the cause of the affray, and cried, 'Does the wretch mean to make his escape? For Godsake, prevent the possibility of that! Yes, yes,' returned Angerstoff; he never shall leave the vessel-He had as well take care, lest I do to him what I did to-' 'To Morvalden, I suppose you mean,' said I.—'Well, well, speak it out,' replied he ferociously; there is no one here to listen to your damnable falsehoods, and I'll not be fool enough to give you an opportunity of uttering them elsewhere. I'll strangle you the next time you tell these lies about-' 'Come,' interrupted Marietta, don't be uneasy-the boat will soon be far enough away-If he wants to give you the slip he must leap overboard.' I I was irritated and disappointed beyond measure at the failure of the plan of escape I had formed, but thought it most prudent to conceal my feelings. now perceived the rashness and bad consequences of my bold assertions respecting the murder of Morvalden; for Angerstoff evidently thought that his personal safety, and even his life, would be endangered, if I ever found an opportunity of accusing and giving evidence against him. All my motions were now watched with double vigilance. Marietta and her paramour kept upon deck by turns during the whole day, and the latter looked over the surrounding ocean, through a glass, at intervals, to discover if any boat or vessel was approaching us. He often muttered threats as he walked past me, and, more than once, seemed waiting for an opportunity to push me overboard. Marietta and he frequently whispered together, and I always imagined I heard my name mentioned in the course of these conversations. I now felt completely miserable, being satisfied that Angerstoff was bent upon my destruction. I wandered, in a state of fearful circumspection, from one part of the vessel to the other, not knowing how to secure myself from hi designs. Every time he approached me, my heart palpitated dreadfully; and when night came on, I was agonized with terror, and could not remain in one spot, but hurried backwards and forwards between the cabin and the deck, looking wildly from side to side, and momentarily expecting to feel a cold knife entering my vitals. My forehead began to burn, and my eyes dazzled; I became acutely sensitive, and the slightest murmur, or the faintest breath of wind, set my whole frame in a state of uncontrollable vibration. At first, I sometimes thought of throwing myself into the sea; but I soon acquired such an intense feeling of existence, that the mere idea of death was horrible to me. Shortly after midnight I lay down in my birth, almost exhausted by the harrowing emotions that had careered through my mind during the past day. I felt a strong desire to sleep, yet dared not indulge myself; soul and body seemed at war. Every noise excited my imagination, and sarcely a minute passed, in the course of which I did not start up, and look around. Angerstoff paced the deck overhead, and when the sound of his footsteps accidentally ceased at any time, I grew deadly sick at heart, expecting that he was silently coming to murder me. At length I thought I heard some one near my bed-I sprung from it, and, having seized a bar of iron that lay on the floor, rushed into the cabin.-I found Angerstoff there, who started back when he saw me, and said, 'What is the matter? Did you think that— I want you to watch the beacon, that I may have some rest.-Follow me upon deck, and I will give you directions about it.' I hesitated a moment, and then went up the gangway stairs be hind him. I We walked forward to the mast together, and he shewed how I was to lower the lantern when any (of the lamps happened to go out, and bidding me beware of sleep, returned to the cabin. Most of my fears forsook me the moment he disappeared. felt nearly as happy as if I had been set at liberty, and, for a time, forgot that my situation had any thing painful or alarming connected with it. Angerstoff resumed his station in about three hours, and I again took refuge in my birth, where I enjoyed a short but undisturbed slumber. Next day while I was walking the deck, and anxiously surveying the ex plice to prevent me from speaking, and went upon deck again. While in this state of bondage, I heard distinctly all that passed without. Some one asked Angerstoff how Morvalden did. Well, quite well,' replied the former; but he's below, and so sick that he can't see any person.'Strange enough,' said the first speaker, laughing. Is he ill and in good health at the same time? he had as well be overboard as in that condition.' Overboard!' repeated Angerstoff, what !-how do you mean ?—all false !