Afloat in the Forest; Or, A Voyage among the Tree-Tops

by Mayne Reid

  "Let us be grateful to the Great Spirit!" said the Indian, looking downfrom his perch upon the tree. "We may well thank him for affording us asafe refuge here. It's the jacare-uassu, as I said. The monster ishungry, because it's the time of flood, and he can't get food so easily.The fish upon which he feeds are scattered through the Gapo, and he canonly catch them by a rare chance. Besides, he has tasted our blood.Did you not see him sup at it as he came up the igarape? He's mad now,and won't be satisfied till he obtains a victim,--a man if he can, for Ican tell by his looks he's a man-eater."

  "A man-eater! What mean you by that?"

  "Only that this jacare has eaten men, or women as likely."

  "But how can you tell that?"

  "Thus, young master. His bigness tells me of his great age. He haslived long, and in his time visited many places. But what makes mesuspect him to be a man-eater is the eagerness with which he pursued us,and the disappointment he shows at not getting hold of us. Look at himnow!"

  Certainly there was something peculiar both in the appearance andmovements of the jacare. Young Trevannion had never seen such a monsterbefore, though alligators were plenteous around Para, and were no raresight to him. This one, however, was larger than any he had ever seen,more gaunt or skeleton-like in frame, with a more disgusting leer in itsdeep-sunken eyes, and altogether more unearthly in its aspect. Thesight of the hidden saurian went far to convince him that there was sometruth in the stories of which he had hitherto been sceptical. Afterall, the Gapo might contain creatures fairly entitled to the appellationof "monsters."

  CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

  A SAURIAN DIGRESSION.

  It would be difficult to conceive a more hideous monster than this uponwhich Richard Trevannion and his comrade gazed. In fact, there is noform in nature--scarce even in the imagination--more unpleasing to theeye than that of the lizard, the serpent's shape not excepted. Thesight of the latter may produce a sensation disagreeable and akin tofear; but the curving and graceful configuration, either at rest or inmotion, and the smooth, shining skin, often brilliantly coloured inbeautiful patterns, tend to prevent it from approaching the bounds ofhorror. With the saurian shape it is different. In it we behold thetype of the horrible, without anything to relieve the unpleasantimpression. The positive, though distant, resemblance to the human formitself, instead of making the creature more seemly, only intensities thefeeling of dread with which we behold it. The most beautiful colouringof the skin, and the gentlest habits, are alike inefficacious to removethat feeling. You may look upon the tree-lizard, clothed in a livery ofthe most vivid green; the _Anolidae_, in the bright blue of turquoise,in lemon and orange; you may gaze on the chameleon when it assumes itsmost brilliant hues,--but not without an instinctive sense ofrepugnance. True, there are those who deny this, who profess not tofeel it, and who can fondle such pets in their hands, or permit them toplay around their necks and over their bosoms. This, however, is due tohabit, and long, familiar acquaintance.

  Since this is so with the smaller species of the lizard tribe, even withthose of gay hues and harmless habits, what must it be with those hugesaurians that constitute the family of the _Crocodilidae_, all of which,in form, colour, habits, and character, approach the very extreme ofhideousness. Of these gigantic reptiles there is a far greater varietyof species than is generally believed,--greater than is known even tonaturalists. Until lately, some three or four distinct kinds,inhabiting Asia, Africa, and America, were all that were supposed toexist. Recent exploration reveals a very different condition, and hasadded many new members to the family of the _Crocodilidae_.

  It would be safe to hazard a conjecture, that, when the world of naturebecomes better known, the number of species of these ugly amphibia,under the various names of gavials, crocodiles, caymans, and alligators,all brothers or first-cousins, will amount to two score. It is the veryclose resemblance in appearance and general habits that has hithertohindered these different kinds from being distinguished. Their speciesare many; and, if you follow the naturalists of the anatomic school, sotoo are the genera; for it pleases these sapient theorists to found agenus on almost any species,--thus confounding and rendering moredifficult the study it is their design to simplify. In the case of the_Crocodilidae_ such subdivision is absolutely absurd; and a singlegenus--certainly two at the most--would suffice for all purposes,practical or theoretical. The habits of the whole family--gavials andalligators, crocodiles, caymans, and jacares--are so much alike, that itseems a cruelty to separate them. It is true the different speciesattain to very different sizes; some, as the _curua_, are scarce twofeet in length, while the big brothers of the family, among the gavials,crocodiles, and alligators, are often ten times as long.

