CHAPTER XXII.

The escape—Alone in the wilderness—Fight between «a jaguar and aa
alligatovr—Martin encowaters strange and terrible creatures.

REEDOM can be fully appreciated only by those
fk who have been for a long period deprived of
liberty. It is impossible to comprehend the feelings
of joy that welled up in Martin’s -bosom as he clam-
bered up the rugged cliffs among which he had found
shelter, and looked round upon the beautiful valley,
now lying in the shadow of the mountain range
behind which the sun had just set. He sat down on
a rock, regardless of the wet condition of his clothes,
and pondered long and earnestly over his position,
which was still one of some danger; but a sensation
of light-hearted recklessness made the prospect before
him seem very bright. He soon made up his mind
what to do. The weather was extremely warm, so
that after wringing the water out of his linen clothes
he experienced little discomfort; but he felt. that
there would not only be discomfort but no little