ourselves under the wide-spreading shade of one of the lofty trees, had not only an extensive view of the whole extent of the peninsular promontory, but, our eye stretching its view to the extremity of the lake, saw the boundless ocean between that noble headland and the corresponding high cliffs of the opposite island. This situation was most inviting for a' residence; the position was excellent in every respect, the ground open, the soil good, the exposure favourable to tropical trees and vegetables, there being no long protracted shade as at the cotton-tree plantation; and, while we admired the view, we compared the two situations, in all their relations, for a dwelling.

But at the termination of this beautiful spot westward, the land becomes steep and rocky, thickly covered with palms, and a variety of other trees. While we stood contemplating the rich scenery around us, Fidele, in his usual way, hunting about, had got unto the skirting of the forest: he began to bark, which induced us to turn our steps towards the place, expecting to find him at his old game with an iguana; but before we had advanced many yards, we heard him yelp, and saw him presently brush out of the wood, followed by what we considered a small pig. I quickened my pace, and when he perceived help at hand, he turned round on his pursuer, which he kept at bay. By this time my dear wife was at my side, with her pike in her hand; and almost at the same moment, a drove of perhaps twenty of these piglooking animals rushed out of the brake to the assistance of their comrade. There was no time for

parley with so large a body. I had at first spared the single one, who was still skirmishing with Fidele; but now, without more ceremony, I discharged the musket, loaded with ball, direct amongst them, and one of them fell. During the short minute in which I was observing this horde of little barbarians, the advanced combatant had wounded Fidele with its tusk, who was then close to his mistress; she, at the same moment I fired, had struck her pike with great energy into the assailant's side; but he still made fight. Fidele, however, was not so badly hurt but that he now mustered strength enough to pin the little beast by the nose. On discharging my musket, I saw things in the situation described, and in an instant I drew my bill-hook from my belt, and cut the struggling animal almost in twain. The herd had run, on receiving the fire; but they were rallying again, and seemed disposed to advance towards us. 66 My dear Eliza," cried I, " you must retire to our boat; you may be hurt. I will re-load the musket, and soon disperse these animals.""Give me one of your pistols, Edward," said she, "and I will not fear: although a woman, I feel I have some courage when necessary. My poor Fidele!" continued she, looking down at her faithful little dog bleeding. I loaded the musket, and handed her one of the pistols; feeling assured that she would use it properly if required. She well knew how to draw the trigger, having frequently done so to ignite our fire; and I felt that the present occasion did inspire her with courage sufficient to make an efficient use of the pistol. The herd the while

advancing on us, gathered round the one I had shot; but not seeming disposed to approach further, I, not wishing to kill any of them unnecessarily, took up the slain animal that lay close to me, and began to retreat to the boat. At this sight the whole troop set up a snort, and made towards us. I was struck with terror for the safety of my wife; whom I desired instantly to get behind me. I knelt to give my fire more effect; and when the foremost of them were within ten or twelve yards, I drew the trigger, and killed and wounded no less than three. Some now fled; others stood still; but three, more bold than their fellows, closed on us: my dear Eliza moved from behind me, and gave me her pike, with which I transfixed the one nearest to me; and to my great surprise she fired the pistol, and shot another that had got in our rear. Poor Fidele, who had seemed overpowered with terror, skulked close by the side of his mistress, until that moment, when he made an attack upon the third, which instantly gave him an ugly scratch with its tusk, and certainly would have killed him, had I not shot the enemy with my remaining pistol. This had been a severe and unexpected conflict; but now the field of battle was entirely deserted by the survivors amongst the herd, and then our first care was to examine our little friend's wounds, which were about the throat and shoulder, a sort of ripping of the skin, one of which was nearly two inches long. I reloaded my piece, by way of caution; but, not seeing any thing like a pursuit, I again took the slain enemy of Fidele by the leg, to the boat; leaving all the rest of the killed, to the number of

seven, behind. We now recognised the animal for the peccary, although neither of us had ever seen one before, but as represented in books of Natural History. It was a dark grey, rough, ugly hog-like looking little beast; about the size of a year-old pig. One of them appeared to be as much as we three victors could eat in as many days; therefore, acceptable as fresh meat might be to us, we did not choose to encumber ourselves with more; and, indeed, my dear wife and myself sincerely regretted the accident and encounter that had put us in possession of the peccary.

We got down to the boat without further molestation from the herd, and then proceeded to wash our poor faithful dog's wounds. I got a pin from his pitying mistress, and a little thread; I bodkined the sides of the long wound with the pin, securing it by twisting the thread round it, as farriers do, to staunch the vein after bleeding a horse. I then laid the patient little creature safe down by Eliza's side, in the stern of the punt; and pushing off from the beach, rowed over to the other side of the bay, and there landed with our baskets, to take some refreshment, and give a drink of cool water to poor Fidele. Our stay here was short; we quickly reembarked, and I pushed along the beach homewards, with all possible expedition. My kindhearted wife had emptied the old basket, which was the largest, and with the help of my jacket, which I had pulled off, made up a comfortable bed for our wounded companion, and placed him in it; where he lay during our voyage, with great composure, his dear mistress talking to him, and thus

consoling him all the way. The sun was just setting when the punt reached its destination. My first care was to take up the basket with her poor little friend, accompanying her to the plank-house, where I left them. I then returned to the beach, and with a knife cut out certain parts of the peccary which would taint the meat, and then hung the carcass by a large wooden peg, which I drove into a crevice of the western face of the promontory, until a moment for more attention to it. I left the crayfish in the punt, giving them a few buckets of sea-water to reconcile them to their situation; then taking up the remainder of our chattels, joined my dear wife at our peaceful wooden palace.

Fidele had fallen asleep, by which the mind of his kind mistress was set somewhat at ease, but much more so when I assurred her the wounds were not deeper than through the skin, they having been made by the tusks and not with the teeth, and therefore only a superficial tearing or ripping of the skin, the flesh and other parts below being untouched. By this she was quite satisfied; for her feelings could always be easily brought to yield to her reasoning faculties. "Poor Fidele!" said she, "thou wilt soon be well again; but I am sorry we were obliged to destroy so many of thy assailants: I fear thou wert the aggressor, not they." Then turning to me," Edward," said she, "they made a noble defence: neither Greeks nor Trojans ever fought more valiantly for their dead than those poor animals; and I cannot but regret so many perished in the conflict."-"But, dear Eliza," I replied, "if we had not succeeded in destroying so many of