. .-._.... I . PELEG SMITH; on, ADVENTURES IN THE TROPICS. BY BOYNTON H. BELKNAP, M. D. NEW YORK: BEADLE AND ADAMS, l’UBLlSliiL‘liS, (:8 WILLIAM STREET. .50". warding to Act 0! Congress, in the lur I”, by BEADLE AND COMPANY. k“. Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the {mum scan (u 1). Southern Dun-m 0: New Yul PELEG SMITH. CHAPTER I. run ADVENTURERB. Three men were seated in a canoe, which was glid- ing slowly along under the northern bank of the Orin- oco. The first personage was John Martin, a pursy, jovial, good-natured Englishman, who, being a bache- lor, possessing considerable wealth, had passed the last fifteen years of his life in traveling over the world. He was one of those mild-tempered, credu— lous fellows, who was forever getting into trouble, and getting out again without any ill result to himself. He had journeyed over the most part of the Conti- nent and of Asia, and “had started to discover the source of the Nile, so as to head off Spoke and Grant, who undertook their expedition about the same. time, He averred he would have solved that problem (which has puzzled the world for centuries, and which, in the opinion of many, has not been settled as yet by any means), if he hadn‘t got lost in the “ 'orrid country,” and found that it taxed him to the utmost to make I0 PELEG SMITH. his way hack into civilization again. ,In his travels he had frequently visited the most pestilential districts, and exposed himself to the malignant diseases; and yet, strange to say, he had never experienced a day’s sickness, and never lost that extraordinary appetite which seemed never satiated. \Ve occasionally en- counter such individuals, who are invulnerable against. disease, and although they may he said to be slaves to their own enjoyment, yet, in deli nice of the laws of nature, bid fair to live to n patriarclng old age, and then to (lie of natural de -::y. John i artin was such a man. He had seen nlnmt forty years of plaeid, earthly enjoyment, that left him with :in iinpertnrb‘ihlo temper,n shiny, rnhieand tune, a plump 3p earance gene‘ally that abundantly qnn‘ilied him to answer as the typical representative ol'Juhn “'1”. Finally. before setting down in “ llold ll'england," he coneinded he must “ do“ South America. Ac- cordingly, h i made his way, in a leisurely manner, to the \Vest Indies, snmking, sleeping. and rea-ling most; of the vay. Upon reaching linvnna, he took a couple of weeks to "repose his \vearied frame,” as he ex— presued it-—.20 PELEG’SMITU. Orinoco, which brings us to the point at which we opened our story. “This will do," muttered the guide, using the Eu- glish tongue out of compliment to his visitors. “Are there plenty of fish here?" inquired Martin. “There are plenty of fish everywhere in Venezuela, but the spot is shady, and will suit you.” “ That is true. and neow if you want to see the fish hauled in, hand over hand, just watch me," said Peleg Smith, enthusiastically, as he took a line and tackle from his friend, and they both made preparations to begin the sport; but neither of 'the two noted a grim half-smile upon the face of their guide, as he ceased rowing, and watched their motions. ' “ Don't you wish to fish ?" asked Martin, blandly. “I have other lines, and can lend you one.” “ No; I will watch you.” “ l’oor feller; don’t know how,” said Smith, pity- ingly. “Jose, just watch me and learn." Martin and Smith cast over their lines at the same moment. Each was provided with a half-dozen books, which were baited in the most approved manner. As these sank below the surface, each settled back with a look of complaisanee, confident of reaping a bountiful harvest in this river, which probably has no superior in the world, as regards the quantity of animal life it icontains. “ Now, Jose, keep yer eyes on my line, if you want to enjoy a feast. Just set near the bow of the boat, so that I won’t be apt to fling the fish in your lap.” The guide obediently slid back so far that he came near shoving himself into the water, and both Smith and Martin braced themselves so as not to be taken at fault when the proper moment should come. PELEG SMITH. 