# III: A Jaguar Hunt on the Taquary explained — Through the Brazilian Wilderness

> Chapter companion for Through the Brazilian Wilderness by Theodore Roosevelt.

## What happens

The chapter describes the expedition's preparations at Corumbá, including Colonel Rondon's inspection of the outfit and Miller's observations on piranhas. The party then travels to the Rio Taquary for a jaguar hunt. Theodore Roosevelt successfully shoots a jaguar from a tree, and the next day Kermit Roosevelt leads the hunt, culminating in a dramatic river crossing and chase.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nature and Wildlife

Detailed descriptions of piranhas, jaguars, capybaras, and various birds, as well as the marsh ecosystem.

### Human Endurance and Resilience

The party's early morning start, long rides through swamps, and determination to cross a piranha-infested bayou.

### Collaboration and Comradeship

Cooperation between Colonel Rondon, the Roosevelts, Fiala, Miller, and local hunters in planning and executing the hunt.

## Character check-ins

### Colonel Candido Mariano da Silva Rondon

Inspects the outfit and participates in the jaguar hunt.

### Theodore Roosevelt

Narrates the chapter, shoots the first jaguar, and describes the hunt.

### Kermit Roosevelt

Participates in the jaguar hunt and leads the second day's chase.

### Anthony Fiala

Assembled the outfit and supplies, praised by Colonel Rondon.

### Leo E. Miller

Provides detailed observations on piranha behavior.

### Jacob Sigg

Helped Fiala prepare supplies in Corumbá.

## Key lines

> The morning after our arrival at Corumbá I asked Colonel Rondon to inspect our outfit; for his experience of what is necessary in tropical travelling has been gained through a quarter of a century of arduous exploration in the wilderness.

The day after reaching Corumbá, I requested Colonel Rondon to review our equipment, as his extensive experience in tropical exploration made him an expert judge.

_Highlights Rondon's expertise and the importance of proper preparation._

> Miller had made a special study of the piranhas, which swarmed at one of the camps he and Cherrie had made in the Chaco.

Miller had closely observed piranhas at a camp in the Chaco, where they were extremely numerous.

_Introduces Miller's scientific observations on piranha behavior._

> At the shot the jaguar fell like a sack of sand through the branches, and although it staggered to its feet it went but a score of yards before it sank down, and when I came up it was dead under the palms, with three or four of the bolder dogs riving at it.

The jaguar dropped heavily from the tree after being shot, managed to stumble a short distance, then collapsed and died beneath the palms, with several dogs attacking it.

_Describes the climax of the first jaguar hunt._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/through_the_brazilian_wilderness_se/chapters/iii-a-jaguar-hunt-on-the-taquary
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/through_the_brazilian_wilderness_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/through_the_brazilian_wilderness_se/chapters