“Those matted woods ...
Where crouching tigers wait their hapless prey,”

anxious to study nature in her own sanctuary; but, owing to the unfortunate state of affairs in the country, I did not enjoy long my cherished dreams of exploring it through all its extent. Sufficient information was, however, obtained in my rambles through the plains, to enlarge upon a subject scarcely touched upon by travellers.

Thus from my earliest days have I been associated with the scenes forming the text of the present narrative, which I venture to lay before the public, trusting more in the indulgence and characteristic generosity of the Anglo-Saxon race toward foreigners, than in my own ability to fulfil the arduous undertaking.

CONTENTS.

CHAP. PAGE
Introduction,[xi]
[I.] The Departure,[1]
[II.] The Morros,[16]
[III.] The Llanos,[26]
[IV.] The Llaneros,[40]
[V.] Scenes at the Fishery,[57]
[VI.] Wild Horses,[74]
[VII.] Across the Pampas,[85]
[VIII.] La Portuguesa,[99]
[IX.] The Apure River,[116]
[X.] Savannas of Apure,[133]
[XI.] El Frio,[148]
[XII.] Birds of Ill Omen and Carrion Hawks,[163]
[XIII.] The Rodeo,[175]
[XIV.] Branding Scenes,[189]
[XV.] Plants and Snakes,[202]
[XVI.] Tiger Stories,[222]
[XVII.] Shooting Adventures,[238]
[XVIII.] Mata Totumo,[250]
[XIX.] Monkey Notions,[262]
[XX.] Among the Crocodiles,[281]
[XXI.] The Cimarronera,[294]
[XXII.] Los Borales,[315]
[XXIII.] Our Leader,[329]
[XXIV.] Scenes at the Pass of Apurito,[362]
[XXV.] The Wonders of the River,[378]
[XXVI.] The Land of El Dorado,[391]
[XXVII.] The Oil Wells of the Orinoco,[430]
[XXVIII.] Homeward Bound,[448]
[XXIX.] Calabozo,[460]

NOTE.

The favorable—I may say flattering—notice which the previous editions of the Wild Scenes in South America received from the press of this country, and more especially from that of Great Britain, has encouraged the Author of that work to make several material changes, not only in the text—whole chapters having been stricken out and their place supplied by new matter—but in the general plan of the book, with the object of presenting it to the young American reader—to whom this edition is especially devoted—in a form which will convey a more comprehensive view of the wonders of a region scarcely known here, except to the scientific through the works of Baron von Humboldt and other European travellers who have visited it from time to time in the pursuit of knowledge, or for pleasure. It is to be hoped, however, that with the increased facilities offered by the various lines of steamships now plying regularly between this country and various points in South America, a more lively interest than hitherto has been evinced here, will be aroused among the citizens of the Great Republic towards countries which, by their geographical position and other natural advantages, are destined to become the emporiums of a vast trade with the United States of North America.

INTRODUCTION.

“Know’st thou the land where the citron grows,
Where midst its dark foliage the golden orange glows?
Thither, thither let us go.”
Goethe.

To Young America: