“Arrah! it’s well for us, Martin, that we’re used to goin’ aloft,” said he, “or that same bridge would try our narves a little.”

“So it would, Barney.  I’ve seldom seen a more uncomfortable-looking contrivance.  If we lost our hold we should first be dashed to pieces on the rocks, and then be drowned in the river.”

Difficult though the passage seemed, however? it was soon accomplished by the active savages in safety.  The only one of the party likely to be left behind was Grampus; whom his master, after much entreaty in dumb-show, was permitted to carry over by tying him firmly to his shoulders.  Marmoset crossed over walking, like a tight-rope dancer, being quite au fait at such work.  Soon after they came to another curious bridge over a ravine.  It had been constructed by simply felling two tall trees on the edge of it in such a manner that they fell across.  They were bound together with the supple vines that grew there in profusion.  Nature had soon covered the whole over with climbing plants and luxuriant verdure; and the bridge had become a broad and solid structure over which the whole party marched with perfect ease.  Several such bridges were crossed, and also a few of the rope kind, during the journey.

After many weeks’ constant travelling, the Indians came to a beautiful valley one evening just about sunset, and began to make the usual preparations for encamping.  The spot they selected was a singular one.  It was at the foot of a rocky gorge, up which might be seen trees and bushes mingled with jagged rocks and dark caverns, with a lofty sierra or mountain range in the background.  In front was the beautiful valley which they had just crossed.  On a huge rock there grew a tree of considerable size, the roots of which projected beyond the rock several yards, and then, bending downwards, struck into the ground.  Creeping plants had twined thickly among the roots, and thus formed a sort of lattice-work which enclosed a large space of ground.  In this natural arbour the chiefs of the Indians took up their quarters and kindled their fire in the centre of it, while the main body of the party pitched their camp outside.  The three prisoners were allotted a corner in the arbour; and, after having supped, they spread their ponchos on a pile of ferns, and found themselves very snug indeed.

“Martin,” said Barney, gravely, as he smoked his pipe and patted the head of his dog, “d’ye know I’m beginning to feel tired o’ the company o’ thim naked rascals, and I’ve been revolvin’ in my mind what we should do to escape.  Moreover, I’ve corned to a conclusion.”

“And what’s that?” inquired Martin.

“That it’s unposs’ble to escape at all, and I don’t know what to do.”

“That’s not a satisfactory conclusion, Barney.  I, too, have been cogitating a good deal about these Indians, and it is my opinion that they have been on a war expedition, for I’ve noticed that several of them have been wounded; and, besides, I cannot fancy what else could take them so far from home.”