CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.
A SKURRY OVER A SAND-BAR.
Journeying along the bank, as we have described, Alexis and Ivan had gone some two or three miles up the river. They were beginning to get tired of their walk: as the sand was rather soft, and sank under their feet at every step. Just then they descried, a little ahead of them, a long bar, or "spit" of the bank, running out nearly to the middle of the river. They made up their minds to go on until they should reach this bar. At its end appeared a proper place for the periagua to come to, and take them aboard.
The craft was still working up stream, and had got nearly opposite them, so that they could hail it. They did so--desiring the _popero_, or steersman, to put in at the extremity of the sand-bar. This matter having been arranged, they continued on up the bank, going at their leisure.
On arriving at that part of the bank where the sand-spit projected into the river, they were about stepping out upon it, when the quick ear of Ivan caught the sound of some animals moving among the underwood. All was game that came to Ivan"s gun; and as he had seen nothing worth wasting a charge upon, during their long walk, he was very desirous to have a shot at something before returning to the periagua.
What he heard was a rustling of leaves. It did not appear to proceed from any particular spot, but rather from all parts of the forest. Now and then the sound was varied by a sort of half-squeaking, half-grunting noise, that indicated the presence of animals, and a great many of them too: since at times, several scores of these squeaks and grunts could be heard uttered simultaneously. Alexis heard the sounds too; but being less of a keen sportsman than his brother, cared less to go after the creatures that were making them. He had no objection to Ivan straying a little out of his way; and promised to wait for him on the open bank.
Had he known what sort of game it was that his brother was going after-- that is, had he been acquainted with the habits of the animals that were making themselves heard, he would either have gone along with Ivan, or, what is more likely, would have hindered him from going at all. Alexis, however, was under the impression that monkeys of some kind were making the strange noises--for not only are there many species of these in the forests of the Napo, but some that can imitate the voices of other animals. Of course, with monkeys, there could be no danger: since none of the American quadrumana are large enough or strong enough to attempt an attack upon man.
Ivan had not left the spot more than five minutes, when a loud report, reverberating among the trees, announced that he had fired his gun; and, almost in the same instant, a second crack told that both barrels were now empty.
Alexis was about proceeding to the place to see what his brother had shot, when all at once his ears were a.s.sailed by a loud chorus of noises--a screaming, and snorting, and grunting,--that seemed to come from all parts of the wood; while the cracking of sticks, and the "swishing" of branches, announced a singular commotion--as if some hundreds of creatures were rushing to and fro through the jungle. At the same instant was heard the voice of Ivan, crying out in accents of alarm; while the boy was himself seen breaking his way through the bushes, and running with all his might in the direction of his brother.
His looks betokened terror, as if some dreaded pursuer was behind him.
"Run! brother--run!" cried he, as he got clear of the underwood; "run for your life!--they"re after me--they"re after me!"
It was no time to inquire what pursuers were after him. Evidently, they were of a sort to be shunned: since they had caused to the courageous Ivan such serious alarm; and Alexis, without staying for an explanation, turned, and joined in his brother"s flight. Both directed themselves towards the open sand-spit, in hopes of being able to reach the periagua--which could be seen just drawing up to its point of the bar.
They had not made a dozen steps into the open ground, when the bushes from which they had just parted were seen to vibrate, and from out their trembling cover rushed a host of strange creatures: literally a host, for, in a few seconds" time, not less than two hundred of them made their appearance.
They were quadrupeds of a greyish-brown colour, not larger than half-grown pigs; and pigs they were--that is to say, they were _peccaries_. They were those of the species _l.a.b.i.atus_--as could be seen by their white lips. These lips were especially conspicuous, for each individual was rushing on open-mouthed, with snout raised aloft-- all of them cracking their teeth like castanets, uttering, as they ran, a confused chorus of short, sharp grunts and squeaks expressive of anger.
As soon as Alexis saw them, he recognised the peril of the situation in which he and his brother were placed. He had read, and heard moreover from the Portuguese trader--as well as from the Indian canoe-men--of the danger to be apprehended from an attack of these fierce little animals; and how the hunter, to escape from them, is often compelled to take to a tree. Had he and Ivan reflected for a moment, they would probably have made for the woods, instead of running out on the open sand-bar as they had done. It was now too late, however. The peccaries covered the whole line of beach behind them; and no tree could have been reached, without pa.s.sing back again through the midst of the drove. Their retreat in the direction of the woods was completely cut off; and there appeared no alternative, but to make the best use they could of their heels, and if possible get on board the periagua.
With this determination they rushed on over the sandbank, closely pursued by the peccaries.
CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.
PURSUED BY PECCARIES.
It is needless to say that our young hunters took as long strides as the nature of the ground would permit; but, unfortunately, they were not long enough. The sand was soft and heavy, and in places so full of holes, where the turtles had had their eggs--now empty--that the fugitives could make but slow progress, though fear was urging them to do their utmost. The pursuers themselves did not make as good speed as they would have made on firmer ground, but they were going faster than the pursued; and the boys were beginning to fear that they would never be able to reach the periagua in time. To be overtaken meant the same as to be dragged down upon the sand, and torn to pieces by the sharp tusks of the peccaries. The periagua was still three hundred yards distant. The Indians saw the chase, and knew the danger--knew it so well, that it was not likely they would venture ash.o.r.e to the rescue; and as for Pouchskin, he was unable to budge an inch--even had there been no other means of saving his young masters. It was a moment of fearful apprehension for the faithful Pouchskin. He had seized his fusil, and wriggled his body into an erect att.i.tude; but he felt powerless to do more.
In this moment of peril an object came under the eyes of Alexis that promised safety. At least it held out the prospect of a temporary retreat from the danger--though whether they might succeed in reaching this retreat was not certain.
This object was a tree--not standing and growing, but a fallen tree-- dead, and divested of its leaves, its bark, and most of its branches.
It lay upon the sand-spit--where it had, no doubt, been deposited during the season of floods--not exactly in the line of their flight, but some paces to the right of the track they would have followed in keeping on to the periagua. It was nearer them than the boat, by full two hundred yards; and Alexis observing this, suddenly conceived a hope that they might yet reach the tree, and find shelter, either upon its trunk or among its branches. Of these the larger ones still remained--rising many feet above the surface of the sand, and shrouded under ma.s.ses of weeds and withered gra.s.s, which had been there deposited at the falling of the flood. Indeed, Alexis scarce looked to the capabilities the tree afforded for giving them a secure retreat. There was no alternative.
It was like the drowning man catching at straws. He only cast a look behind him, to see what time they might have to spare; and by a quick glance calculating their distance from the pursuers, he shouted to Ivan to follow him, and turned obliquely towards the tree.
They had noticed the tree when first starting to run, but had not thought of it as a place of retreat. Indeed, they had thought of nothing except getting back to the boat; and it was only now, when this had proved clearly impossible, that they determined on taking to the tree.
As they faced full towards it, they were able to note the chances it offered for their safety. They saw that they were not so bad; and, encouraged by hope, they made efforts more energetic than ever--both of them straining every nerve and muscle in their legs and bodies.
The effort was needed; but fortunately it proved sufficient to save them. Just sufficient: for scarce had they succeeded in getting upon the log, and drawing their limbs up after them, when the infuriated host arrived upon the ground, and in a few seconds surrounded them on all sides. Lucky it was that the log was a large one. It was the dead-wood of a gigantic silk-cotton--the _bombax ceiba_ of the tropical forests; and its trunk, being full five feet in diameter, gave them that elevation above the surface of the sand. Notwithstanding this, they saw that their safety was not yet quite a.s.sured: for the spiteful peccaries, instead of desisting in their attacks, commenced leaping up against the log, endeavouring to reach its top, and there a.s.sail them. Now and then one more active than the rest actually succeeded in getting its fore feet over the ridge of the dead-wood: and, had it not been for the quick use which our hunters made of the b.u.t.ts of their guns, undoubtedly they would have been reached. Both stood with their barrels grasped firmly-- now threatening the a.s.sailing host, and now punching in the head such of them as sprang within reach--the peccaries all the while uttering their angry grunts, and chattering their teeth, as if a hundred strings of Christmas crackers were being let off at the same time!
In this way the conflict was carried on--the hunters bit by bit working themselves along the log towards the top branches, which, projecting higher, appeared to offer a more secure place of retreat. But at intervals as they advanced, they were compelled to make halt, and deal a fresh shower of blows to their a.s.sailants, who still kept leaping up from below.
