Having fastened one end of my rope tightly round one of the lower branches, I made the other into a slip-knot or noose; and then I waited patiently for my expected prey. At last the whole herd of horses left their pasture in a body, and came neighing and gambling towards the water, with their tails sailing in the wind, and their long manes waving about with every graceful turn of their bodies. I assure you it was rather an appalling sight to see myself close over the heads of so many powerful animals, that made the ground echo with their spirited movements. I sat still, however, enjoying myself with a calabash shell full of milk, which I had drawn from a _cow-tree_ that grew on the rock near me. “A _cow-tree_, Mr. Starboard!” methinks I hear my young readers exclaim; “A cow-tree! Surely you mean a _cow grazing_, Mr. Starboard. We know that travellers are privileged to tell pretty big stories, Mr. Starboard; but there is such a thing, Mr. Starboard; as overstepping too far the bounds of truth, Mr. Starboard.” [Illustration: Starboard in tree] Upon my veracity, my dear young readers, I am in earnest. It was a _cow-tree_, from which I drew the milk: and the great traveller, Humboldt, will prove what I have said. The cow-tree is found on the most barren rocks, where rains rarely visit it, and it has large woody roots. When its trunk is pierced, a most delicious, white, thick juice exudes, (or flows out,) which is quite as pleasant and nourishing as the milk of our cows. The Indians always make use of it, and it is found in the greatest abundance about sunrise. Well: I had just finished my bowl of vegetable milk, when a fine fellow of a horse came under my cinchona-tree, and stooped to drink; so I crept to the end of the branch; and as he raised his head, I slipped the noose over his neck, and drew it tight; the start he gave when he found himself confined, frightened his companions, and away they all scampered, leaving me and my prisoner alone. Instead of striving to break the rope and escape, which he might have done with ease, his courage seemed weakened by this new kind of restraint. I had some struggles, it is true; but I quickly conquered him, and we were soon friends. I have met, in the course of my life with a variety of other adventures, which I will narrate to my young readers, if they will give their attention. I am an old man now and have plenty of leisure; but the greater portion of my life has been passed in unceasing activity and has been full of incident:— “Up to the north—the polar north, With the whalers did I go, ’Mong the mountains of eternal ice To the land of the thawless snow. “We were hemmed in by icy rocks, The strength of man was vain; But at once the arm of God was shown The rocks were rent in twain. “And then we sailed to the tropic seas, That are like crystal clear, Thou wilt marvel much, thou little child, These glorious things to hear.”