Chapter
15
THE CONTINUED DESCENTON THE EVENING OF THE 5th of July, the atmosphere had been oppressive since the morning and threatened approaching storms. Large bats of ruddy color skimmed with their huge wings the current of the sss. Among them could be distinguished the "perros voladors," somber brown above and light-colored beneath, for which Minha, and particularly the young mulatto, felt an instinctive aversion.
These were, in fact, the horrible vampires which suck the blood of the cattle, and even attack man if he is imprudent enough to sleep out in the fields.
"Oh, the dreadful creatures!" cried Lina, hiding her eyes; "they fill me with horror!"
"And they are really formidable," added Minha; "are they not, Manoel?"
"To be sure—very formidable," answered he. "These vampires hav
