Her mind was soon made up; and, bending forward, she thrust the spear lengthwise through what remained of her child's body! It was a fearful act, but the feeling of revenge was strong within her.

She next caught the blade of the spear--now red with blood--and placing the knives lengthwise--so that they might serve as barbs--tied them firmly upon it with the _pita_ cord.

Close up to these she pushed the mangled body, and then looped the lasso tightly to the shaft of the spear.

The other end she made fast to the trunk of a guava tree--for she well knew that her own strength would avail but little against such a monster as the caiman.
"When all was ready she poised the shaft, and flung spear, body, and all, into the water.

Then taking the rope in her hand, she crouched behind the bushes to await the result.
"She had not long to wait.