—but listen to me. Are there any news stirring ashore ? Why,' said the stranger, the chief talk there just now is about a curious thing that happened this morning. A dead man was found upon the beach, and they suspect, from the wounds on his body, that he hasn't got fair play. They are making a great noise about it, and government means to send out a boat, with an officer on board, who is to visit all the shipping round this, that he may ascertain if any of them has lost a man lately. "Tis a dark business ; but they'll get to the bottom of it, Í warrant ye.-Why you look as pale as if you knew more about this matter than you choose to tell.'-' No, no, no,' returned Angerstoff; 'I never hear of a murder, but I think of a friend of mine who-but I won't detain you, for the sea is getting up— We'll have a blowy night, I'm afraid.' panse of ocean around, Angerstoff requested me to come down to the cabin. I obeyed his summons, and found him there. He gave me a book, saying it was very entertaining and would serve to amuse me during my idle hours; and then went above, shutting the doors carefully behind him. I was struck with his behaviour, but felt no alarm, for Marietta sat at work near me, apparently unconscious of what had passed. I began to peruse the volume I held in my hand, and found it so interesting that I paid little attention to any thing else, till the dashing of oars struck my ear. I sprung from my chair, with the intention of hastening upon deck, but Marietta stopped me, saying, It is of no use. The gangway doors are fastened.' Not withstanding this information, I made an attempt to open them, but could not succeed. I was now convinced, by the percussion against the vessel, that a boat lay alongside, and I heard a strange voice addressing Angerstoff. Fired with the idea of deliverance, I leaped upon a table which stood in the middle of the cabin, and tried to push off the sky-light, but was suddenly stunned by a violent blow on the back of my head. I staggered back and looked round. Marietta stood close behind me, brandishing an axe, as if in the act of repeating the stroke. Her face was flushed with rage, and, having seized my arm, she cried, 'Come down instantly, accursed villain! I know you want to betray us, but may we all go to the bottom if you find a chance. of doing so.' I struggled to free my self from her grasp, but, being in a state of dizziness and confusion, I was unable to effect this, and she soon pulled me to the ground. At that moment, Angerstoff hurriedly entered the cabin, exclaiming, 'What noise is this? Oh, just as I expected! Has that deyil-that spy-been trying to get above Marietta then approached him, and, boards? Why haven't I the heart to taking hold of his arm, said, 'Do you despatch him at once? But there's no believe what that man has told you?' time now. The people are waiting-Yes, by the eternal hell!' cried he Marietta, come and lend a hand.' vehemently; I suspect I will find the They now forced me down upon the truth of it soon enough. My God!' floor, and bound me to an iron ring exclaimed she, what is to become of that was fixed in it. This being done, us-How dreadful! We are chainAngerstoff directed his female accom- ed here, and cannot escape.'-Espe So you don't want any fish to-day?" cried the stranger. Then I'll be off Good morning, good morning. I suppose you'll have the government boat alongside by and bye.' I now heard the sound of oars, and supposed,. from the conversation having ceased, that the fishermen had departed. Angerstoff came down to the cabin soon after, and released me without speaking a word. མ སྐ what?' interrupted Angerstoff; girl, was still several miles distant. I waited you have lost your senses. Why in fearful expectation, thinking that should we fear the officers of justice? Keep a guard over your tongue.''Oh,' returned Marietta, 'I talk without thinking, or understanding my own words; but come upon deck, and let me speak with you there." They now went up the gangway stairs to gether, and continued in deep conversation for some time. Angerstoff gradually became more agitated as the day advanced. He watched upon deck almost without in termission, and seemed irresolute what to do, sometimes sitting down composedly, and at other times hurrying backwards and forwards. with clenched hands and bloodless cheeks. The wind blew pretty fresh from the shore, and there was a heavy swell; and I supposed, from the anxious looks with which he contemplated the sky, that he hoped the threatening aspect of the weather would prevent the government boat from putting out to sea. He kept his glass constantly in his hand, and surveyed the ocean through it in all directions. At length he suddenly dashed the instrument away, and exclaimed, 'God help us! they are coming now!' Marietta, on hearing this, ran wildly towards him, and put her hands in his, but he pushed her to one side, and began to pace the deck, apparently in deep thought. After a little time, he started, and cried, I have it now!