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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77361 ***
+
+
+
+
+   [Illustration: New cuts were made in the trees for the next day's
+                                supply.
+
+                              [_Page 136_
+                                   ]
+
+
+
+
+                                ADRIFT
+                             ON THE AMAZON
+
+                                  BY
+                             LEO E. MILLER
+
+
+                              ILLUSTRATED
+
+
+                               NEW YORK
+                        CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS
+                                 1923
+
+
+
+
+                          COPYRIGHT, 1923, BY
+                        CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS
+
+                Printed in the United States of America
+
+                            [Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+                                  TO
+
+                              ALL READERS
+                      WHO HAVE A WHOLESOME LIKING
+                              FOR STORIES
+                  OF ADVENTURE AND THE GREAT OUTDOORS
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE
+
+
+The Amazon! Who has not been thrilled at the mere mention of the words?
+For the name of the world’s mightiest river suggests not only vast
+expanses of muddy water, but also the jungle-clad shores and wild
+hinterland where nature seems to have run riot in the development of
+strange and interesting vegetation and animal life, and of tribes of
+savages but little known and less understood. There is romance and
+adventure to be found in each mile of its yellow flood or gloomy
+thickets. But to only a few is given the privilege of lifting the veil
+of mystery that hangs over the Amazon country and of exploring its
+hidden retreats.
+
+“Adrift on the Amazon” is the story of a youth’s struggles against the
+seemingly insurmountable difficulties that confronted the intrepid
+wanderer into the Amazon wilderness.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER                                                             PAGE
+
+I. FIGHTING JONES                                                      1
+
+II. DAVID LEAVES HOME                                                 13
+
+III. THE AMAZON                                                       21
+
+IV. ROGER’S WORK                                                      36
+
+V. A CHANGE OF FORTUNE                                                51
+
+VI. HARPOONING A RIVER MONSTER                                        64
+
+VII. WHEN THE RIVER RAN RIOT                                          78
+
+VIII. THE ROAD TO LAS PALMAS                                          91
+
+IX. THE BEAST                                                        104
+
+X. THE ASCENT OF THE UPPER AMAZON                                    115
+
+XI. IN THE RUBBER FOREST                                             128
+
+XII. A BATTLE WITH A CROCODILE                                       140
+
+XIII. ADRIFT IN THE FOREST                                           154
+
+XIV. THE RESCUE FROM THE ANT ARMY                                    168
+
+XV. THE CHARGE OF THE INDIANS                                        178
+
+XVI. THE BATTLE IN THE JUNGLE                                        191
+
+XVII. THE TERROR OF THE ISLAND                                       203
+
+XVIII. WHEN THE WATER RAN HIGH                                       216
+
+XIX. THE BROWN MEN OF THE JUNGLE                                     229
+
+XX. THE DRIFTING ENDS                                                242
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+New cuts were made in the trees for the next day’s supply _Frontispiece_
+
+                                                             FACING PAGE
+
+A huge silvery form ... leaped out of the water, rolled
+and wallowed convulsively, and sank from sight                        74
+
+He delivered thrust after thrust with his right at the vulnerable
+neck and throat                                                      150
+
+Again facing toward the ... white men ... he grasped
+the arrow in both hands, snapped the shaft in two ...
+and threw the pieces into the river                                  232
+
+
+
+
+ADRIFT
+ON THE AMAZON
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+FIGHTING JONES
+
+
+To David’s friends he was commonly known as “Fighting Jones”; but this
+name carried nothing of discredit with it; for, though the title had
+been earned by the not infrequent use of two good fists, the encounters
+had always been occasioned by a righteous cause--in protection of
+someone who was unable to defend his or her own interest.
+
+The trouble was that the one higher up, the final authority as it were,
+had always decided against him. Sometimes words of sympathy, even
+approbation, had softened the rebuke that invariably followed each
+altercation; but in the final summing up he had never escaped the
+penalty.
+
+David was downcast. It seemed as if the bottom had dropped out of
+everything. And as he mentally reviewed the events of the past ten
+minutes and speculated upon their consequences he knew that at last he
+had reached the very end of his tether. He had arrived at the parting of
+the ways; a break was plainly in sight; and at last he meant to assert
+himself.
+
+His determined nature began to show itself so long ago as David could
+remember and probably before that. But he could recall the first
+difficulty in the kindergarten when one of the older and larger boys
+took advantage of his small size to deprive him of some cherished
+plaything. He never forgot that fight, nor the punishment he received at
+the hand of a stern father.
+
+Later, years later, in high school, there had been the trouble when the
+principal had rebuked Miss Palmer, the instructor in Latin, before the
+whole class. The principal was a big, gruff man whose main attributes
+were to look stern at all times in an effort to instill discipline and
+to rejoice secretly when others showed signs of fear. He ruled by
+intimidation. Miss Palmer was meek and frail and when the lordly Mr.
+Davison assailed her she began to cry. That was too much for David. He
+calmly arose and informed the surprised Mr. Davison that he would never
+see any woman mistreated like that and if he did not stop at once and
+apologize he would knock his block off. Several of his classmates now
+came to his assistance. That precipitated a row. Result--David as
+ringleader of the mutiny was dismissed. Discipline had to be maintained.
+
+He worried through school and college somehow or other. Then was forced
+into business by his father and tried hard to make good and was
+progressing in a satisfactory, so he thought, if not brilliant manner
+until----
+
+Wellman, the chief engineer, was passing through the draughting room.
+David, busy at his board, was not even aware of his presence until he
+heard a muffled cough in back of him.
+
+“Good morning, Mr. Wellman,” he said pleasantly, turning to greet his
+chief.
+
+“How are the plans coming along?” the latter said abruptly. “I want to
+have the blue-prints struck off this afternoon.”
+
+“They will be ready in an hour,” David returned. “I am just finishing
+the terrace.”
+
+“Let me see!” Wellman adjusted his tortoise shell spectacles. “What
+scale?”
+
+“Quarter inch.”
+
+“What? Quarter inch?” One would have thought Wellman had been shot, the
+way he roared. “Didn’t I tell you to make it half inch?”
+
+“I am sorry. I must have misunderstood. I will do them over.”
+
+“Impossible. The superintendent must have the blue-prints tonight.”
+
+“That is impossible too. I cannot do two days’ work in a few hours and
+do it right.”
+
+“You’ll never know anything.” Wellman bellowed, while all the others in
+the office turned to see and hear what was going on.
+
+“Now, look here,” David interrupted. “There is no excuse for your acting
+like that. You passed my table several times both yesterday and the day
+before and it seems to me as if you should have noticed the mistake
+then. Besides, I am sure you said quarter inch scale to begin with.”
+
+“That’s right! that’s right! Blame it on me. You think you can do as you
+please because your father is president of this concern.” The chief was
+talking louder than ever.
+
+“If it were not for your age I’d thrash you until you took that back.”
+
+“Never mind my gray hair. Never mind my glasses; I’ll take them off.
+Here I am. Go to it. You are a privileged person around here. Do
+anything you like.”
+
+Instead of replying, David threw down his drawing instruments and left
+the room. He headed straight for his father’s office. Arrived there he
+was told by a secretary to sit down in the ante-room; his father had
+given orders not to admit him until he should ring for him.
+
+So! He knew about it already! Wellman had forestalled him by using the
+telephone. It was just as well that he had. His father would have the
+chief’s version of the affair and be ready to hear the other side of it.
+
+A buzzer sounded and the secretary nodded to him to enter.
+
+For a moment the elder Jones did not notice him. Then he turned abruptly
+in his chair and faced his son.
+
+“What have you got to say?” he asked, not unkindly and rather sadly.
+
+“Wellman told you what happened, I suppose.”
+
+“Yes. He just called up. I want to hear your side of the matter.”
+
+David gave an accurate account of the occurrence from beginning to end,
+while his father listened resignedly.
+
+“Wellman is an old and valued employe, but I think this time he went
+too far. Disregarding the fact that you are my son, I am inclined to
+believe that you were not at fault--in fact, I am rather proud of the
+way you handled the situation. Still, that does not settle the issue.
+That office is too small for you and Wellman; so Wellman will have to
+go.”
+
+David could not believe his ears and for a moment he was speechless.
+
+“You don’t mean that you are going to fire him?” he asked finally.
+
+“Yes. He went too far. The two of you would always be at odds after this
+and it would demoralize the whole department. I am sorry, but Wellman
+will receive his notice today.”
+
+“I don’t want to see him lose his job. He is old and would have a hard
+time to find another. Why not keep him and let me out?”
+
+“Because I want you to learn this business thoroughly; you may be called
+upon to take my place some day. You are just starting life. Your welfare
+is my first consideration.”
+
+David saw his chance at last.
+
+“If that is true,” he quickly interposed, “don’t start me on the wrong
+track. I do not want to stay in this business. I hate it. I tried to
+make good only to please you. If you are really thinking of my welfare,
+let me pick out my own work.”
