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Crocodiles, jaguars, and fear |
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At midday we stopped at a deserted spot called Algodonal. I left my companions while they beached the boat and prepared the meal. I walked along the beach to observe a group of crocodiles asleep in the sun…. However, my stroll almost cost me my life. I had been constantly looking towards the river, and then, on seeing a flash of mica in the sAnd, I also spotted fresh jaguar tracks…. The animal had gone off into the jungle, and as I looked in that direction, I saw it lying down under the thick foliage of a ceiba, eighty steps away from me. Never has a tiger seemed so enormous. There are moments in life when it is useless to call on reason. I was very scared. However, I was sufficiently in control of myself to remember what the Indians had advised us to do in such circumstances. I carried on walking, without breaking into a run or moving my arms…. The further away I got the more I quickened my pace. I was so tempted to turn round and see if the cat was chasing me! Luckily I resisted this impulse, and the tiger remained lying down. … I reached the launch panting and told my adventure story to the Indians, who did not give it much importance. |
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from Alexander von Humboldt, Jaguars & Electric Eels, translated by Jason Wilson. |
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Humboldt's travel through the Americas began in 1799 and ended in 1804. The "Personal Narrative" comprises the final three volumes of his "Voyage aux régions équinoxiales du Nouveau Continent", which comprises thirty-five volumes, and was written betweeen 1805 and 1834. Thus Humboldt is recollecting events and emotions that span not only the years of his travel, but those well before it; and he wrote his narration after the travel (sometimes many years after its end). The title "Jaguars & Electric Eels" was supplied for this translation and edition, and is not by Humboldt. |