— It's the only plan-I'll manage the business-yes, yes-I'll cut the cables, and off we'll go-that's settled !'-He then seized an axe, and first divided the hawser at the bows, and afterwards the one attached to the stern. The vessel immediately began to drift away, and having no sails or helm to steady her, rolled with such violence, that I was dashed from side to side several times. She often swung over so much, that I thought she would not regain the upright position, and Angerstoff all the while unconsciously strengthened this belief, by exclaiming, 'She will capsize! shift the ballast, or we must go to the bottom! In the midst of this, I kept my station upon deck, intently watching the boat, which every new wave against which we were impelled would burst upon our vessel, and overwhelm us, while our pursuers were too far off to afford any assistance. The idea of perishing when on the point of being saved, was inexpressibly agonizing. As the day advanced, the hopes I had entertained of the boat making up with us gradually diminished. The wind blew violently, and we drifted along at a rapid rate, and the weather grew so hazy that our pursuers soon became quite undistinguishable. Marietta and Angerstoff appeared to be stupified with terror.. They stood motionless, holding firmly by the bulwarks of the vessel; and though the waves frequently broke over the deck, and rushed down the gangway, they did not offer to shut the companion door, which would have remained open, had not I closed it. The tempest, gloom, and danger that thickened around us, neither elicited from them any expressions of mutual regard, nor seemed to produce the slightest sympathetic emotion in their bosoms. They gazed sternly at each other and at me, and every time the vessel rolled, clung with convulsive eagerness to whatever lay within their reach. . About sunset our attention was attracted by a dreadful roaring, which evidently did not proceed from the waves around us; but the atmosphere being very hazy, we were unable to ascertain the cause or it, for a long time. At length we distinguished a range of high cliffs against which the sea beat with terrible fury. Whenever the surge broke upon them, large jets of foam started up to a great height, and flashed angrily over their black and rugged surfaces, while the wind moaned and whistled with fearful caprice among the projecting points of rock. A dense mist covered the upper part of the eliffs, and prevented us from seeing if there were any houses upon their summits, though this point appeared of little importance, for we drifted towards the shore so fast that immediate death seemed inevitable. We soon felt our vessel bound twice against the sand, and, in a little time after, a heavy sea carried her up the beach, where she remained imbedded and hard a-ground. During the ebb of the waves there was not more than two feet of water round her bows. I immediately perceived this, and watching a favourable opportunity, swung myself down to the beach, by means of part of the cable that projected through the hawse-hole. I began to run towards the cliffs, the moment my feet touched the ground, and Angerstoff attempted to follow me, that he might prevent my escape; but, while in the act of descending from the vessel, the sea flowed in with such violence, that he was obliged to spring on board again to save himself from being overwhelmed by its waters. I hurried on and began to climb up the rocks, which were very steep and slippery; but I soon grew breathless from fatigue, and found it necessary to stop. It was now almost dark, and when I looked around, I neither saw any thing distinctly, nor could form the least idea how far I had still to ascend before I reached the top of the cliffs. I knew not which way to turn my steps, and remained irresolute, till the barking of a dog faintly struck my ear. I joyfully followed the sound, and, after an hour of perilous exertion, discovered a light at some distance, which I soon found to proceed from the window of a small hut. After I had knocked repeatedly, the door was opened by an old man, with a lamp in his hand. He started back on seeing me, for my dress was wet and disordered, my face and hands had been wounded while scrambling among the rocks, and fatigue and terror had given me a wan and agitated look. I entered the house, the inmates of which were a woman and a boy, and having seated myself near the fire, related to my host all that had occurred on board the floating beacon, and then requested him to accompany me down to the beach, that we might search for Angerstoff and Marietta. "No, no," cried he, "that is impossible. Hear how the storm rages! Worlds would not induce me to have any communication with murderers. It would be impious to attempt it on such a night as this. The Almighty is