At length the boys succeeded in reaching the projecting limbs of the tree; and each choosing one strong enough to carry him, they scrambled up towards their tops. This placed them in a position where they could set the peccaries at defiance; for although the creatures could now spring up on the main trunk--which several of them had already done--the more slender limbs baffled all their efforts at climbing; and such of them as attempted it were seen to roll off and tumble back upon the sandbank.
The hunters, now feeling secure, could not refrain from a shout of joy, which was answered by a cheer from the periagua, in which the baritone of Pouchskin bore a conspicuous part.
Our heroes now believing themselves in for a siege, began to consider the best means of raising it; when all at once a spectacle came under their eyes, that guided their thoughts into a far different channel.
CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.
SCYLLA AND CHARYBDIS.
Their retreat upward upon the slanting limbs of the tree had brought a large band of their a.s.sailants round to that side; and, just as they raised their triumphant cry, they saw the peccaries dancing among the branches that lay extended along the sand-bar. Many of these were hidden by the flakes of hanging gra.s.s already mentioned; but another fearful creature chanced to have been hidden there also; who now displayed himself in all his shining majesty--not only to the eyes of the besieged, but likewise to those of the besiegers. The creature was a quadruped--one of fearful mien, and dimensions far exceeding that of the Lilliputian peccaries. It was their natural enemy--the jaguar!
Whether it was the shout that had startled him, or the peccaries had trodden him out of his lair, or both, certain it was that he now sprang suddenly out, and with one bound launched himself upon the log. For a moment he stood cowering on its top, turning his eyes first upon the branches where the boys had taken refuge, and then in the opposite direction, towards the woods. He seemed irresolute as to which course he would take; and this irresolution, so long as it lasted, produced an unpleasant effect upon our young hunters. Should the jaguar also attack them, their destruction might be accounted as certain; for the great cat would either strike them down from their unstable porch, or claw them to death if they continued to cling to it. Of course, to fall down among the peccaries would be death, equally certain and terrible.
By good fortune, however, the jaguar at the moment of showing himself was eagerly a.s.sailed by the wild pigs; and it was to escape from their a.s.sault, that he had sprung upward to the log. Thither the peccaries had pursued him, and were now endeavouring to reach the top of the dead-wood, just as they had done while after the hunters. The jaguar no longer stood silent and irresolute; but, uttering loud screams, he commenced defending himself against the a.s.sailing host, striking them with his broad ungulated paws, and flinging one after another back to the ground, where they lay kicking in the throes of death.
Perhaps it was the presence of mind exhibited by Alexis that brought matters to a climax, and saved the lives of himself and his brother.
His rifle was still loaded--for it had appeared useless firing into the midst of two hundred a.s.sailants. He knew he could kill only one or two; and this, instead of frightening them off, would but render the others more implacable in their resentment. Partly for this reason, and partly that he had all along held the piece "clubbed" in his hands, he had reserved his fire. Now was the time to deliver it. The jaguar was even more to be dreaded than the peccaries--for they were now secure from the attacks of the latter, whereas they were not only within reach of the former, but in the very place to which the brute might fancy retreating.
To prevent this contingency, Alexis resolved to give the jaguar his bullet.
It was but a moment"s work to turn the gun in his hand and take aim.
The crack followed quickly; and, on the instant, the hunters had the gratification to see the great tawny quadruped spring out from the log, and alight upon the sand--where, in a second"s time, he was surrounded by the dark drove, that from all sides rushed screaming towards him.
It was a bit of good fortune that the bullet of Alexis had only wounded the jaguar, instead of killing him on the spot. Had he been shot dead, the peccaries would have torn his beautiful skin to ribbons, and reduced his quivering flesh to mincemeat, and that within the s.p.a.ce of a score of seconds; but luckily it chanced that the jaguar was only wounded--had only received a broken leg; and, availing himself of the three that remained sound, he commenced retreating towards the timber. Thither he was followed by his thick-skinned a.s.sailants; who, transferring their spite to this new enemy, seemed to forget all about their original adversaries, who remained quietly perched upon the limbs of the tree!
For some time nothing could be seen but a confused crowd, writhing over the sand--a dark ma.s.s, in the midst of which now and then a bright yellow object appeared conspicuous, and was then for a time out of sight; and thus, like a rolling wave, the great drove went surging on, amidst grunting and screaming, and growling, and chattering of teeth, till it swept up to the edge of the underwood, and then suddenly disappeared from the eyes of the spectators!
