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Updated: June 9, 2025
The only creatures it could not keep out were the mosquitoes; but as my mother had thoughtfully brought some mosquito-curtains, we were able to set those tormenting creatures at defiance. The hut was finished, and Chumbo was at a little distance cutting firewood when we heard him shriek out, "A snake! a snake! I am bitten!" Kanimapo instantly ran towards him. "Let me see the wound," he said.
In the case of Chumbo, however, I was not satisfied that the antidote had been really required, for he confessed to me that he believed he had been bitten by a coral snake which he declared was most venomous, whereas I have since learned that it is perfectly harmless. But I believe that no specific has yet been discovered to prevent the fatal effects of bites by the more venomous snakes.
I then took aim at one of the birds perched on the boughs, which I happily brought to the ground. "Now run, Chumbo! run! before the rest of the creatures come down upon us," I shouted out. "Let me get hold of this one first, Massa Barry," he answered; and seizing his late antagonist by the neck he dragged it along, while I treated the one I had just shot after the same manner.
The alligators were much smaller than those I had seen in the Magdalena, and both Gerald and Tim assured us that they never attacked human beings. Having left our horses in charge of our black servant, Chumbo, we set off to get a shot at the wild-fowl, some of which the doctor wanted to stuff, while we agreed they would also serve us for dinner.
As I saw them perched on the branches, tearing away at huge masses of flesh, I must say that, notwithstanding their regal titles, they had a very repulsive appearance. Chumbo told me how, in despair of getting any supper, he had rushed in and attacked the vulture with which I had found him struggling. Happily, he had come off without any material injury.
My father at once decided to ascend the mountain on foot; while Tim volunteered, with Chumbo, to conduct the horses and mules round by the way Kanimapo described to him. Led by the Indian, we therefore recommenced the ascent of the mountain without delay.
The next morning the doctor accompanied us back to skin the jaguar I had shot, and to bring home the remainder of the venison with the exception of a portion left for Chumbo, which he cut up into strips and dried in the sun, so that it might keep good for some time.
Chumbo showed where the snake had bitten his leg; when Kanimapo produced a small bottle from his waist-belt, and poured a few drops from it into the wound. He then desired Chumbo to swallow a little of the decoction which he gave him. "You will suffer no harm from the bite," he added; "and if you see another snake, cut off its head and bring it to me."
Fortunately, our animals had not suffered from the jaguars, though Chumbo had seen the very creature which was so nearly pouncing down on Kathleen, but had driven it off with firebrands. We at once, therefore, made preparations for our departure.
Before we started, we sent off the villagers with the wounded men and all our own blacks, with the exception of one a faithful fellow named Chumbo, who had been chiefly instrumental in the capture of the traitor Gab, and had frequently exhibited great affection for us.
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