In Search of an Unknown Race — page 51: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

VAN. | 43 tree, which themselves were interwoven with matted vines. The intermediate boughs had been removed to the height of about eight feet, and the extreme ends of those above brought down in a sort of arch to the edge of the platform. Ingeniously arranged among and above them was a Sloping roof of closely woven flags, quite imper- | vious to the occasional light showers of the dry season. At the further extremity were three grass hammocks, and a rude stone fireplace, beside which crouched a scantily attired Indian woman, whose dark eyes glanced curiously at the prisoner. _ The old Indian at Van’s head addressed the woman in asharp undertone. Rising, she pulled from an over- hanging branch a bright scarf of native manufacture, which she tossed to her dark-skinned companion. In less time than I have taken to write it, the scarf was tightly drawn across Van’s mouth and his wrists lashed like his ankles. Then being laid gently on a pile of jaguar skins, he had an opportunity to reflect on his serious situation, as well as to further examine the ap- pearance of his captors. Both the older and younger of the Indians were un- like any of those he had yet seen along the river banks where the three travelers had stopped from time to time. They had rather pleasant, regular features of olive hue, and hair with a slight tendency to curl at the ends. As he was attentively regarding them, the oldest one suddenly threw up his hand warningly. Through thestillness of the nearing twilight Van heard the regular dip of paddles! ‘¢ Van—Mr. Briscoe!” EOmicbdoo “S (E(0)