Whether the peccaries eventually succeeded in destroying the jaguar, or whether the wounded tyrant of the forest escaped from their terrible teeth, could never be told. Our young hunters had no curiosity to follow and witness the _denouement_ of this strange encounter. Neither cared they to take up the bodies of the slain. Ivan was completely cured of any _penchant_ he might have had for peccary pork; and, as soon as their late a.s.sailants were fairly out of sight, both leaped down from the limbs of the tree, and made all haste towards the boat. This they reached without further molestation; and the canoe-men, rapidly plying their paddles, soon shot the craft out upon the bosom of the broad river--where they were safe from the attack either of wild pigs or wild cats.
It was likely the jaguar betook himself to a tree--his usual mode of escape when surrounded by a herd of infuriated peccaries--and, as a proof that he had done so, our travellers could hear the wild hogs still uttering their fierce grunts long after the boat had rounded the sand-spit, and was pa.s.sing up the bend of the river.
CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR.
THE OLD MISSIONS.
Pa.s.sing many scenes of interest, and meeting with several other strange incidents, our travellers at length arrived at Archidona--a small town at the head of boat navigation upon the Napo, and the usual port of embarkation for persons proceeding from the country around Quito to the regions upon the Amazon. Up to this place they had been journeying through a complete wilderness--the only exceptions being some missionary stations, in each of which a monkish priest holds a sort of control over two or three hundred half christianised Indians. It would be absurd to call these missions civilised settlements: since they are in no degree more advanced, either in civilisation or prosperity, than the _maloccas_, or villages of the wild Indians--the "infidels," as it pleases the monks to call those tribes who have not submitted to their puerile teachings. Whatever difference exists between the two kinds of Indians, is decidedly in favour of the unconverted tribes, who display at least the virtues of valour and a love of liberty, while the poor neophytes of the missions have suffered a positive debas.e.m.e.nt, by their conversion to this so called "Christian religion." All these monkish settlements--not only on the Napo, but on the other tributaries of the Amazon--were at one time in a state of considerable prosperity. The missionary padres, backed by a little soldier help from the Spanish Government, were more able to control their Indian converts, and compel them to work--so that a certain amount of prosperity was visible in the mission settlements, and some of them had even attained to a degree of wealth. This, however, was but an apparent civilisation; and its benefits only extended to the monks themselves. The Indian neophytes were in no way bettered by the wealth they created. Their condition was one of pure slavery--the monks being their masters, and very often hard taskmasters they proved themselves--living in fine conventual style upon the sweat and labour of their brown-skinned converts. The only return made by them to the Indians was to teach the latter those trades, by the practice of which they themselves might be benefited, and that was their sole motive for civilising them. On the other hand, instead of endeavouring to cultivate their intellectual nature, they strove in every way to restrain it--inculcating those doctrines of duty and obedience, so popular among the priests and princes of the world. They taught them a religion of the lips, and not of the heart--a religion of mere idle ceremonies, of the most showy kind; and above all a religion, whose every observance required to be paid for by toll and t.i.the. In this manner they continued to filch from the poor aboriginal every hour of his work--and keep him to all intents and purposes an abject slave.
No wonder, that when the Spanish power declined, and the soldier could no longer be spared to secure the authority of the priest--no wonder that the whole system gave way, and the missions of Spanish America-- from California to the Patagonian plains--sank into decay. Hundreds of these establishments have been altogether abandoned--their pseudo converts having returned once more to the savage state--and the ruins of convents and churches alone remain to attest that they ever existed.
Those still in existence exhibit the mere remnants of their former prosperity, and are only kept together by the exertions of the monks themselves--backed by a slight thread of authority, which they derive from the superst.i.tions they have been able to inculcate. In fact, in the missions now existing, the monks have no other power than that which they wield through the terrors of the Church; and in most cases, these _padres_ const.i.tute a sort of hierarch chieftaincy, which has supplanted the old system of the _curacas_, or caciques.
At one period the missions of the Napo were both numerous and powerful.
That was while they were under the superintendence of those active apostles, the Jesuit fathers; but most of their settlements have long ago disappeared; and now only a few spa.r.s.e stations exist along the borders of the great _Montana_.