+
+“What is wrong with this? It offers most unusual opportunities for great
+and lasting success.”
+
+“I know, but somehow or other I don’t seem to fit in. I dislike the city
+and all business. I want to go away where there is room to expand and
+to learn big things of another kind.”
+
+“Remember the possibilities I just mentioned. You might some day erect a
+building taller than any of today or build a cathedral that would be a
+monument to your genius.”
+
+“I would rather plow with a tractor and sow wheat; or herd cattle; or
+raise pigs than build anything no matter how great. I could put my whole
+heart and soul into that work and enjoy it. I want space to do my
+thinking and to develop in. I want green grass under my feet and a blue
+sky overhead. It is too crowded here. There are just as big things to be
+done in one place as in another.”
+
+“Good gracious! Who put all that into your head? Or did you read it in
+some book?”
+
+“It has just been growing on me and with me. I must get away from here.
+Let me work out my own future.”
+
+“Suppose I should refuse to listen any further.”
+
+“Then I am afraid I should go anyway, not right now, perhaps, but at
+some future time. The thought of all this is bigger than I am, and some
+day, soon, it would get the better of me and I should be compelled to
+go.”
+
+“Well, well!” His father was obviously worried. “So you have made up
+your mind. You refuse to go back to your work here?”
+
+“I should rather not. And, let Wellman stay.”
+
+“I’ll see. Now you go straight home and wait for me there. This thing
+will have to be settled one way or the other.”
+
+As David left the building his mind was filled with so many things that
+it was impossible to think clearly on any one of them. Two things kept
+recurring to him, however, because they had been so unexpected. The
+first was that his father had taken sides with him in the controversy,
+had admitted that he was right and that Wellman was in the wrong; he had
+even gone so far as to volunteer to discharge the old and valued
+employe. And the second was that for the first time his parent had
+indicated a willingness to seriously listen to the thing he felt best
+suited him and for which he was eager to sacrifice his enviable
+prospects as a man of the business world.
+
+He could hardly wait to tell his mother. She had always been a
+sympathetic listener and while she had never greatly encouraged him in
+his ambition she had never discouraged him.
+
+It was, therefore, a source of disappointment to him to find upon
+reaching home that his mother was not there. She had an appointment for
+luncheon, the cook informed him, and would go to a club meeting after
+that. It was impossible to draw any further information from the cook.
+David suspected that she knew more, but to his casual remark that she
+must have decided rather suddenly to go, there came no response.
+Evidently the cook had orders not to talk, so he did not question her
+further.
+
+The afternoon seemed like a year. He tried to read a magazine; then a
+book, but after turning a few pages he was forced to admit that he did
+not know what he was reading about, so he closed it with a bang and
+calling Spike, his terrier, went for a walk in the garden.
+
+David had just passed his twenty-first year. He was tall, of athletic
+build, with dark hair and eyes. There was the look of determination in
+his face that caused others instinctively to respect him. And his
+regular, pleasant features bespoke intelligence and breeding. If his
+natural bent could only be diverted into the proper channel, there was
+no question but that inborn ability and determination would make
+themselves felt, and in no uncertain manner.
+
+His father and mother returned just in time for dinner. That there was
+anything unusual about this did not occur to David for, often when his
+mother chanced to be in the vicinity of the office in the late afternoon
+she dropped in and the two motored home together.
+
+The conversation during the meal was a conventional one. It was not
+until later when the three were together in the library that the subject
+uppermost in David’s mind was broached.
+
+“I have been talking this thing over with your mother,” his father began
+abruptly. “There is but one thing in our minds. Regardless of how we
+feel about it personally, we must consent to the course that seems best
+for your own good.”
+
+David said nothing, but looked expectantly at his mother.
+
+“Are you sure, David?” she asked in a low voice. “Is your mind made up
+definitely? Is there not the least possibility that you may want to
+reconsider? Remember you are young. A mistake may mean the loss of
+years, perhaps, that will never return. Here you have rare opportunities
+to make both name and fortune. It would be well to think of these things
+and to try to picture what it will mean to you to give up a certainty
+for an uncertainty, for you know very little about the course you are
+favoring.”
+
+“I have thought of all that,” he said uncomfortably, “and I wish I could
+feel differently, for your sake. But I just can’t help it. I have always
+wanted to be out in the open where there is room to see and do things.”
+
+For a moment nothing was said.
+
+“Well,” his father finally ventured with a sigh, “then there is nothing
+for us to do but to give you the chance you think we owe you. Be sure
+that you are sure. Take a few weeks to think it over in. But you must
+promise one thing. If we let you go and you don’t make good or find out
+that you were mistaken after all, you will come back to the office and
+buckle down to hard work and never mention the subject again.”
+
+“I don’t need the time; my mind is made up now. And, I promise; but I
+will get along all right and in the end you will be glad you let me try
+it.”
+
+They insisted on the time for reflection, however, and during the two
+weeks that followed no mention was made of the matter. David did not go
+back to the office; he spent the days, and parts of the nights, too, in
+reading books on agriculture. These consisted mainly of government
+publications, long possessed and secretly cherished. He had read them so
+often that he was sure he knew all about farming and ranching; in fact,
+when he should use all this information together with some ideas of his
+own that he had worked out, he should greatly improve if not
+revolutionize the whole farming and ranching business.
+
+When the two weeks had expired there was another council in the library.
+
+“What is the verdict?” his father asked. “Will you go or will you stay?”
+
+“I want to go just as soon as possible.”
+
+“Have you considered the matter fully from all angles?”
+
+“Yes, I have.”
+
+“And you still feel that your calling is out in the country?”
+
+“Be absolutely sure of yourself before you answer,” his mother
+cautioned.
+
+“I am sure. I feel that when I get away from the noise and hurry and
+confinement of the city I can accomplish more in a week than I could
+here in a year.”
+
+“And, if after trying it you find that you have been mistaken?”
+
+“I shall come back at once and do exactly as I promised.”
+
+“That settles it. You shall have your chance and it will be a rare one
+even though you cannot realize at what cost to us.” He shot a quick
+glance at his wife; her eyes were glistening.
+
+“The fact that we have known of your ambition for a long time does not
+make it easier for us, for you will be far, far away. That alone will
+give you the opportunity to show your mettle. I think it best that it
+should be so, for you will be thrown entirely upon your own resources.
+Either you will become discouraged quickly and come back ready to take
+our advice, or you will do big things.”
+
+“Where?” David asked in an awed voice. “Where am I going?”
+
+“To South America, because there real opportunities exist for the right
+man.”
+
+“South America?”
+
+“Yes. Dan Rice, a former client of mine, has a ranch in the Argentine.
+He went down fifteen years ago. He was a born stock man and made a huge
+success of the venture. I enquired about him and learned that he is
+opening a new place in Brazil, somewhere in the Upper Amazon country,
+above the city called Manaos. I shall send you to him. If ever there was
+a person who could judge men and get the best out of them, Rice is the
+one. What do you say?”
+
+“I don’t know what to say except to thank both of you for letting me go.
+It is better than I even dreamed of. It will be wonderful!”
+
+“Good! I only hope you will not be too greatly disappointed when you get
+there.”
+
+They continued the discussion far into the night; but the thing the
+elder Jones did not tell his son was that he had already sent cablegrams
+to Rice in Manaos in an attempt to make arrangements for his coming. A
+very short time in the steaming and insect-infested tropics would be
+sufficient to cause a change of heart, he felt sure. The fact that he
+was in a wild country thousands of miles away from home and among
+strangers would hasten it and make it more emphatic. And, once his
+illusions were dispelled, David would be ready to settle down and do as
+he was told.
+
+As for David, he was too elated for words. “I am going at last,” he kept
+repeating to himself. “My luck has changed! My luck has changed!”
+
+But David was quite forgetful of the fact that there are two kinds of
+luck, good and bad; and that the former seldom lasts long, while the
+latter is inclined to linger with a most disheartening persistency, and
+then grow worse.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+DAVID LEAVES HOME
+
+
+David was so excited over his proposed trip to a real ranch in South
+America that he found sleep impossible on the night following the
+momentous decision.
+
+His head felt like a whirling mass that refused to come to a standstill.
+He thought of a hundred things that he wanted to do all at once, but the
+thoughts rushed back and forth and around in circles so that he could
+not disentangle a single one to start with.
+
+He was going to have his wish at last; that much he realized. And South
+America at that! The very words were awe-inspiring. They suggested
+mighty rivers, vast jungles where monkeys formed living chains or
+bridges to span the streams, by clutching one another’s tails; and where
+giant snakes drooped like garlands from the branches of great trees
+while myriads of gorgeous birds and shimmering butterflies fluttered
+among the bright-colored flowers. These sights must be common ones, for
+had not the geographies pictured them as typical of the Southern
+Continent?
