The Forest Exiles: The Perils of a Peruvian Family in the Wilds of the Amazon

by Mayne Reid

  CHAPTER TWELVE.

  ENCOUNTER UPON A CLIFF.

  That night they encamped in the bottom of the ravine close to thewater's edge. They found just enough of level ground to enable them tostretch themselves, but they were contented with that. There wasnothing for the animals to eat except the succulent, but thorny, leavesof the _Cactus opuntia_, or the more fibrous blades of the wild agave.This evening there were no quinoa seeds to be had, for none of thesetrees grew near. Even the botanist, Don Pablo, could find no vegetablesubstance that was eatable, and they would have to sup upon the vicunameat, without bread, potatoes, or other vegetables. Their stock ofocas, ullucas, and macas, was quite out. They had cooked the last ofthe macas for that morning's meal.

  Guapo here came to their relief. Guapo's experience went beyond thetheoretical knowledge of the botanist. Guapo knew a vegetable which wasgood to eat--in fact, a most delicious vegetable when cooked with meat.This was no other than the fleshy heart of the wild maguey (_agave_),with part of the adhering roots. Among naked rocks, in the most barrenparts of the desert wilderness, the wild agave may be found growing inluxuriance. Its thick, succulent blades, when split open, exude a coolliquid, that often gives considerable relief to the thirsty traveller;while the heart, or egg-shaped nucleus from which spring the sheathingleaves--and even parts of the leaves themselves--when cooked with anysort of meat, become an excellent and nourishing food. The Indians makethis use of the aloe on the high plains of Northern Mexico, among theroving bands of the Apache, Navajo, and Comanche. These people cookthem along with horse's flesh, for there the wild horse is the principalfood of whole tribes. Their mode of cooking, both the flesh and thealoe, is by baking them together in little ovens of stones sunk in theground, and then heated by fire until they are nearly red-hot. Theashes are then cleared out, the meat and vegetables placed in the ovens,and then buried until both are sufficiently done. In fact, there is onetribe of the Apaches who have obtained the name of "Mezcaleros," fromthe fact of their eating the wild aloe, which in those countries goesunder the name of "mezcal" plant.

  In many parts of the Andes, where the soil is barren, the wild maguey isalmost the only vegetation to be seen, and in such places the Indiansuse it as food. It seems to be a gift of Nature to the desert, so thateven there man may find something on which to subsist.

  Guapo with his knife had soon cleared off several large pieces of themaguey, and these, fried along with the vicuna meat, enabled the partyto make a supper sufficiently palatable. A cup of pure water from thecold mountain stream, sweeter than all the wine in the world, washed itdown; and they went to rest with hearts full of contentment andgratitude.

  They rose at an early hour, and, breakfasting as they had supped, oncemore took the road.

  After travelling a mile or two, the path gradually ascended along one ofthose narrow ledges that shelve out from the cliff, of which we havealready spoken. They soon found themselves hundreds of feet above thebed of the torrent, yet still hundreds of feet above them rose the wallof dark porphyry, seamed, and scarred, and frowning. The ledge or pathwas of unequal breadth--here and there forming little tables orplatforms. At other places, however, it was so narrow that those whowere mounted could look over the brink of the precipice into thefrothing water below--so narrow that no two animals could have passedeach other. These terrible passes were sometimes more than an hundredyards in length, and not straight, but winding around buttresses of therock, so that one end was not visible from the other.

  On frequented roads, where such places occur, it is usual fortravellers, entering upon them, to shout, so that any one, who chancesto be coming from the opposite side, may have warning and halt.Sometimes this warning is neglected, and two trains of mules or llamasmeet upon the ledge! Then there is a terrible scene--the driversquarrel--one party has to submit--their animals have to be unloaded anddragged back by the heels to some wider part of the path, so that eachparty can get past in its turn!

  Near the highest part of the road, our travellers had entered upon oneof these narrow ledges, and were proceeding along it with caution. Thetrusty mule, that carried Dona Isidora and Leona, was in front, thehorse followed, and then the llamas. It is safer to ride than walk onsuch occasions, especially upon mules, for these animals are moresure-footed than the traveller himself. The horse that carried Leon,however, was as safe as any mule. He was one of the smallSpanish-American breed, almost as sure-footed as a chamois.

  The torrent rushed and thundered beneath. It was fearful to listen andlook downward; the heads of all were giddy, and their hearts full offear. Guapo, alone accustomed to such dangers, was of steady nerve. Heand Don Pablo afoot were in the rear.

  They had neared the highest point of the road, where a jutting rock hidall beyond from their view. They were already within a few paces ofthis rock, when the mule--which, as we have stated, was in the front--suddenly stopped, showing such symptoms of terror that Dona Isidora andthe little Leona both shrieked!

  Of course all the rest came to a halt behind the terrified and tremblingmule. Don Pablo, from behind, shouted out, inquiring the cause of thealarm; but before any answer could be given the cause became apparent toall. Around the rock suddenly appeared the head and horns of a fiercebull, and the next moment his whole body had come into view, whileanother pair of horns and another head were seen close behind him!

  It would be difficult to describe the feelings of our travellers at thatmoment. The bull came on with a determined and sullen look, until hestood nearly head to head with the mule. The smoke of his wide steamingnostrils was mingled with the breath of the terrified mule, and he heldhis head downward, and evidently with the intention of rushing forwardupon the latter. Neither could have gone back, and of course the fiercebull would drive the mule into the abyss. The other bull stood closebehind, ready to continue the work if the first one failed, and,perhaps, there were many others behind!

  The mule was sensible of her danger, and, planting her hoofs firmly onthe hard rock, she clung closely to the precipice. But this would nothave served her, had not a hand interposed in her behalf. Amidst theterrified cries of the children, the voice of Guapo was heard calling toDon Pablo,--"Your pistols, master! give me your pistols!"

  Something glided quickly among the legs of the animals. It was thelithe body of the Indian. In a second's time he appeared in front ofthe mule. The bull was just lowering his head to charge forward--hishorns were set--the foam fell from his lips--and his eyes glanced fireout of their dark orbs. Before he could make the rush, there came theloud report of a pistol--a cloud of sulphury smoke--a short struggle onthe cliff--and then a dead plunge in the torrent below!

  The smoke partially cleared away; then came another crack--anothercloud--another short struggle--and another distant plash in the water!

  The smoke cleared away a second time. The two bulls were no longer tobe seen!

  Guapo, in front of the mule, now ran forward upon the ledge, and lookedround the buttress of rock. Then, turning suddenly, he waved his hand,and shouted back--

  "No more, master; you may come on--the road is clear!"