21 Strange to tell, not either of the lines was agitated, although both anglers waited for full three quarters of an hour, and although it was certain the river was literally “ swimming” with fish. The good-natured Englishman sat as patiently as a statue, hardly once removing his eyes from his line, except to watch for a moment the antics of Pugg, which occasionally became irrepressible, notwithstanda ing the admonitions of his former master. Peleg Smith after the lapse of ten minutes or thereabouts, muttered: “ Confound it!" and shortly afterwards he added: “ It beats all natur !" and when the three-folu'ths-of- an-hour had nearly elapsed, he burst out: “ Blast- natin, what does it :11. mean? Jose, what in thunder are you laughing at ‘2” “ What Occasion, Jose, is there for this mirth? It strikes me as most unseemly," added Martin, gravely. “ He! he! he! look at bait.” The words were scarce out of his mouth when both our friends jerked their lines from the water. In fact, they brought forth nothing but the lines, as the sink- ers and every hook were gone! “What has been playing the mischief with our bait 1” asked the Englishman, in amazement. “Whe-ew!” whistled the New Englander, as be scrutinized the remaining portion of his line; “ that's 8 [Mia ahead 0’ the time when I went a-fishing in the Cuyhoga Creek in Connecticut. I baited with a bull- frog, and I‘ll be hanged if the bottle-eyed imp didn‘t crawl right out of the water, and sit on a log, for two hours grinning at me. I got so tired of seeing him at last that I flung a stick at him. and then found out. for 22 PELEG SMITH. the-first time that he was my own bait. Jose, What are you laughing at? \Vhat has done this '2” “He, he, he! Cari/[e bite him off!” " Caribel \Vhat kind of an animal is that f?” “See dat?” said Jones, holding up his left hand, thereby showing that it was minus its little finger, “ Caribe bite him off!” The guide thereupon proceeded to explain that the Cru-z'be is a small fish that infests the waters of the northern part of South America, and is one ot the most voracious little monsters that ever was given the breath of life. Although but a few inches in length, these creatures seem capable of destroying almost anything with which it is possible for them to come in contact. When a boy, Jose had attempted to catch one in his hand, and emphatically “ caught a Tartar,” for he lost one of his fingers by the rash experiment. We to the reckless bather who ventures in their midst. If he do not speedily efl'ect his escape, there is no es- cape for him. “ If this ain‘t the derndest country I ever tramde in!” exclaimed Peleg Smith. “Just think of the dangers we have come through to git here, and now I don’t s'pose we’ve seen half the danger—eh, Jose “2" “ Dat so.” “It’s a ’orrid country! I’ve fished in the Nile with them hooks without having ’em hurt, and now they‘re gone 3” “I was thinking that t” A nasty, wriggling sort of snake came writhing down through the branches, falling upon Smith’s hat, and then dropping clown in the middle of the-boat, where it gathered itself up, as if to make ready to ough! what under heavens is PELEG supra. 23 strike. The dog uttered a sharp yelp, and sprang to- ward it, but ere he could reach it Jose crushed it with the ear. ‘ “Is that critter poisonous?" asked Smith, as the guide flung: it overboard. \“ IIim bite, sure kill. Look up.” 1 The adventurers did, and descried nearly adozen of the horrid reptiles writhing in the branches over. head. Martin instantly commanded the guide to row out into the stream, so as to get out of their reach. “While we‘re about it, I think you may as well row ashore, and we’ll go up to'the house and get dinner—- that is, if Mr. Smith has no objection.” “No, I‘m quite anxious; as I noticed Jose's friend has a very handsome female friend in the house, and I’ve a hankerng to nuke her acquaintance.” Accordingly the guide turned the bow of the bent toward shore. PELEG SMITH. CHAPTER III. A swoon“: courses. The canoe had passed one half the intervening dis- tance, when Jose’s face suddenly blanched, and he muttered something in an excited manner, as he backed water, and sent the frail vessel back into the middle of the stream. “What’s up? , You got a cramp 2" asked Smith. “ Holy Maria! we came near death.” “ Whereabout might he be ?” asked Martin, taking the cigar from his mouth, and looking composedly around him. “On the shore.” “I see nothing of him, Jose; you must be mis- taken.” “Perhaps, neow, it was the echoes of my voice he heard ?" said Smith, “I’m well aware it has atery- rible sound; but you can get used to it. I was treed one time by a whole pack of wolves—I’d never have got away, if I hadn‘t gone to singing, and scart ’em all." “It might be a. good idea, my friend, to frighten away the grim fellow by the same means.” This frivolity was all lost upon Jose, the guide. Having withdrawn to a safe distance, he now gazed toward We shore as if fascinated by some strange ani- mal; All at once, he aspirated: PELEG SMITH. “ Look I” The two gazed, but saw nothing unusual. cessive fright of this man, who had spent his lite among the wilds of South America, must certainly have some foundation. Still the mystery was