MOONLIGHT ON THE RIVER IN PERU

"There's one over there!" whispered John, our guide, as he held the spotlight on reflective eyes.  Our dugout canoe eased closer to shore as the caiman lay transfixed in the blinding light.

It was our last night in the jungle and we were boating up the Tambopata River in hopes of spotting this smaller member of the crocodile family.  We would not be disappointed.

As we neared the bank of the river, the two caiman slithered into the water.  John shone the light around and we saw only eyes above the surface of the water.  Time and again this happened.

Then as we approached a sloping bank with two larger specimans staring into our light, they froze.  Our boat glided into shore with John in the prow.  About that time one of the reptiles lunged forward toward us, trying to get to the water.  We were in the way.  It looked as if he would come right into the boat as John jumped back.  At the last second, the animal splashed into the water under us and we all heaved a sigh of relief.

On the other side further along, two more were spotted on the bank.  As we got nearer, one went behind some bushes.  Ron went ashore to chase it around so we could see.  In the meantime John had gotten out also.  Ron shouted, "There he goes!"  We all had a laugh at John's expense as he scurried into the boat stepping high, since he didn't know which side of the bush the caiman was coming around.

After a half-hour of this excitment, we started down river and back to camp.  The boatman killed the motor and we drifted in silence.  There was a full moon.  The stars sparkled above us brighter than they ever are at home in the city.  The trees along the shore were silhouetted against the evening sky as the silvery moon hovered over the horizon.  The quietmess was awesome.  for five minutes or more we glided softly, no one speaking, soaking in this wonderful atmosphere.  Tomorrow we would leave the jungle behind and head for the high Andean mountains, but for tonight we relished the tranquility offered here in this remote setting.  It will be remembered as the most inspiring part of the four days spent in the jungle of Peru.

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