+
+David did not care, particularly, for some of the things he was sure he
+should encounter--especially the snakes and the crocodiles. But, of
+course, a ranch would not be situated out in the jungle; it would have
+to be in the open where there was grass for the cattle. He tried to
+picture such a place. A long, rambling building painted white, with a
+few palm trees in front under which saddled horses were waiting
+patiently for their riders; more trees, of some kind or other, nearby,
+in the shade of which men dressed in buckskins, with fringes on their
+breeches and great, leather gauntlets on their arms, were sprawled on
+the grass, their wide-brimmed hats lying on the ground where they had
+been carelessly tossed by their owners.
+
+All about stretched the rolling meadows, miles and miles, dotted with
+herds of cattle peacefully grazing on the long, green grass.
+
+That was the picture that formed itself in his mind. But the things that
+did not occur to him, the things the geographies did not mention and
+that no one had told him about, so far, were the blistering heat of the
+tropics that could scorch and burn as mercilessly as the blast from a
+furnace; the insect pests that rendered life all but unendurable; the
+fevers that sapped one’s vitality; and the monotony of existence in
+far-away, lonely places with only the treacherous half-breeds and stolid
+Indians for companions. It was just as well that these unpleasant
+details and many others of similar nature remained in the obscure
+background; he would make their acquaintance soon enough.
+
+“Better decide on what you want to take with you,” his father advised
+the next day. “You will not need anything fancy, and keep the amount
+down as much as possible. Talk it over with your mother.”
+
+That was good advice and David followed it. But it required nearly one
+full day to make out the list, go over it carefully, strike out some
+items, add others, and then start over again with the ever-present
+suspicion that something of importance had been forgotten.
+
+“I’ll tell you what,” he said finally, “I am not going to take anything
+except a few clothes to wear on the trip, one khaki outfit and a gun.
+How do I know what is proper down there? I might take down a lot of
+things only to find that they are not suitable in that climate. And the
+other fellows working on the ranch must get their clothes somewhere in
+the neighborhood, so I can, too, after I find out exactly what I need.”
+
+His mother promptly agreed that that was the sensible thing to do. Only,
+she added, a few good books might prove not unwelcome companions on such
+a trip, so David promptly packed his volumes on cattle and agriculture
+as well as a few favorite others.
+
+The news of his intended journey spread rapidly among his friends and
+acquaintances. They immediately divided into two factions; one
+considered him the luckiest mortal in the world while the other thought
+he was the most foolish person imaginable.
+
+David pitied them all, impartially. No matter how they felt, they were
+all doomed to remain behind, chained to the treadmill of city existence,
+while he was the one to go forth into God’s great world with only the
+horizon to mark the boundary of his vision and activity.
+
+“I cannot understand it,” Mr. Jones announced one evening soon after.
+“Rice has not answered my cable. Perhaps he has given up the ranch and
+gone to other parts. I am sorry, but you may not go after all. Too bad,
+after all the anticipation.”
+
+David’s heart sank.
+
+“Rice or no Rice, I am going just the same,” he announced.
+
+“But where to? If he has gone away there will be no place to which you
+can go.”
+
+“He couldn’t take the ranch with him, could he? If he has gone someone
+else must have it. And even if that outfit is out of existence there
+must be plenty of others. I am not fussy over where I make my start.”
+
+“Very well. So far as this proposition is concerned you shall have your
+own way. But you cannot blame me for being concerned about your
+welfare.”
+
+“Of course not. But at the same time, please don’t forget that I am not
+a baby. I can take care of myself.”
+
+His father bit his lip. His eyes narrowed as he regarded his son. And in
+that instant an idea came to him.
+
+“Just as you say,” he said quietly. “It will be your chance to show me
+just what you can do. The _Morales_ sails a week from today and I shall
+make a reservation for you. In the meantime, I shall send other cables;
+you may go regardless of whether there are answers or not. Is that
+satisfactory?”
+
+“It’s splendid. I won’t sleep a wink until then.”
+
+On the eve of the great day the little group around the dinner table was
+very silent.
+
+“Rice has answered at last,” Mr. Jones said suddenly.
+
+“What did he say?” asked David, eagerly.
+
+“Never mind what he said. You are determined to go, anyway, so it makes
+no difference.”
+
+“But does he want me to come?” David persisted.
+
+“Suppose he does?”
+
+“I should go, of course.”
+
+“And if he does not?”
+
+“I should go anyway. I am all ready, my ticket is bought and I couldn’t
+think of backing out. I should never hear the last of it.”
+
+“You are quite right. Everything is arranged, however, and I want you to
+go. You will do just as you planned.”
+
+David thought he noticed an amused expression on his father’s face, but
+he was not quite sure. It did seem, though, that his manner had changed
+remarkably in the last few days. His former reluctance had given way to
+seeming eagerness. But in the feverishness of his excitement David did
+not appraise these observations at their proper value and soon forgot
+them entirely.
+
+At last the memorable day actually arrived. The weeks of waiting had
+seemed an eternity. But here he was, aboard the great boat; some of the
+people about him were crying and for a moment he felt a strange feeling
+coming upon him. Going was not so easy as he had thought. Just then the
+bell warned all visitors to go ashore and amid the last farewells he was
+reminded of one thing.
+
+“Do not forget,” his father said, “you may return at any time you like
+and you will be welcome at home. Even if you stay only a few days, the
+experience of the voyage will be of value and you will be more content
+to settle down. Perhaps you will be back soon.”
+
+They went ashore. The gangway was raised and the engines began to throb
+ever so slowly as the ship backed out of her berth. Not long after that
+the boat was well out in the bay and the crowd that lined the dock
+merged into a waving mass in which it was impossible to distinguish
+anyone.
+
+Those last words filled David with something like resentment.
+
+“Perhaps you will be back soon!” Indeed! What did his father mean by
+that? Well, they would have to wait a long time before seeing him again.
+Upon that point he was determined. No matter what happened, he would not
+return home very soon. He would stick it out in the face of every
+obstacle and difficulty that might block his path. He would show them
+that he could make good if he but had the opportunity and the
+opportunity had come at last.
+
+By that time the ship was well down the harbor, so he sought his cabin
+to unpack his baggage. Upon entering he found a man several years his
+senior busily engaged straightening out his own effects.
+
+“My name is Rogers,” said the stranger, extending his hand. “I guess we
+share this place.”
+
+“Glad to know you. My name is Jones.”
+
+“Well, as we are going to bunk together for a while I suppose we might
+as well toss a coin for the berths.”
+
+So saying, Rogers fished a dime out of his pocket.
+
+“What will it be?” he asked.
+
+“I’ll take heads,” David replied.
+
+Rogers tossed the coin into the air.
+
+“Tails, you lose, Jones,” he said. “So I will take the lower. Anyway,
+you are younger and more spry than I am, so you will not mind climbing
+into the upper.”
+
+The conversation continued while they unpacked their luggage and the
+older man gave David a good deal of information, having noticed that he
+had not been to sea before. David rather liked Rogers and felt that this
+was the beginning of a pleasant friendship.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Dinner in the Jones household was a quiet, solemn affair that night.
+
+“Wellman played his part to perfection,” the father said finally. “Too
+well, in fact. For a while I was afraid David would agree with me that
+he should be discharged. But I am proud of the stand he took. He acted
+just as I would have had him do.”
+
+“Are you sure he does not suspect the plan was pre-arranged?”
+
+“Yes, he thought Wellman was serious in calling him down. He was going
+from bad to worse--through no fault of his own, I will admit. He tried
+hard to make good but could not; and he never will until he forgets
+those ideas with which his head is crammed. Only then will he come back
+to earth and buckle down to his job.”
+
+“Do you think he will be back soon?”
+
+“Yes, I think so. When he sees what he is compelled to endure in Brazil
+he will become disillusioned in short order. I know what I am talking
+about and so I think a short time of it will be all he wants. Three
+months, at most.”
+
+Mr. Jones spoke with an air of finality. The ability to look ahead and
+forecast the outcome of things had in a large measure placed him on the
+pinnacle of success he occupied. But for once, and in spite of carefully
+arranged plans, he was doomed to disappointment. For the son possessed
+all the advantage; he was entering with unbounded enthusiasm a field for
+which he had prepared himself, however slightly, and of which he
+therefore had some knowledge, while the father was making predictions as
+to the outcome of affairs of which he knew nothing.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE AMAZON
+
+
+Early the next morning David became aware of the fact that he had
+embarked on a stormy voyage. The ship rolled and pitched in an alarming
+manner. He could hear the shrieking and moaning of the wind and feel the
+vessel tremble as the waves struck the steel sides with a muffled roar.
+
+At first he did not know just what to make of it, so he groped for the
+switch and turned on the light. Rogers was sleeping soundly in the berth
+below. There was no one stirring on deck or in the passageway, so he
+came to the conclusion that a storm was not an unusual occurrence and
+that everyone took it as a matter of fact, so he snapped off the light.
