But the sea had taken his snares along with the rest.

He at first subsisted on herbs, fruits and roots; afterwards his stomach rejected these crudities, as it had repulsed the fish.

Armed with a stick, he had chased the agoutis; for want of agoutis, he had eaten rats.
By night, he silently climbed the trees to surprise the female of the toucan or blackbird, which he pitilessly stifled over their young brood.

Meanwhile, at the noise he made among the branches, this winged prey almost always escaped him.
He tried to construct a ladder; by the aid of his knife alone, he attempted to cut down two tall trees.

During this operation his knife broke--only a fragment remained.