what it could possibly be, and still remain invisible to their eyes, at least. i That particular portion where they had purposed to land, consisted of thick heavy mud. over which, with alittle care, they might walk without soiling their feet; but which, if careless, they would probably sink to a considerable depth. Here the two adventurers did not deem it worthy to look. They directed their vision to the plain beyond, and to the wood that fringed it. Martin, finally, became impatient: ‘ “We have looked and looked, as you requested, Jose, but see nothing. Are there any wild animals in the wood, or“— “Not the wood—nothing there.” “Where then can it be “I” “Look in the mud!” For the first time they critically examined the shore. .As Smith did so, he either saw, or fancied he detect- ed, a movement of its surface, as though agitated by something underneath. “What can it mean 'I Do you notice how the mud moves ‘1” queried he of his companion. “I do, now that you have called my attention to it. It can’t be there's avolcano about to burst up and overwhelm us 2” ‘»‘ More likely an alligator,” replied Smith. “ We might have landed right square on his back. He must be purty good~sized, J ose.” The ex~ 26 'PELEG SMITII. “ He ain't an alligator.” ' “He ain’t! What can he be then 2" “ Wait and you will see. Look 1” Several hundred yards away, a huge buffalo ball was Seen leisurely approaching, as if to drink. Jose in- stantly ran the canoe under the opposite bank, where they would observe the drama without inter- rupting it. The ball, when a few rods from the shore, raised his head and srmflld the air, as if he scented danger, but continued to ad rance, apparently satisfied that nothing menaced him. In the memitime the eyes of both Martin and Smith beeme fixed upon that portion of the mud which first attracted attention. \Vhen fixedly Viewed, it could be seen to rise and sink in gentle, but regular respirations, proving that some huge animal lay beneath it, waiting and watching for its prey. Onward came. the hull. step by step, his eyes now fixed upon the water which had drawn him thither. Suddenly the mud was seen to fly upward, as if a shell had burst beneath, an immense body of prodi- gious length shot outward, like the arm of a human being in the act of striking a blow, and a bellow of pain and terror proved that the bull had suddenly become sensible of the attempt upon his life. With such amazing suddenness did everything oc- cur, that it was a moment before our friends realized what had really taken place. They then saw that an immense serpent of the constrictor species had been concealed in the mud, waiting for some prey to come ‘into its maws. Tue bull chancing to be the first, it had struck its PELEG SMITH. 27 teeth into the tough cartilaginous nose, where they were now immovably fixed. As quick as lightning the old bull realized the " frightful peril that had burst. upon him. The tail of ‘ the serpent was buried in the mud, where it would re- quire all the powers of earth to dislodge it. In fact, as Smith afterwards expressed it, if I-Iencke’s comet had been hitched to the head of the serpent, it could not have budng the stern. On the other hand. the bull seemed actuated by the same stubborn determination. The object ofthe snake was to draw his prey to him; and the object of the latter was not to let him do it, and nony did he exert himself. Plantng his feet firmly in the ground, he at. first contented himself with merely resisting the strength of his enemy. The latter pulled with a power that was incredible. The feet of the buff-lo sank into the yielding mud, but his limbs did not bend. His neck was pulled perfectly straight, and he bellowed almost constantly; but there was no yielding. He was plucky and game to the last. Tighter and tighter became the tension, until the body of the snake elongated, and became as rigid an Iron. » , “ If I was only there, to draw my jack-knife across it,” muttered Smith, who was deeply interested in the contest. “ It would take only a nick to make that body crack in two like a piece of India rubber.” “ The bull will crack it for him, if his nose doesn’t give out," replied Martin. “That can't be possible." For full fifteen minutes the snake pulled and pulled. 