I Remained Behind To Water
The Animals, And Protect Our Goods From Any Prowling Savage Who Might
Chance To Be In The Neighborhood.
My saddle-bed was spread under a
large burning bush, or incense tree, and my self-imposed duty was
to keep a fire burning in the open, that its smoke might be seen by
day and its light by night.
Going exploring a little, I discovered a much better descent down the
precipice, and water was more easily brought up. Indeed, I decided
that, if a certain deep chasm were bridged over, it might be possible
to get the horses themselves to descend by a winding way. With this
object in view I felled saplings near the place, and in a few hours
constructed a rough bridge, strong enough to bear a horse's weight.
Whether the animals could smell the water flowing at the bottom, or
were more agile than I had thought, I cannot tell, but they descended
the almost perpendicular path most wonderfully, and soon were taking
draughts of the precious liquid with great gusto. Leaving the horses
to enjoy their drink, I ascended the stream for some distance, in
order to discover, if possible, where the flow came from. Judge of my
surprise when I found that the water ran out of a grotto, or cavern,
in the face of the cliff-out of the unknown darkness into the
sunlight! Walking up the bed of the stream, I entered the cave, and,
striking a few matches, found it to be inhabited by hundreds of
vampire bats, which were hanging from the sides and stalactites of
the roof, like so many damp, black rags. On my entrance the unearthly
creatures were disturbed, and many came flying in my face, so I made
a quick exit. Several which I killed came floating down the stream
with me; one that I measured proved to be twenty-two inches across
the wings. My exploration had discovered the secret of the clots of
blood we had been finding on the horses' necks every morning. The
vampire-bats, in their nightly flights, had been sucking the life-
blood of our poor, already starving animals! It is said these
loathsome creatures - half beast, half bird - fan their victim to sleep
while they drain out the red blood. Provided with palm torches, I
again entered the cavern, but could not penetrate its depths; it
seemed to go right into the bowels of the mountain. Exploring down
stream was more successful, for large flamingoes and wild ducks and
geese were found in plenty.
That night I carefully staked out the horses all around the camp-fire
and lay down to think and sleep and dream. Old Stabbed Arm had not
returned, and I was alone with nature. Several times I rose to see if
the horses were securely tied, and to kill any bats I might find
disturbing them. Rising in the grey dawn, I watered the horses,
cooked a piece of ostrich meat, and started off on foot for a short
distance to explore the country to the north, where I saw many
indications that tapirs were numerous.
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