Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1769 edition. Excerpt: ... who accompanied him, did the same; but, as they had not precaution enough to chuse the highest trees, the water soon reached them. The Father, more fortunate or provident, was safe enough upon his, with his catechist, when the cries of his children, who were endeavouring to fasten upon the highest branches, and were exhausted with fatigue, pierced him to the heart. The waters still continued to swell; and, as the travellers had no provisions about them, they were in the most evident danger, either of perishing with hunger, or dropping, through faintness, into the water, and being drowned. While the missionary was making these melancholy reflections, there came on a shower attended with thunder and lightning, and a very impetuous wind, which contributed greatly to increase the horrors of their dreadful situation. Besides, the surface of the water was covered with tigers, lions, and several other ravenous beasts; and even serpents and vipers, which the inundation had likewise surprized. At length, one of these reptiles, of an enormous size, fastened upon one of the branches of the tree, where Father de Ortega was perched; and the missionary every minute expected to be devoured by the monster; when, the branch it was on happily breaking, it fell back into the water, and turned another way. The travellers had now been two days in this dreadful situation, the storm continuing all the time, time, and the waters rather rising than falling; when, about midnight, the missionary perceived, by means of the flashes that filled the heavens, one of his Indians swimming towards him by the fame light; and crying out, as soon as he was near enough to be heard, that three Catechumens and three christians were on the point of expiring; and most earnestly...