28 PEL'EG SMITH. He would relax his tension, then instantly renew it. then cease, and then renew it again. If the fool had only drawn his tail out of the mud, he might have crushed the animal to a jelly almost in an instant; but he hadn’t enough sense for that, nor enough pru- dence to withdraw his fangs, when he discovered there was no possibility of embracing the quadruped. Again and again he repeated his efforts, until weak and tired he ceased for a respite. It was now the old bull‘s turn. The moment he comprehended the strait of his adversary, he began retreating inch by inch. He raised each foot very carefully, for he was on the lookout for any sudden coup de main. The snake allowed himself to be drawn out perhaps a foot, when he concentrated all the terrible strength under his control, and made a counter movement, with such power that the feet of the bull sank deeper and deeper than ever in the mud, and he howled and lashed his tail in agony. But never a jot did he yield. He would have al~ lowed his head to be pulled from his body before doing so. The enormous strain of the reptile lasted but a moment, when it became comparatively lax again. That very instant the bull recommenced his retreat. Inch by inch, as before, but surely and unmistakably, was he “drawing out” his mortal enemy. The latter resisted to the utmost of his power, but it was all of no avail. Longer and longer became that dark, hideous mass, and thinner, until it seemed as taut as if made of iron. “Pull away, my fine fellow,” exclaimed John Mar- PELEG SMITH. ‘29 L13 tin. “ You are a plucky customer. You being a bull, ave are a fit representative oi Hold Henglmld. A little m . stronger, but careful.” . Wu: “ Yes; be careful,” admonished the New Englander, rising in the canoe; “be careful, or you'll bust your he.“ nose.” In the dreadful conflict that was going on, the bull appeared to understand that he had friends, and the, he latter even fancied that they saw his great brown eyes an wink knowingly toward them. . ’Hy Strongly and steadily the four-footed contestant en applied his strength, which was prodigious, and his ‘ adversary began to suffer the same pain that he was S ; I enduring; but the noble fellow never for a moment Eh ‘ ceased his efforts, although every inch that he * withdrew added a pang to the extremity of his suf- lud ferings. . . - Id Matters were approaching a crisis; they could not remain long as they were, and the issue was sooner 1. than the spectators expected. :0 \Vith a wild snort, the bull gave a swing of his d head, and at the same moment, the body of the x snake snapped in two, about three feet from the head. \Vhirling around, the rejoicing quadruped dashed axgy with the remarkable appendage dangling from ’. ;‘ his nose. 1 “What will he do to get rid of that 1" inquired ; Martin, as Jose applied his paddle, and they began to f approach the other shore. “ Run around for a week or two with that hanging to his nose, then it’ll drOp ofi‘.” “He's as plucky a bull as one which my father 3 ~ owned in Connecticut. When they built the railroad 30 I’ELEG SMITH. through our place, the old mm: turned the bull into the field. And when he saw the engine coming along. he threw up his tail aml charged down the road to meet it. They cmne together with :1 crash that sounded like an earthquake. I saw the pieces fly, and innnmllntvly ran to the spot. The loco- mutlve was all slaved in; nml as for the bull, all that we ever found of him was one horn and (Ice up of“: tail l” PELEG SMITH. \ CHAPTER IV. VALEQUERO AND ms DAUGHTER. The friend of Jose, the guide—Valeqncro by name ——dwelt but a comparatively short distance from the Orinoco. He was a man of considerable means, and for a number of years had kept a sort of inn within this South American wilderness—if such a thing can be considered possible. The house of Valeqnero was mentioned as far away as ltio Janeiro. and always in the best of terms. Amid the varied species of South American population it thus happened that he in quently entertained people whose character was not above suspicion. His ar- rangements were such that he could accommodate some thirty or forty when put to the pinch, although his ordinary accommodations were for less than half that number. Valequero never questioned his guests, and never knew anything regarding their business; that is, he never admitted that he knew anything, although, be- yond all doubt, he had many strange secrets stored in that reticent brain of his. I}e made it his business to attend to the physical comforts of his guests, to treat them kindly, to admit them when they chose to come, and allow them to de- part at whatever hour they elected, whether it was midday or midnight. 