MARTIN RATTLER. 181

there’s an alligator going to snap it up. Look alive,
man !”

In a few seconds the canoe was backed and the
straw-hat rescued from its perilous position.

“Tt’s an ill wind that blows nae euid, as the
Scotch say,” remarked Barney, rising in the canoe
and reaching towards something among the over-
hanging branches. “ Here’s wan o’ them trees that
old black-face calls a maraja, with some splendid
bunches o’ fruit on it. Hould yer hat, Martin;
there’s more nor enough for supper anyhow.”

As he spoke, a rustling in the leaves told that
monkeys were watching them, and Marmoset kept
peeping up as if she half expected they might be
relations. But the moment the travellers caught
sight of them they bounded away screaming.

Having gathered as much fruit as they required,
they continued their voyage, and presently emerged
into the pleasant sunshine in a large grassy lake,
which was filled with lilies and beautiful water-
plants, little yellow bladder-worts, with several other
plants of which they knew not the names, especially
‘one with a thick swollen stalk, curious leaves, and
bright-blue flowers. This lake was soon passed, and
they again entered into the gloomy forest, and
paddled among the lofty trunks of the trees, which