+
+But it was far from comfortable, this rolling and tossing, and sleep was
+impossible. Daylight soon came, however, and with it the bustle and
+sound of voices on deck incident to life aboard ship.
+
+“Going down to breakfast?” Rogers enquired, holding to a hand-rail with
+one hand while he calmly shaved with the other. He seemed to mind not at
+all the lurching of the boat.
+
+“I guess not; I don’t feel hungry,” David replied in a weak voice.
+
+“Sick?”
+
+“A little. It’s not so bad while I lie still; but when I try to get up
+my head spins.”
+
+“Never mind. It will soon pass. Better have a cup of coffee; then you
+will feel better. I’ll ring for the steward.”
+
+“No, don’t. Please, let’s talk about something else; anything but food.
+Will the storm last long?”
+
+“It may clear up later. If it gets calmer come out for a walk on deck.
+The fresh air is a good tonic,” and he strode out of the room.
+
+But the storm did not subside. It lasted two whole days and three
+nights. By that time David was so ill he was compelled to remain in his
+berth another full day to recuperate sufficiently to venture out.
+
+The fresh air and the bright sunshine on the upper deck worked wonders.
+Added to these, long walks back and forth, a few games of shuffleboard
+and an occasional dip in the ship’s swimming tank soon restored his good
+health and usual cheerful manner.
+
+“You expect to work on a ranch in Brazil, eh?” Rogers commented one
+morning as they leaned over the rail to watch the flyingfish startled by
+the prow of the boat as she cut her way through the glassy water.
+
+“I not only expect to but I am going to,” David returned promptly.
+
+“How long are you going to stay?”
+
+“A long, long time. In fact, I haven’t thought of going back. I had
+better get there first.”
+
+“Know anything about ranching?”
+
+“Not much; but I can learn.”
+
+“Know anything about Brazil or what you are going to be up against?”
+Rogers persisted.
+
+“Not a thing.”
+
+“Do you know what I think?”
+
+“I’m not a mind-reader.”
+
+“Well, I think you are foolish to try it.”
+
+“Thank you,” David replied promptly.
+
+“I mean it.”
+
+“I can’t help what you think,” pleasantly. “My head is working overtime
+figuring out my own things.”
+
+“I would not go where you are going for a thousand dollars a month.”
+
+“Neither would I. I am doing this because I am interested in it and want
+to learn. Office work, no matter how easy, is unbearable to me because I
+don’t like it. Outdoor work, no matter how hard, will be fun because I
+do like it.”
+
+“I went to Manaos once, and that was far enough,” Rogers proceeded. “The
+heat, the rains, the mosquitoes, in fact everything that makes life
+miserable was there in too great abundance to suit me. If I were in your
+place I should go up the river for the sake of the trip. The Amazon
+country is great--to see from the deck of the steamer. Look at it until
+you have your fill and then go back to the good position you left. I am
+telling you right now that you are making a big mistake, and you will
+regret it.”
+
+“It’s very kind of you to take such an interest in me, but you must
+think I am a jellyfish. There is no use saying anything more. My mind is
+made up. I wouldn’t even think of backing out--not for the world,”
+Jones asserted in no uncertain accents.
+
+“All right. Think it over.” Rogers yawned and went to his deck chair,
+while David took a small, red volume from his pocket and devoted his
+time to the study of Portuguese.
+
+The days slipped by pleasantly and quickly. The water assumed a deeper
+blue color and great rafts of seaweed dotted the surface. The air was
+balmy and delightful.
+
+There was always something new and interesting to see. The birds in
+particular attracted David’s attention, especially the man-o’-war birds
+that soared on motionless, narrow wings hour after hour and, it was
+said, day after day, in the cloudless sky. They rarely slept or rested
+but sailed on tireless pinions as if they enjoyed it, bent on some
+mission none could fathom. Then there were the little petrels or Mother
+Carey’s chickens, as the sailors called them, fluttering and skipping
+over the water like huge, black grasshoppers; they appeared in greatest
+numbers on those rare occasions when the ship passed through a choppy
+stretch of water.
+
+Some of the barren, rocky islands were fairly teeming with boobies,
+jaegers, gannets and other feathered lovers of the briny deep. They sat
+on the shelflike ledges running along the faces of the cliffs like the
+tiers of beads on an abacus. Other swarms filled the air, fluttering,
+soaring, circling and wheeling amidst squawks and screams while still
+other hordes sat motionless on the water.
+
+The jaegers were the pirates of the deep. They waited until the smaller
+birds returned from their successful fishing excursion, then attacked
+them until they disgorged their catches which they greedily appropriated
+to their own use.
+
+These sights fascinated David. How different from the imprisonment of
+the city! And this was but a taste of what he was to see, a sample of
+the free life in the open for which he longed.
+
+After nearly two weeks sailing he came on deck one morning to find that
+the color of the water had changed overnight. Instead of the clear,
+crisp blue the ship was ploughing her way through a sea of yellow that
+extended to the horizon on every side. He called the matter to the
+attention of Rogers.
+
+“That muddy water is discharged by the Amazon,” the latter said.
+
+“But we are not near the river yet,” David remarked incredulously.
+“There is no land in sight.”
+
+“No, we are not near the river and will not be until some time tomorrow.
+Even if we were in the very center of the Amazon you could not see the
+banks, for the river is about one hundred and fifty miles wide at its
+mouth. The quantity of water it carries into the ocean is so enormous
+that it keeps its yellow color several hundred miles out at sea before
+the mud settles and the fresh water is thoroughly mixed with and
+absorbed by the brine of the ocean.”
+
+The next evening they saw the first indication of land. At first there
+were only long lines of white far in the distance where breakers were
+dashing over the low sandbars that checked their onward sweep. Later,
+they distinguished small, dark tufts, like feather dusters, outlined
+against the clear sky; these were coconut palms growing on the outlying
+islands. And before long the first land--dim strips of dark color
+seemingly suspended between the water and the sky, met their gaze.
+
+At night they entered the river proper. It was too dark to see anything,
+but David was so excited he could hardly sleep. Here he was, on the
+mighty Amazon, and it was not a dream either. What tales the silent
+water could tell could it but talk! What had the stream witnessed, on
+its journey through many thousands of miles of wilderness and jungle
+inhabited by savage beasts and equally savage peoples! And what secrets
+were locked up in that outwardly calm, yellow flood! The very air seemed
+saturated with mystery, romance and adventure. And here he was, alone
+and foot-free and eager to absorb his full share of everything this
+wonderful country offered.
+
+With daylight came disappointment. Instead of the wide expanse of water
+David had expected to see there was only a narrow channel through which
+the ship proceeded with caution. Both banks were covered with heavy,
+deep green vegetation, extending to the edge of the river. Creepers and
+ropelike lianas dangled from the branches and trailed in the water;
+climbing ferns and palms and a host of other plants clinging to the
+boughs and trunks united them into a solid wall of living green.
+
+Here and there a bright-colored flower glowed brilliantly against the
+darker background and from the interior of the tangled, matted screen
+came subdued cries and screams. A flock of green parrots, flying low,
+passed overhead and then dived into the jungle on the other side and
+disappeared. There were fully a hundred birds in the party, but they
+flew two by two, with a peculiar fanning motion of the wings, like a
+duck’s.
+
+One of the branches on the side nearest the steamer stirred and someone
+shouted “monkeys.” David looked but saw only the swaying vegetation
+which moved as if agitated by a gust of wind.
+
+“I am sorry I missed them. I have never seen a wild monkey,” he said.
+
+“You will see plenty of them before long; and not only see but get real
+well acquainted with them,” Rogers volunteered.
+
+“You mean they are tame and come to the camps in the forests?”
+
+“Not exactly. You will have to live on them.”
+
+“What? Eat monkeys?” David asked in dismay.
+
+“Certainly. Everyone does in the bush. The Indians eat
+everything--monkeys, crocodiles, snakes and lizards. And if you want to
+live out in the wilderness you shall have to do as they do because there
+is no other way out of it. You will be thankful for whatever you find
+whether you like it or not.”
+
+“But the rivers must be full of fish,” David reminded him.
+
+“They are. Catching them is another proposition though. Besides, there
+is nothing in the world a white man becomes so tired of as fish if he
+eats it day after day.”
+
+“Why worry?” David said it bravely, but a sigh escaped him. “If that is
+the custom here I guess I can get used to it.”
+
+The prospect of having to eat monkeys, as he knew them in the zoo at
+home, was not a pleasant one and the thoughts that were in his mind were
+reflected in the expression on his face. Rogers gave him a sharp glance,
+then walked away; he was finding his task a difficult one.
+
+The first stop was at Pará, and as the steamer carried a quantity of
+freight for that port and was to remain two days there was ample time
+for sightseeing ashore.