32 PELE'G SMITH. Valequero had been a widower for several years. His housekeeper was a StOlltl, silent woman, who re- 1 sembled an intelligent machine more than anything else—working, toiling and drudging, days at a time. Without as much as changing a word with those around her. Valequero had a daughter, Nina by name, who seemed the opposite of her father in almost every re- spect. She had his jet black eyes, and his raven tresses, and his Greek nose; but here the analogy closed. He was sturdy and heavy, she as light and buoyant as a fawn; he silent, almost to moroseness, she as talkative as a child, and with'a flow of spirits that never failed her. ' Nina had not yet reached the years of woman- hood; but in that rich, tropical climate she had fully nurtured, and was a creature that might well be com- pared to the brilliant birds that serve to relieve the monotony of the gloomy South American forests. She was talkative and lively to all who came beneath her father‘s roof, but never forwanl. . “ VVomau‘s, weakness is her strength,” and the per- foot innocence and simplicity of Nina, under the kind hand of llem en, had shielded her from all insult and harm. Many a rough, untamed Llanero, who had paused at her house, and who held the most abased ~ opinions of woman-kind, had had their thoughts puri- fied, and their natures bettered by the words and con- duct of this young rose of the wilderness. Velaquero, although very umlernonstrative in his nature, loved his daughter thh an affection that was almost idolatrous. He would have faced death at any time for her sake, and woe to the man who offered her harm or insult in his presence. y PELEG SMITH, 83’ Peieg Smith was fairly dazzled by the wit and beauty of Nina. He and Martin were some distance ‘ away, when they saw her flit across the covered porch that extended along the front of the house. “ I swaeow—ehl hello! By gracious! who‘s that? /My ears didn’t deceive my eye-sight,” said he, rub. bing his eyes, and looking around him in a bewilder- ed manner. “ Martin, that was a girl of the feminine ‘ gender that passed my/vision, wasn’t it ‘1” ’ “ IIi think so; that is, if it wasn‘t any other per- son," replied the Englishman, betraying considerable interest in the case. ‘ “It beats all—~I never seen the like—reminds me of Jerusha Jewhillikins, up in Connecticut—weighs a hundred and ninety-three pounds—three and a half feet high in her smoking feet—wears shoes number elevens—huir red, ole, etc.” “ How can this delicate piece of horgnnism remind you of such a squash 2" asked Martin, his face grow- ing red at this affront offered the beautiful girl.” “ She‘s a gal, Jeruslul, ain‘t she? “I s‘pose so; has that is a female happellution.” “ We], this stranger is a gal, hain‘t she “l” “ Hi am well satisfied hon that point.” “ “'31, then, why shouldn‘t I be reminded ‘?” “ I'Ii see the point; Hi didn't get at your meaning at first; Hi understand—no ’ard feelings. you ,know, ' Smith; Hi didn‘t mean anything," replied Mun-Lin, in his good-natured, jocose manner. ' “ All right, then—needn‘t say anything more about My gracious! where‘s my dog? Here, Pugg!” Peleg Smith screwed up his mouth, and whistled very industriously for a few moments, entirely obli- vious to everything else that was going on around it. 34 PELEG SMITH. him. This labor was speedily rewarded by Pngg, who came tumbling forward, seemingly as re- joiced to meet his master as the latter was to meet lJiixi. Smith now turned to Jose, the guide: “ Say, Jose, who is she?” jerking his thumb in a mysterious manner over his shoulder toward the mu. “ \Vho mean ?” “That piece of mechanism of the feminine gentler that flitted to View a. moment or two since." “ Nina anequero, daughter of my friend the inn- keeper." ' “ You don't my! “Only a ('lliitl.” “Just so-——:1 child at a very interestinfz age. Eeen a sweet baby, 1 s pose, and it’s lit‘lfl’. growing on her ever since.” “ Fine girl, everybody likes her.” “Just so; but they don‘t love her." “ ller father does." “You know what I mean. She lmin't got any fellers hanging round that pretend that the father is a very entertainin’ old hoss, when they menu her all the time?" “Vulequero don‘t say :1 dozen words :1 year.” “All right; then l s‘lmse the gal does the rest Nina, you Swid her name was '3” “ Yes, Nina.” . “ I hope,” said Martin, in a very timid manner. “she doesn't hentertztln any prejudice against Hold I‘Ieng‘lmltl, or those that claim that country as the place of their na'i. ity I" Married 'l" 1gig", 1'8- teet rub the u- ll! PELEG SMITH. 85. Jose smiled at the soberness of both his employers, and hastened to reply. “She be kind and respectful to all who come." “You will give me an introduction, Jose “2” said Smith, in an anxious manner. “Tell her you‘re from the United States ‘2” “Yes, by gracioth I :iin‘t ashamed of that, and never will be. P'r'nps, Mnrtin would like to have you any the same thingulwnt him" “ lli'in from Hold llenglnnd, and proud ofit. llof course, Jere will :nniu; us both :teqmintetl. Loml on." l’eleg Smith removed his c:1p,:‘m