  It is impossible to say how many species of _Crocodilidae_ inhabit thewaters of the South American continent. There are three in the Amazonalone; but it is quite probable that in some of its more remotetributaries there exist other distinct species, since the three abovementioned do not all dwell in the same portion of this mighty stream.The Amazonian Indians speak of many more species, and believe in theirexistence. No doubt the Indians are right.

  In the other systems of South American waters, as those of the La Plata,the Orinoco, and the Magdalena, species exist that are not known to theAmazon. Even in the isolated water deposits of Lake Valencia Humboldtdiscovered the bava, a curious little crocodile not noted elsewhere.The three Amazonian reptiles, though having a strong resemblance ingeneral aspect, are quite distinct as regards the species. In thecurious and useful dialect of that region, understood alike by Indiansand Portuguese, they are all called "Jacares," though they arespecifically distinguished as the _Jacare-uassu_ the _Jacare-tinga_, andthe _Jacare-curua_. Of the first kind was that which had pursued thetwo swimmers, and it was one of the largest of its species, fulltwenty-five feet from the point of its bony snout to the tip of itsserrated tail. No wonder they got out of its way!

  CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

  TREED BY AN ALLIGATOR.

  For a time the two refugees were without fear or care. They knew theywere out of reach, and, so long as they kept to their perch, were in nodanger. Had it been a jaguar instead of a jacare, it would have beenanother thing; but the amphibious animal could not crawl up the trunk ofa tree, nor yet ascend by the hanging limbs or llianas. Their onlyfeeling was that of chagrin at being stopped on their way back to theircompanions in the sapucaya, knowing that their return would beimpatiently expected. They could by shouting have made themselvesheard, but not with sufficient distinctness to be understood. Thematted tree-tops intervening would have prevented this. They thought itbetter to be silent, lest their shouts might cause alarm. Richard hopedthat the alligator would soon glide back to the haunt whence it hadsallied, and leave them at liberty to continue their journey, but theMundurucu was not so sanguine.

  There was something in the behaviour of the jacare he did not like,especially when he saw it quartering the water as if in search of thecreatures that had disappeared so mysteriously.

  "Surely it won't lie in wait for us?" was the first question put by hiscompanion. "You don't think it will?"

  "I do, young master, I do. That is just what troubles the Mundurucu.He may keep us here for hours,--perhaps till the sun goes down."

  "That would be anything but pleasant,--perhaps more so to those who arewaiting for us than to ourselves. What can we do?"

  "Nothing at present. We must have patience, master."

  "For my part, I shall try," replied the Paraense; "but it's veryprovoking to be besieged in this fashion,--separated by only a fewhundred yards from one's friends, and yet unable to rejoin orcommunicate with them."

  "Ah! I wish the _Curupira_ had him. I fear the brute is going to provetroublesome. The Mundurucu can read evil in his eye. Look! he has cometo a stand. He sees us! No knowing now when he will grow tired of ourcompany."

  "But has it sense enough for that?"

  "Sense! Ah! cunning, master may call
it, when he talks of the jacare.Surely, young master, you know that,--you who are a Paraense born andbred? You must know that these reptiles will lie in wait for a wholeweek by a bathing-place, watching for a victim,--some helpless child, oreven a grown man, who has been drinking too much _cashaca_. Ah yes!many's the man the jacare has closed his deadly jaws upon."

  "Well, I hope this one won't have that opportunity with us. We mustn'tgive it."

  "Not if we can help it," rejoined the Indian. "But we must be quiet,young master, if we expect to get out of this fix in any reasonabletime. The jacare has sharp ears, small though they look. He can hearevery word we are saying; ay, and if one were to judge by the leer inhis ugly eye, he understands us."