+
+The feel of solid ground under his feet was very welcome to David; and
+to enter the low-lying city beside the river was like stepping into
+fairyland.
+
+How different everything was from the life and living conditions of a
+temperate clime. Instead of the tall buildings and wide streets bustling
+with humanity there were blocks of low, white structures, narrow,
+crooked streets lined with drooping, swaying palms; and the people, of
+every shade from white to black, seemed to take things in a leisurely
+manner.
+
+It was warm--disagreeably warm at midday and during the early afternoon
+hours--but David was too interested in his surroundings to take much
+note of the heat. He tramped the streets and tried to see everything
+that unfolded itself before his eyes.
+
+The flaming _Jacaranda_ trees that thrust themselves upon one’s notice
+through the sheer boldness of their beauty fascinated him. Not extremely
+tall but with wide-spreading branches they looked like enormous bouquets
+so thickly were they covered with purplish flowers with only an
+occasional tuft of fern-like leaves to enhance their beauty.
+
+There were palms without number. Some grew tall and stately with crowns
+of gracefully drooping leaves; others had bent, spiny stems; and still
+others had shocks of ragged, split leaves perched on the top of thick,
+ringed trunks.
+
+A curio store just off the main thoroughfare attracted David’s attention
+and after gazing at the display in the windows for some time he decided
+to investigate the mysteries inside so forcefully suggested by the
+objects in front. He had always intended to make a collection of
+butterflies and other things and here was the opportunity to start it.
+But the door was locked. He tried the door of the next shop; it, too,
+was bolted. A passing policeman, observing his actions, volunteered the
+information that everything would be closed until later in the afternoon
+because the people were taking a nap during the hottest part of the day.
+And as David strolled down the street he rejoiced that the curio store
+had been closed, for what could he have done with the butterflies if he
+had purchased them? They were too fragile to carry around for months in
+the wilderness; and he would no doubt have the opportunity personally to
+collect all he wanted at the ranch.
+
+The afternoon being spent, the wanderer went back to the waterfront and
+boarded the steamer, and remained aboard for the night. There followed
+another day of sight-seeing, confined principally to the numerous little
+parks, and then the voyage was resumed up the river.
+
+David remained on deck as the steamer headed up the sluggish, muddy
+stream and enjoyed the changing vistas of broad expanses of water and
+the dark green of the vegetation that contrasted sharply with it. Then
+he went to his cabin to wash up for dinner. And there was Rogers
+examining a number of souvenirs he had purchased in Pará; a medly array
+of feather flowers, Indian head-dresses and the skins of birds and
+snakes was spread on the floor and chairs.
+
+“You still here?” David asked in surprise. He had not seen him since
+saying good-bye the morning they reached the port, as Rogers had stated
+that he was going no further than Pará.
+
+“Yes, I am going to stick around a while longer--until we get to Manaos,
+to be exact,” Rogers replied in a matter-of-fact voice.
+
+“Great! But you changed your mind rather suddenly, didn’t you? I hardly
+expected to see you again.”
+
+“I did intend to go only to Pará, but I found that my affairs had not
+been settled. So I have to keep on going. But I do not mind. The trip up
+the river is interesting.”
+
+“Say, Rogers,” David asked suddenly. “What is your business anyway? I
+don’t like to be inquisitive; that is why I didn’t ask before now. But I
+am filled with curiosity.”
+
+“It is of a personal nature; sorry I cannot go into greater detail but
+that would be violating a confidence,” and Rogers looked embarrassed.
+
+“I see,” David said simply, but he could not get the matter off his
+mind, try as he would. And to make things worse he could see no reason
+why Rogers’ affairs should cause him any concern.
+
+To spend six days on the mighty Amazon is an event in any man’s life; to
+David it was the greatest he had experienced. Each morning when the
+noise of the deck scrubbers awakened him he jumped from his berth and
+after dressing hastily went on deck to see the sun rise. On no two
+mornings was the awe-inspiring spectacle that unfolded itself before his
+eyes the same in all respects. Sometimes the flaming, angry ball of fire
+shot up as if from some place of concealment beyond the black wall of
+forest; once it rose out of the yellow flood, at the foot of a wide path
+of gold and pink light that danced and sparkled on the wave-crests; and
+again, there were but fleeting glimpses of shafts of bright light that
+darted through rifts in the cloud-banks whose edges were aglow with
+burnished silver.
+
+When the forested banks were visible they always loomed up like dark,
+impenetrable barriers; but as the light grew stronger the blurred
+outlines of trees, palms and a thousand points of vegetation gradually
+became clearer and finally revealed their identity.
+
+The forest enchanted the beholder. It exhaled an air of mystery, the
+promise of adventure; and at the same time it hurled a bold defiance.
+“Come, ferret out my secrets, search for my treasures,” it seemed to
+say, “and I will overwhelm you, engulf you and you will be no more. But
+come, come, if you dare.”
+
+David read both the invitation and the challenge; and with more
+determination than ever, he accepted them.
+
+Nothing was seen of the wild life with which the jungle must have been
+teeming. Perhaps it was because the walls of vegetation were so dense
+they hid the creatures that lurked within their green depths. Then, too,
+the river was frequently so wide that the banks could scarcely be
+distinguished, showing only as low, dark lines in the hazy distance.
+
+Occasionally a flock of ducks passed overhead. There were gulls also,
+and other waterfowls. But far more numerous were the parrots and great
+macaws, in large, boisterous companies that winged their way heavily
+across the wide expanse of water. From a distance the parrots resembled
+the ducks but there was always the easily noticeable difference, that no
+matter how large their number, they always flew two by two.
+
+“Where are all the crocodiles?” David asked the captain of the ship one
+day as the latter stopped beside him at the railing. “And the big water
+snakes and other things you hear about the Amazon?”
+
+The captain looked at him in an amused manner.
+
+“They are here, that is the crocodiles are, but the water is too high to
+see them,” he said. “During the dry season the sand bars and islands are
+covered with them. There are plenty of anacondas, too, but they stay
+around the banks. So you are going into the interior, I hear!”
+
+“Yes, to a ranch that’s just starting up,” David replied.
+
+“Well, you’ll see all the snakes and other vermin you want, and more
+too.”
+
+“Fine! I have never been here before and I want to see everything there
+is to be seen.”
+
+“You had better look fast then, because you won’t stay long. They all go
+back pretty quick.”
+
+“Not I. I am going into the business for good.”
+
+“That’s what they all say. And I carry them back home on the next boat.”
+
+“You will not carry me back on the next boat, nor on the trip after that
+either.” David was losing patience.
+
+“If you knew what’s in store for you you wouldn’t even go ashore when we
+get to Manaos; you would come right back home with me on this trip. And
+that is what I would advise you to do.”
+
+“Thank you,” and David walked away.
+
+They made short stops at the more important towns along the river, to
+deliver mail and unload freight.
+
+The waterfront in these places always teemed with dark-skinned natives.
+Long lines of men, stripped to the waist, were carrying bags of produce
+to barges moored to the banks, waiting for steamers going downstream.
+Groups of other men lounged on the docks or came to the ship in
+row-boats, offering fruit for sale.
+
+David was greatly surprised to see the barges of Brazil nuts that were
+being transferred to a steamer outward bound. The nuts--he had no idea
+there were so many in the world, were handled just like coal. They were
+scooped out of the barges in steam shovels and dumped into the hold of
+the boat, where they disappeared in the seemingly insatiable, black
+void. Many were spilled overboard and others rained on the deck, but no
+one cared.
+
+There were cargoes of rubber, too, large, oblong balls, or thick bricks
+that must have weighed several hundreds of pounds. But David was to see
+enough of them later and under less attractive circumstances.
+
+On the sixth day they reached the junction of the Rivers Negro and
+Solimoes.
+
+“This is the end of the Amazon,” Rogers explained as they gazed at the
+sweep of the mighty streams.
+
+“The end?” David asked in surprise. “I always thought of the Amazon as a
+river three or four thousand miles long.”
+
+“The Amazon proper is only about one thousand miles long. But the
+Solimoes continues on a few thousand more and is in reality the Upper
+Amazon. Here is a map that shows it.”
+
+He drew a folder out of his pocket and they spread it on the foot of a
+deck chair.
+
+“See?” Rogers said, “Manaos is ten miles up the Rio Negro which comes
+from the north-west. The Solimoes comes from the west and has its source
+near Quito, Peru. It is navigable, too, almost the whole of its length
+in boats of some kind. As I said, though, you have seen all of the real
+Amazon. Now, are you satisfied?”
+
+“What do you mean?”
+
+“Have you seen enough?”
+
+“Of the river and country? I should say not. I haven’t even started.
+What I have seen has only aroused my curiosity and a stronger desire for
+more. I can hardly wait to get into the interior. Think of what is
+behind those walls of forest!”
