosity carried two masti
(crooked like the keel), her rudder wa.
swung awTy, and she had been rigge,
acco-ding 10 the custom Of the country
which looked discOuraging.
There IS no use TO say anything abou
cleanliness, order or leaks; neither &
make remarks concerning the Captain am
his men; for Il consistency in design
execution and conduct pervaded that YES
sci, such as left nothing which people VIII
love completeness could cavil at A SINAI
wigwam had been constructed near he
stern, and an ugly little Saint Christophe
was skewered through his stomach 10 IN
mainmast.
Therefore, being provided for both tenn
porally and spiritually. we slowed ava
our belongings while servants and saiIor
looked on, apparently without experiencin
any vulgar impulse TO interfere. Afte
these exercises we expected To get of
Our departure, however. took place lat