MARTIN RATTLER. 147

enough to think about with profit for some time to
come.”

And Barney did think about it, and ponder it,
and revolve it in his mind, for many days after,
while he worked with Martin and the old trader at
the paddles of their montaria. They found the work
of canoeing easier than had been anticipated; for
during the summer months the wind blows steadily
up the river, and they were enabled to hoist their
mat-sail and bowl along before it against the stream.

Hotels and inns there were none—for Brazil does
not boast of many such conveniences, except in the
chief towns—so they were obliged, in travelling, to
make use of an empty hut or shed, when they chanced
to stop at a village, and to cook their own victuals.
More frequently, however, they preferred to encamp
in the woods, slinging their hammocks between the
stems of the trees, and making a fire sometimes, to
frighten away the jaguars, which, although seldom
seen, were often heard at night. They met large
canoes and montarias occasionally coming down the
stream, and saw them hauled up on shore, while their
owners were cooking their breakfast in the woods ;
and once they came upon a solitary old Indian in a
very curious position. They had entered a small

stream in order to procure a few turtles’ eggs, of