+
+“Mosquitoes, snakes and cannibals.”
+
+“Good! They are just what I want to see.”
+
+Rogers sighed but David did not notice it. He folded the map and put it
+back into his pocket.
+
+In another hour they had reached Manaos.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+ROGERS’ WORK
+
+
+Manaos is a surprisingly large city for one that is situated in such an
+out of the way place, but there is nothing bewildering or startling
+about it. In some respects it is very much like the larger but more
+backward towns of our own country but in most it is very different.
+
+The first thing to thrust itself upon the visitor’s notice is the
+intense heat; all the sun’s rays seem to converge in the depression in
+which Manaos nestles. An inspection of the place, however, reveals
+compensating virtues in the form of green, shady parks, cooling
+fountains, and comfortable hotels for the traveller.
+
+David was not particularly interested in the city although he took note
+of some of the more unusual features; he had seen Pará which had
+impressed him as being more attractive. He felt that enough time had
+been spent already in travel and in sight-seeing and he was eager to
+start work. So he lost no time in going to the hotel where someone from
+the ranch was to meet him, in accordance with the arrangements that he
+supposed had been made by cable before he left home.
+
+No doubt Mr. Rice had come to welcome him personally, he thought; and
+he was more than disappointed to learn that such was not the case.
+
+“Senhor Rice has not been here in weeks,” the proprietor of the hotel
+told him in answer to his questioning.
+
+“But he was either to be here or to send someone,” David protested. “I
+am going to his ranch and they were to come for me.”
+
+“Here is the list of patrons. You may read it. Do you recognize any of
+the names?”
+
+David scanned the page of the register and admitted that the names were
+all unfamiliar to him.
+
+“I would recognize only Mr. Rice’s name,” he added, “and that is not
+there.”
+
+“No, the Senhor is not here.”
+
+“Didn’t someone else say he expected me? There must be somebody here who
+is hunting for me right this minute.”
+
+The Brazilian shrugged his shoulders.
+
+“Oh, I understand now,” David explained, with a smile. “Whoever is
+coming hasn’t arrived. He might have been delayed accidentally or
+perhaps he thought the steamer was not due today. I’ll wait and
+everything will be all right. When I am asked for, remember that I am
+here. And, if a message or letter comes, give it to me without delay.”
+
+The whole explanation seemed so simple to David. It must be exactly as
+he had said. It was not in the least remarkable that one should miss
+connections in a land lacking the elaborate facilities for travel his
+own country boasted. He wondered how the matter could have caused him
+concern and why he had not thought of the solution before.
+
+Half an hour later he left his room and in passing through the corridor
+could not resist the impulse to step into the office to make another
+inquiry. But the answer was the same. There was nothing new, no message;
+nor had anyone arrived from the ranch.
+
+“Tomorrow, probably,” he thought, “and if not then, the day after that
+without fail. I must learn to be patient although they should apologize
+for keeping me waiting.”
+
+In the meantime, he would see what there was of interest in the city,
+and by asking questions learn as much as possible about the country of
+the hinterland.
+
+He had not gone two blocks before he met Rogers. The latter was stopping
+aboard the ship; he felt sure that he could wind up his affairs during
+the week the vessel lay in port and had engaged passage for the return
+journey.
+
+“Hello!” he greeted David cheerfully. “You still here? I thought you
+might be on your way to the ranch by this time.”
+
+“No, we missed connections some way. I can’t understand why, but they
+have not come for me yet. But I expect them any minute.”
+
+“Still got the fever, eh? Still want to go as badly as ever?”
+
+“I certainly have got the fever, and the temperature is going up.”
+
+“Say, you know what I said to you before--I think you are one foolish
+person.”
+
+“Look here, Rogers,” David retorted hotly. “Why are you so concerned
+over my affairs? I didn’t insist on knowing what brought you here but
+you keep harping about my business all of the time. Now forget it.”
+
+“If that is the way you feel, I shall not mention it again,” Rogers
+stammered, looking offended. “But--but just because I do not mention it
+will not make me feel differently about it. I am sorry you are so set on
+doing something you will surely regret.”
+
+“Good-bye.” David wanted to fight but he dared not, remembering past
+experiences and their consequences, so he quickly continued on his way.
+
+Three days passed and still David remained unsought by anyone from the
+ranch. The fact began to worry him.
+
+He had spent the time alternately waiting in the hotel and tramping the
+streets. The very sight of the Teatro Nacional, at first so imposing on
+its built-up pedestal that covers an entire city block; the plazas with
+their tropical trees, shrubs and dazzling flowers; the hot, winding
+streets; and the parrots shrieking and squawking from their perches in
+the doorways of the squat, thick-walled buildings; all began to pall on
+him. He had not come all that distance to see cities; if that had been
+his desire he might have remained at home. What he longed for was the
+great outdoors and the myriad, varied possibilities it brought with it.
+
+Why did not they come or at least communicate with him? he asked himself
+again and again. He could bear the suspense no longer. He would
+communicate with them.
+
+The telephone occurred to him first of all as the most rapid means but,
+of course, there was no service to Las Palmas. Nor was it possible to
+send a telegram. A letter was the only thing he could think of; but when
+they called for the letter they would also come for him. So there was in
+reality no way of communicating with them after all.
+
+In desperation, he went to the owner of the hotel and told him what was
+on his mind.
+
+“If they knew you were coming and wanted you at Las Palmas, they would
+have been here,” the latter said. “What do you expect to do there,
+anyway? My advice would be to go back home, if you asked me. You will be
+better off there.”
+
+“Good Heavens! This is beginning to look like a conspiracy of some
+kind,” David started, but checked himself. Again the visions of past
+experiences loomed up before him. He would endure almost anything rather
+than take a single chance of spoiling this new and greatest of all
+ventures. So he turned and walked away.
+
+“I know what I’ll do,” he decided. “I’ll see the American Consul. He
+will fix me up.”
+
+Just as he turned to enter the doorway beneath the shield that served as
+the guiding sign to the consul’s office he almost collided with Rogers
+coming out.
+
+They exchanged greetings and each went his way.
+
+After waiting a few minutes in the anteroom he was admitted to the
+official’s presence and briefly explained his mission. The consul
+listened impatiently for a minute and then interrupted the recital.
+
+“You will never get on there,” he said. “It is no place for an American
+without practical experience. Las Palmas is a particularly bad place and
+Rice is a terrible person--they call him the viper.”
+
+David was boiling within, but said nothing, so the official continued:
+
+“The ranch is a new one, just being opened up. No one but the natives
+and Indians can do the clean-up work that is in progress now. You would
+die in a little while if you tried it. I will fix up your passport and
+you start back on the next boat.”
+
+“I see,” said David simply, without betraying his feeling. “Thank you
+for your offer but I cannot accept it just now for I am certainly not
+going back home. I came to stay.”
+
+“Stay and you will be sorry.”
+
+“That’s up to me. And if Mr. Rogers comes to see you again, give him a
+passport. I intend to see to it that he leaves the country on the next
+boat.”
+
+The air in the street lacked the cooling quality necessary to restore
+David’s ruffled temper. Heat-waves rose from the flag-stones and smote
+him in the face and the slight eddies that whirled around the corners
+could have come out of the mouth of a furnace--they were so stifling.
+
+The truth of the whole matter dawned upon David at last. Rogers was the
+cause of all the discouragements he had met. The business upon which he
+had come was to try to persuade him to return home. He had been sent for
+that purpose. He chuckled grimly as he thought how Rogers would have to
+report failure of his mission. They would see that he was not a
+quitter. He did not blame his father for guarding his welfare but he
+would prove to the world that he could look after his own interest in
+any place and under any circumstances. The newly acquired knowledge made
+him more determined than ever. So, as he returned to his lodgings a plan
+formed itself in his mind; he would put it into effect without delay.
+There was but one other matter that had to be attended to first. He must
+see that Rogers actually sailed on the departing steamer; with him out
+of the way, the rest would be easy.
+
+A full hour before the ship was due to leave, David went aboard. And
+about the first person he met on deck was Rogers.
+
+“I came to see you off,” he said in a friendly manner.
+
+Rogers looked at him with a puzzled expression on his face.
+
+“You _are_ going, aren’t you?”
+
+“Why, yes, I guess so.”
+
+“Seems to me you ought to know for sure. If you don’t, I will tell you.
+You _are_. I am on to your game. The best thing for you to do is not to
+waste any more time. Tell them back home I am all right; and that you
+did your best to discourage me but--you know the result. I am sending
+letters on this same boat. Now, good-bye, and have a nice trip. I am
+going to wait at the dock until you are out of sight.”
+
+For a moment Rogers did not know what to say. Then he extended his hand.
+
+“Good-bye,” he said simply.
+
+“No hard feelings so far as I am concerned. You went to a lot of trouble
+for nothing.”
