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Updated: June 16, 2025
A splendid prize it proved. It was a "jurara" tortoise the "tataruga," or great turtle of the Portuguese, and its shell was full three feet in diameter. Guapo's mode of capturing the "jurara" is the same as that generally practised by the Indians of the Amazon, although strong nets and the hook are also used.
The vampire appeared to be to Guapo's liking. It was now his turn to keep watch, and as the rest of them got into their hammocks, and lay awake for a while, they saw him take up the bat, spit it upon a forked stick, and commence broiling it over the fire. Of course he ate it! When morning came, and they had got up, what was their astonishment to see no less than fourteen bats lying side by side!
Such was Guapo's account of these curious animals which are found only in the warmer regions of North and South America. Conversing in this way, the bark-hunters, at length, reached the cinchona-trees, and then all talk about armadillos was at an end. They went lustily to their work which was of more importance and, under Guapo's axe, several of the cinchonas soon "bit the dust."
Guapo's experience went beyond the theoretical knowledge of the botanist. Guapo knew a vegetable which was good to eat in fact, a most delicious vegetable when cooked with meat. Among naked rocks, in the most barren parts of the desert wilderness, the wild agave may be found growing in luxuriance.
After mutual deliberation, therefore, they resolved not to prolong their stay beyond the early part of spring, when they would carry out their original design of building a balza raft, and commit themselves to the great river, which, according to all appearance, and to Guapo's confident belief, flowed directly to the Amazon.
The heaviest part of the sentinel's duty fell to Guapo's share; but Guapo had long accustomed himself to go without sleep, and did not mind it; moreover Don Pablo took longer spells at the stern-oar during the day, and allowed Guapo many a "cat-nap."
Before the scene was quite over, however, the Indian begged Don Pablo to let him shoot, reminding him how much they stood in need of a little "monkey-meat." This had the effect Guapo desired; the consent was given, and the gravatana was pointed diagonally upwards. Once more Guapo's cheeks were distended once more came the strong, quick puff and away went the arrow.
Don Pablo and his companions were running to and fro Guapo was tumbling about where he had fallen and the great lizard was writhing and flapping his tail, so that pots, pans, half-burnt faggots, and even Guapo's monkey, were being knocked about in every direction. Of course such a violent scene could not be of long duration. It must end one way or the other.
At other times Guapo wore a species of poncho like his master, but that of the Indian was of common stuff woven out of the coarse wool of the llama. His head was bare. Guapo's features were thin, sharp, and intelligent.
As I live, it is the yerba maté, the "Paraguay tea." What shall we light upon next? And so the delighted travellers went on, over the ground, through the thick-tangled weeds and convolvuli, making new discoveries at every step. Even Guapo's favourite, the coca-shrub, was found growing among the rest, and the eyes of the old Indian sparkled at the sight of it.
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