206 MARTIN RATTLER.

of attempting to escape; but whenever he wandered
a little further than usual into the woods, he found
that he was watched and followed by a tall and
powerful savage, whose duty it evidently was to see
that the prisoner did not escape. The fearful idea
now entered Martin’s mind that he was reserved for
torture, and perhaps a lingering death; for he had
read that many savage nations treated their prisoners
in this cruel manner, for the gratification of the
women who had lost relations in the war. But as no
violence was offered to him in the meantime, and he
had as much farina and fruit to eat as he could use,
his mind gradually became relieved, and he en-
deavoured as much as possible to dismiss the terrible
thought altogether.

The Indian village occupied a lovely situation at
the base of a gentle hill or rising ground, the summit
of which was clothed with luxuriant trees and shrubs.
The huts were of various shapes and sizes, and very
simple in construction. They were built upon the
bare ground. Some were supported by four corner
posts, twelve or fifteen feet high, and from thirty to
forty feet long, the walls being made of thin laths
connected with wicker-work and plastered with clay.
The doors were made of palm-leaves, and the roofs

were covered with the same material, or with maize