+
+“I am sorry, that is all.” Rogers appeared dejected. “And I can only
+hope that you will reconsider the matter before it is too late. Remember
+how they feel about it back home.”
+
+David went ashore and waited. It was with a feeling of relief that he
+saw the ship move out into the river at last, with Rogers at the rail
+waving a last farewell. When the vessel finally disappeared from view he
+turned his steps toward that section of the riverbank where a number of
+launches were tied up, with their crews either aboard or on the bank.
+
+“Where can I hire a boat?” he asked one of the men. “I want to go a
+short distance up the river.”
+
+“There is the _capitain_,” the sailor replied, pointing to a man dressed
+exactly like the others but wearing an officer’s cap on his head.
+
+David repeated the question to the person indicated.
+
+“Where to?” he asked.
+
+“The ranch Las Palmas.”
+
+“Why don’t you go on one of the Las Palmas launches?” the captain asked
+abruptly.
+
+“I would if I knew where to find one. But I have been waiting a number
+of days and none of their boats has put in here,” David explained.
+
+“I will show you one. See that gray launch right over there, the
+_Aguila_? That belongs to the ranch.”
+
+David could have shouted for joy. They had come for him at last. He
+hurried to the _Aguila_. Perhaps Mr. Rice had come in person to greet
+him. This was luck indeed! Probably he had hurried to the hotel with
+apologies for the delay; but no need for that inasmuch as he had finally
+come and the long wait was over. There was the possibility, however,
+that he was still aboard the launch.
+
+By the time David reached the boat it was almost impossible to suppress
+his eagerness and excitement.
+
+“The _Aguila_ comes from Las Palmas,” he began, “so they tell me. Is Mr.
+Rice on board now?”
+
+A sailor who was washing several articles of clothing by beating them on
+the rocks near the water’s edge looked up.
+
+“No,” he said. “Senhor Rice is not here. He never travels on the
+Aguila--it is not good enough for him.”
+
+“Doesn’t he ever visit Manaos?”
+
+“Yes, when there is some good reason for it but he always uses the
+_Indio_ which is larger and much finer; you should see it. The _Aguila_
+is for the peons and the cook when they come to buy provisions.”
+
+“Where is the _Indio_ now?” David was becoming somewhat uneasy.
+
+“At Las Palmas.”
+
+“Didn’t Senhor Rice say anything about coming to Manaos in the near
+future?”
+
+“He never talks to the peons, so I don’t know.”
+
+“You see,” David explained, “I am on my way to the ranch and they were
+to send for me.”
+
+“_Si, Senhor._” The man now stopped washing and listened respectfully.
+
+“Did you hear anything about that?”
+
+“_No, Senhor._”
+
+“When do you start back?”
+
+“This afternoon.”
+
+“Today?” in surprise. “When did you arrive?”
+
+“Two days ago.”
+
+“There must be a misunderstanding somewhere. I have been waiting a good
+many days and this is the first I heard of your coming, and that was by
+accident. Who is in charge of the boat?”
+
+“The captain. He went with the others to get some rice and other things.
+He will be back soon.”
+
+“I’ll wait, then.”
+
+“Yes, Senhor,” and the man resumed his washing.
+
+Here was a new predicament he had not counted on. For a while he racked
+his brain in an effort to disentangle the puzzle, but it was of no
+avail. He was compelled to give it up. There was certainly a mix-up
+somewhere and that was all there was to it. By and by it would be all
+cleared up and he would then laugh at his present anxiety and vexation.
+
+The captain arrived before very long, followed by three men carrying
+heavy bags on their shoulders. He was a thick-set, burly fellow and one
+could tell at a glance that he was accustomed to giving orders which
+others dared not hesitate long in obeying. A stubby beard covered the
+greater part of his face effectually, concealing his features--all but
+the eyes--small, black and penetrating. A flat cap with a long peak was
+perched on the top of his head, the black hair, touched with gray,
+appearing under the rim in a dense, unkempt ring.
+
+That head-dress, David was to learn later, was typical of the masters
+of the smaller river craft and was their only badge of position and
+authority for, otherwise, they were dressed exactly like their ragged
+crews.
+
+David did not like the looks of the swarthy newcomer. But that did not
+matter. He wanted to get to Las Palmas and the man possessed the means
+of getting him there.
+
+“My name is David Jones and I am from New York,” he said by way of
+greeting. “I have been waiting a long time for you.”
+
+“Me? Why have you been waiting for me? What do you want?” the captain
+asked in surprise.
+
+“I want to get to the ranch. Didn’t Mr. Rice instruct you to bring me
+out?”
+
+“I don’t know anything about it. Nobody said a word to me.”
+
+“Well,” David tried to conceal his impatience with a laugh, “I am
+expected at the ranch and I want to get there so soon as possible. I can
+have my baggage here in fifteen minutes.”
+
+The captain was looking at him sharply, even suspiciously.
+
+“Do you think this is a passenger boat?” he asked. “We don’t carry
+strangers without a written order from the boss.”
+
+“But this is different,” David protested. “I am not a stranger. They are
+looking for me. Mr. Rice must have misunderstood the date or he would
+have been here personally.”
+
+“That is not my fault,” said the captain gruffly.
+
+“But I can go with you, can’t I?”
+
+“No! If you knew the boss you would not ask me to take you. He is awful
+when anyone does a thing he don’t like. He killed a man for that very
+thing last week.”
+
+“I am not afraid he’ll kill me.”
+
+“Neither am I. I don’t care what happens to you but I do care what
+happens to me.”
+
+“How soon is the _Aguila_ coming back to Manaos?” said David in despair.
+
+“Not for six months. Next week she starts on a long trip to carry
+supplies to the rubber camps upriver.”
+
+“And the _Indio_?”
+
+“The _Indio_ has a broken propeller. They sent for a new one but it
+generally takes a year to get anything from abroad.”
+
+“Say,” David was wiping his face in desperation, “I have to get to Las
+Palmas and that is all there is to it.”
+
+“I have nothing against it. Get there any way you like--but not on the
+_Aguila_.”
+
+A sudden idea came to him. Perhaps the fellow wanted money.
+
+“I’ll pay you well. How much do you want?” he asked.
+
+The Brazilian straightened up; his eyes blazed.
+
+“Are you trying to bribe me?” he bellowed, “and right in front of my
+men? If you are, you’re insulting me. I am paid for my work and I want
+none of your money. A fine person, you are, to try to buy me to disobey
+my chief’s orders.”
+
+“I did nothing of the kind,” David returned hotly. “I offered you money
+to pay my passage because I could hardly ask a stranger to carry me for
+nothing.”
+
+“Well, I accept your explanation, but you will not go, just the same.
+That is settled--understand? I am very busy.” This was said in such a
+manner that David could not fail to grasp its significance.
+
+He was in a quandary. It was just one discouraging thing after another.
+Would matters ever become straightened out? He must go on that launch,
+for had not the burly captain told him there would not be another in
+months? He made one more desperate effort.
+
+“I am going on the _Aguila_ whether you like it or not. And when I get
+to Las Palmas--” he began, but the captain stopped him.
+
+“Talk all you want to, but if I catch you aboard my boat I’ll throw you
+into the river,” he threatened.
+
+David looked at the man and knew he would keep his word. His mind worked
+fast; he thought of one other thing.
+
+“How soon do you start?” he asked.
+
+“In two hours.”
+
+“Will you take a letter for me?”
+
+“Yes, I will take a letter or as many as you want to send, but I will
+not take you, so don’t ask it again. Las Palmas is no place for a
+foreigner. It is terrible there--snakes, insects and fevers. And the
+boss treats us like dogs.”
+
+David ignored these remarks.
+
+“I’ll go to the hotel to write the letter and will bring it to you in
+less than an hour.”
+
+He hastened back to his room to prepare the missive, and ignoring a
+first impulse to write all that had occurred during the last hour, he
+only stated that he had arrived and was eager to reach the ranch, but
+had no way of doing so.
+
+“When Mr. Rice gets this he’ll ask the captain questions and then he’ll
+be furious at the way I have been treated,” he thought. “And he’ll make
+him turn right around and come back for me. Then it will be my turn to
+show off, just as he did, and it will serve him right. He will soon find
+out who I am.”
+
+He hastened back to the river to deliver the letter, and as he thought
+the matter over he was glad he had omitted all reference to the captain,
+for the latter would doubtless read it and if he found anything too
+personal he would destroy it.
+
+Bad as it was, his position could have been a great deal worse. It was
+now a question of only a few days more of waiting. That was a certainty.
+
+But when David reached the river, breathless and perspiring, a new
+calamity awaited him. The _Aguila_ was gone.
+
+He looked up and down the river; there was no sign of the boat. As he
+stood on the sand, too stunned to move, a sailor came up to him and
+spoke sympathetically.