surely punishing them now! Come here, and look out." I followed him to the door, but the moment he opened it, the wind extinguished the lamp. Total darkness prevailed without, and a chaos of rushing, bursting, and moaning sounds swelled upon the ear with irregular loudness. The blast swept round the hut in violent eddyings, and we felt the chilly spray of the sea driving upon our faces at intervals. I shuddered, and the old man closed the door, and then resumed his seat near the fire. My entertainer made a bed for me upon the floor, but the noise of the tempest, and the anxiety I felt about the fate of Angerstoff and Marietta, kept me awake the greater part of the night. Soon after dawn my host accompanied me down to the beach. We found the wreck of the floating beacon, but were unable to discover any traces of the guilty pair whom I had left on board of it. OUR Voyages and Travels. HUMBOLDT'S NARRATIVE. Concluded. Stories of Crocodiles. UR latter extracts from this publication have been as desultory as the curious nature of the author's inquiries seemed to require, without servilely following him through all his topographical details, and philosophical generalizations. In the same spirit, we shall now conclude our notice of these volumes with a brief sequel relating to the crocodiles of the Oroonoko. "When the waters (says Mr. H.) are high, the river inundates the keys; and it sometimes happens, that even in the town imprudent men become the prey of crocodiles. I shall transcribe from my journal a fact. that took place during Mr. Bonpland's illness. A Guaykeri Indian, from the island de la Marguretta, went to anchor his canoe in a cove, where there were not three feet of water. A very fierce crocodile, that habitually haunted that spot, seized him by the leg, and withdrew from the shore, remaining on the surface of the water. The cries of the Indian drew together a crowd of spectators. This unfortunate man was first seen seeking for a knife in the pocket of his pantaloons. Not being able to find it, he seized the head of the crocodile, and thrust his fingers into its eyes. No man in the hot regions of America is ignorant, that this carnivorous reptile, covered with a buckler of hard and dry scales, is extremely sensible in the only parts of his body which are soft and unprotected, such as the eyes, the hollow underneath the shoulders, the nostrils, and beneath the lower jaw, where there are two glands of musk. The Guaykeri Indian had recourse to the same means which saved the negro of Mungo Park, and the girl of Uritucu, whom I have mentioned above; but he was less fortunate than they had been, for the crocodile did not open its jaws, and lose hold of its prey. The animal, yielding to the pain, plunged to the bottom of the river; and, after having drowned the Indian, came up to the surface of 2Q ATHENEUM VOL. 10. the water, dragging the dead body to an island opposite the port. I arrived at the moment when a great number of the inhabitants of Angostura had witnessed this melancholy spectacle. "As the crocodile, on account of the structure of its larynx, of the hyoid bone, and of the folds of its tongue, can seize, though not swallow, its prey under water; a man seldom disappears without the animal being perceived some hours after near the spot devouring its prey on a neighbouring beach. The number of individuals who perish annually, the victims of their own imprudence and of the ferocity of these reptiles, is much greater than it is believed to be in Europe. It is particularly so in villages, where the neighbouring grounds are often inundated. The same crocodiles remain long in the same places. They become from year to year more daring, especially, as the Indians assert, if they have once tasted of human flesh. These animals are so wary, that they are killed with difficulty. A ball does not pierce their skin, and the shot is only mortal when directed at the throat, or beneath the shoulder. The Indians, who know little of the use of fire-arms, attack the crocodile with lances, after it is caught with large pointed iron hooks, baited with pieces of meat, and fastened by a chain to the trunk of a tree. They do not approach the animal till it has struggled a long time to disengage itself from the iron fixed in the upper jaw. There is little probability that a country in which a labyrinth of rivers without number brings every day new bands of crocodiles from the eastern bank of the Andes, by the Meta and the Apure, towards the coast of Spanish Guyana, should ever be delivered from these reptiles. All that will be gained by civilization will be to render them more timid, and more easily put to flight. "Affecting instances are related of African slaves, who have exposed their lives to save those of their masters, who had fallen into the jaws of the cro |