  "At all events, it appears to be listening."

  So the conversation sank to silence, broken only by an occasionalwhisper, and no gesture even made communication, for they saw theleering look of the reptile fixed steadily upon them. Almost two hourspassed in this tantalising and irksome fashion.

  The sun had now crossed the meridian line, and was declining westward.The jacare had not stirred from the spot. It lay like a log upon thewater, its lurid eyes alone proclaiming its animation. For more than anhour it had made no visible movement, and their situation was becominginsupportable.

  "But what can we do?" asked Richard, despairingly.

  "We must try to travel through the tree-tops, and get to the other side.If we can steal out of his sight and hearing, all will be well. TheMundurucu is angry with himself; he didn't think of this before. He wasfool enough to hope the jacare would get tired first. He might haveknown better, since the beast has tasted blood. That or hunger makeshim such a stanch sentinel. Come, young master!" added the Indian,rising from his seat, and laying hold of a branch. "We must make ajourney through the tree-tops. Not a word,--not a broken bough if youcan help it. Keep close after me; watch what I do, and do you exactlythe same."

  "All right, Munday," muttered the Paraense. "Lead on, old boy! I'll domy best to follow you."

  CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.

  AN AQUA-ARBOREAL JOURNEY.

  It may appear strange, incredible, absurd, that such a journey, forhowever short a distance, should have been attempted by human beings.No doubt to many it _will_ appear so, and be set down as ludicrouslyimprobable. Twenty minutes passed in the shadowy gloom of a SouthAmerican forest would strip the idea of travelling among the tree-topsof much of its improbability. In many places such a feat is quitepossible, and comparatively easy,--perhaps not so "easy as rolling off alog," but almost as much so as climbing to the top of one. In the great_montana_ of the Amazon there are stretches of forest, miles in extent,where the trees are so matted and interlaced as to form one continuous"arbour," each united to its immediate neighbours by natural stays andcables, to which the meshes formed by the rigging of a ship are as anopen network in comparison. In the midst of this magnificent luxurianceof vegetable life, there are birds, beasts, and insects that never setfoot upon the ground;--birds in a vast variety of genera and species;beasts--I mean quadrupeds--of many different kinds; insects of countlessorders; quadrumana that never touched _terra firma_ with any of theirfour hands; and, I had almost added, _man_. He, too, if not exclusivelyconfining himself to the tops of these forest-trees, may make themhabitually his home, as shall be seen in the sequel.

  It was no great feat, then, for the Mundurucu and his acolyte to make ashort excursion across the "spray" of the forest, since this is the verytimber that is so tied together. There was even less of danger than ina tract of woods growing upon the highlands or "Campos." A fall intothe Gapo could only entail a ducking, with a brief interruption of thejourney.

  It does not follow that their progress must be either swift or direct.That would depend upon the character of the trees and their parasites,--whether the former grew close together, and whether the latter werenumerous and luxuriant, or of scanty growth. To all appearance, Naturein that spot had been beneficent, and poured forth her vegetabletreasures profusely.

  The Indian, glancing through the branches, believed there would be nomore difficulty in getting to the other side of the belt of timber thatseparated them from the open water, than in traversing a thicket ofsimilar extent. With this confidence he set forth, followed by his lessexperienced companion. Both began and continued their monkey-like marchin the most profound silence.

  They knew that it was possible and easy for the alligator to bear themcompany; for although they were forced to pass through an almostimpervious thicket, down on the water it was altogether different.There was nothing to impede the progress of the saurian, huge as it was,except the trunks of the trees.

  To tell the truth, it was a toilsome trip, and both the travellers wereweary of it long before coming within sight of the open water on theopposite side. Often were they compelled to carry their own weight onthe strength of their arms, by hoisting themselves from tree to tree.Many a _detour_ had they to make, sometimes on account of theimpenetrable network of creepers, and sometimes because of open water,that, in pools, interrupted their route.

  The distance to be traversed was not over two hundred yards. Atstarting they knew not how far, but it proved about this measure. Ifthey had made their calculation according to time, they might haveestimated it at half a score of miles. They were a good hour and a halfon the journey; but the delay, with all its kindred regrets, wasforgotten, when they saw the open water before them, and soon afterfound themselves on the selvage of the submerged forest.

  CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.

  A TIMELY WARNING.

  On arriving among the outside frees, our explorers, homeward bound, sawsomething to cheer them,--something besides the bright sun and theshining waters of the Gapo. It was the sapucaya, still bearing itsstupendous fruit, the friends they had left behind them. The Paraenseappeared to be counting them, as if to make sure that all were stillsafe upon the tree. Perhaps he was only intent on the discovery of one,or, having discovered, was feeding his eyes upon her form, slender andgraceful in the distance. He would have shouted to apprise them of thesafety of himself and companion, had not a sign from the latter,accompanied by a few muttered words, counselled him to hold his peace.

  "Why not, Munday?"

  "Not a word, young master. We are not yet out of the woods; the jacaremay hear us."

  "We left it far behind in the igarape."

  "Ah, true! Who knows where he may be now? Not the Mundurucu. Themonster may have followed us. Who knows? He may be at this momentwithin twenty yards, waiting for us to come back into the water."

  As he spoke, the Indian looked anxiously behind him. He could discoverno cause of alarm. All was still under the shadow of the trees. Noteven a ripple could be seen upon the sombre surface of the water.

  "I think we've given it the slip," remarked Richard.

  "It looks so," responded the Indian. "The Mundurucu hears no sound,sees no sign. The jacare should still be in the igarape."

  "Why should we delay any longer? Several hours have elapsed since weleft the sapucaya. My uncle and everybody else will be out of allpatience. They will be distracted with sheer anxiety. They look as ifthey were. Though we have a good view of them, I don't suppose they seeus. If they did, they would be hailing us, that's certain. Let us taketo the water, and rejoin them."

  The Mundurucu, after looking once more to the rear, and listening for afew moments, replied, "I think we may venture."

  This was the cue for young Trevannion, and, lowering himself from thelimb on which he was supported, the two almost at the same instantcommitted themselves to the flood. Scarce had they touched the waterwhen their ears were assailed by a shout that came pealing across theGapo. It neither startled nor surprised them, for they could not failto comprehend its meaning. It was a cheer sent forth from the sapucaya,announcing their reappearance to the eyes of their anxious companions.Stimulated by the joyous tones, the two swimmers struck boldly out intothe open water.

  Rich
ard no longer thought of looking behind him. In a hasty glancedirected towards the sapucaya, as he rose after his first plunge uponthe water, he had seen something to lure him on, at the same timeabsorbing all his reflections. He had seen a young girl, standing erectwithin the fork of the tree, throw up her arms as if actuated by somesudden transport of joy. What could have caused it but the sight ofhim?

  The mind of the Mundurucu was far differently employed. His thoughtswere retrospective, not prospective. So, too, were his glances.Instead of looking forward to inquire what was going on among thebranches of the sapucaya, he carried his beardless chin upon hisshoulder, keeping his eyes and ears keenly intent to any sight or soundthat might appear suspicious behind him. His caution, as was soonproved, was neither unnatural nor superfluous, nor yet the counsel givento his companion to swim as if some swift and terrible pursuer wereafter him; for although the Indian spoke from mere conjecture, his wordswere but too true.

  The swimmers had traversed about half the space of open water that laybetween the sapucaya and the submerged forest. The Indian had purposelypermitted himself to fall into the wake of his companion, in order thathis backward view might be unobstructed. So far, no alligator showeditself behind them, no enemy of any kind; and in proportion as hisconfidence increased, he relaxed his vigilance. It seemed certain thejacare had given up the chase. It could not have marked their movementsamong the tree-tops, and in all likelihood the monster was still keepingguard near the opening of the igarape. Too happy to arrive at thisconclusion, the Indian ceased to think of a pursuit, and, after makingan effort, overtook the young Paraense, the two continuing to swimabreast. As there no longer appeared any reason for extraordinaryspeed, the swimmers simultaneously suspended the violent exertions theyhad been hitherto making, and with relaxed stroke kept on towards thesapucaya.