+
+“Are you looking for the _Aguila_?” he asked.
+
+David subconsciously murmered assent.
+
+“She left over half an hour ago--right after you went away.”
+
+“Thanks.”
+
+David turned and slowly walked away. Try as he would to banish the
+feeling, there was no denying the fact that his experiences were
+beginning to dim the glamor of the life he had longed for; and that,
+too, in the face of the fact that so far he had accomplished absolutely
+nothing.
+
+He went to the post office and mailed the letter, hoping that somehow or
+other it would reach its destination.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+A CHANGE OF FORTUNE
+
+
+David felt sure that he was the most luckless of all persons. So far,
+about everything had gone wrong. But there must be a turning-point
+somewhere. It was strange how a single misunderstanding could cause so
+much confusion.
+
+To make matters worse, regardless of what happened he had to accept the
+situation in apparent good humor, for he dared not assert himself too
+strongly. If there had been trouble, he would have been blamed, fairly
+or unfairly; that had been, almost invariably, his experience. Rather
+than take a single chance at spoiling this opportunity of a lifetime he
+would suffer in silence. But when the day came, as it surely would, when
+he had won his spurs, he would demonstrate that he could direct affairs
+as well as obey the orders of others.
+
+He had wanted to thrash Rogers; and the American Consul should at least
+have been told that his duties did not include meddling in other
+people’s business. As for the gruff captain of the _Aguila_--he should
+receive his dues when the time came; Mr. Rice would of course make him
+regret his rude conduct toward his guest.
+
+When David reached his hotel his indignation was still at the boiling
+point. He must relieve his mind to someone and that person,
+unfortunately, was the owner of the hotel, for he happened to be the
+first one he chanced to meet.
+
+He told him the whole episode from beginning to end omitting none of the
+details. The man listened attentively until the recital was finished.
+Then he grunted, with an amused expression on his face.
+
+“Hum! I think he did right in not taking you. His orders were clear.”
+
+“Yes, but how about the letter? He said he was leaving in two hours and
+then went in half an hour.”
+
+“There may have been a reason for the change. If you knew his boss you
+would not blame him for being careful. Las Palmas is a notorious place.
+Everyone who can, avoids it. Those who are there are slaves--they are
+afraid to leave. Rice has the reputation of being the worst character in
+the country.”
+
+“That’s very interesting,” David retorted. “I am very glad to hear it
+because I had the idea that all ranch life had become tame and
+commonplace. It will be great to see a real place--I can hardly wait to
+get there.”
+
+“And how are you going to get there?” the Brazilian asked with a smile.
+
+“That is the question just now; but, once there, I guess I can look out
+for myself.”
+
+“You can’t walk. It is many, many kilometers away. And the ranch boats,
+you say, will not be back in a long time.”
+
+“Right! Still, I will find a way.”
+
+“Let me assure you that you will not. Now listen. You do not know how
+lucky you are to have escaped that outfit at Las Palmas----”
+
+“And next,” David interrupted, “you will be saying that there is a boat
+out of here for New York soon and I had better take it.”
+
+The hotel man looked sheepish.
+
+“I thought so,” David continued. “Save yourself any further trouble on
+my account. You take care of your business and I’ll tend mine. Please
+remember that.”
+
+Leaving the astonished Brazilian he went to his room and spent the
+greater part of an hour looking out of the window at the little plaza
+across the street and--thinking.
+
+“I can’t stay here any longer,” he finally concluded. “If I do I’ll get
+into a fight and I don’t want to fight. I’ll have to watch my step.”
+
+He packed his belongings, slowly and without paying a great deal of
+attention to just what he was doing. When he entered the office and
+asked for his statement the owner of the hotel appeared grieved.
+
+“Why are you leaving now?” he asked. “The boat does not leave until
+tomorrow.”
+
+David gritted his teeth but smiled.
+
+“I know it. But I am sailing out of here right now. How much is it? I am
+in a hurry.”
+
+A moment later he stepped out into the street and turned in the opposite
+direction to which he intended going, knowing that inquisitive eyes were
+following him. A few blocks away he entered a side street and then came
+back toward the center of the city. He found one of the smaller inns and
+secured a room without arousing comment. Now he felt more free to pursue
+the plan he had formed for, unknown and among disinterested persons, he
+was more apt to get the help and information he needed. Or at least
+there would be no interference.
+
+He made no inquiries until late the following morning. Haste or a show
+of too great eagerness might arouse suspicion. And then, after artfully
+swinging the conversation he had started with the clerk to hunting and
+to big game, he casually inquired if it would be possible to hire a
+launch or boat of any kind for a trip up the river.
+
+Much to his delight he was told that such a thing could be arranged
+without trouble. There were numerous craft leaving the port daily that
+would drop him at any of the little colonies or camps situated along the
+river bank. The clerk even gave him the names of several persons with
+whom arrangements could be made for such an outing.
+
+To David the future seemed decidedly brighter and not long after he
+sought the first man on his list. After locating the man--the keeper of
+a small shop on the Rua Amazonas, and making a trivial purchase, he
+remarked that he might find it necessary to make a short journey on the
+river and was looking for a launch he could hire by the hour or day.
+
+The Brazilian was quick to grasp the opportunity.
+
+“My boat is at the disposal of the Senhor,” he said. “It is a good
+boat, very seaworthy, and does not pitch or roll badly; that is
+important, for the river is so enormous and storms come up suddenly.
+Where do you want to go?”
+
+“How much, by the day?” David countered.
+
+“Sixty milreis. I will go with you and run the launch myself.”
+
+David hesitated for a moment, as if pondering the proposition. Sixty
+milreis equalled twelve dollars.
+
+“Well,” he said thoughtfully, “your price is pretty high but if the boat
+is extra good I guess I will take it. I want to start tomorrow.”
+
+“How far do you want to go? I must know on account of the provisions.”
+
+“How far can you go in one day?”
+
+“Eighty or a hundred kilometers.”
+
+“We can make it in a day then.”
+
+“I shall be ready tomorrow, at any time you say,” the Brazilian said
+with finality.
+
+David could have shouted for joy. At last he had found the way.
+
+“I think an early start is best, don’t you?” he said as calmly as he
+could. “Six o’clock will be all right. So get everything ready today and
+then there will be no delays in the morning.”
+
+“Very good. Now, exactly where do you want to go?”
+
+Dark clouds again appeared on David’s horizon.
+
+“To one of the ranches along the river,” he replied quickly.
+
+“Yes, but just where? There are several and how will I know which one is
+the right one?”
+
+“It makes no difference, as I am paying by the day. If it takes a little
+over one day I will pay you for two whole days.”
+
+“That part of it is all right. But I am compelled to make out papers for
+the port officials when I carry passengers.”
+
+“Make them when you get back. Then you will know just what to say.” The
+situation was desperate for David.
+
+“I could do that,” he said thoughtfully, and again David felt elated.
+But after a moment the Brazilian continued, “There is only one place on
+the whole river to which I can take no one.”
+
+“What place is that?” with bated breath.
+
+“Las Palmas. That is the one ranch where a landing is forbidden.”
+
+“Why? That is the very spot I am bound for.”
+
+“I am sorry, but as I said, I cannot take you there. The owner is a
+foreigner. He is very terrible,” the Brazilian explained. “Nobody dares
+stop there without a written permit. It is all very mysterious and you
+should hear the tales that are told about the happenings at Las Palmas.”
+
+David tried to laugh; he felt more like crying.
+
+“It is different in my case,” he stammered. “I am expected there.
+Arrangements were made by cable for them to meet me here but there was
+some misunderstanding about the date. You will be taking no chances.”
+
+“You do not know that outfit or you would not talk like that. I will not
+go.”
+
+“I will give you twice your regular price.”
+
+“Not for a million milreis! What good would they do me after I was full
+of bullets or poisoned arrows?” The shop-keeper was firm.
+
+“Are they really so bad as all that?” David asked incredulously.
+
+“Worse. Much worse. Once the government threatened to send soldiers
+there to investigate things and they sent back word to come on with the
+whole army but to bid it good-bye first for they would never see any
+part of it again. So you see what kind of people you are dealing with.”
+
+“All right,” David assumed an indifferent air. “If you don’t want my
+money there are others who do.”
+
+“Yes, Senhor. They are welcome to it.”
+
+Seeing that argument was useless, David took his departure and went to
+the second man on his list.
+
+The negotiations proceeded smoothly as before until it became necessary
+to disclose his destination. Then the Brazilian absolutely refused to go
+any further with the matter. Nor could he be swayed from his
+determination. He would go anywhere, even to Santa Isabel or the
+Cassiquiare that connects the Rio Negro with the Orinoco--trips of many
+weeks’ duration. But to Las Palmas? “Never!” most emphatically.
+
+David was more crestfallen than ever as he went in search of the third
+man. “There is something very mysterious about all this,” he thought.
+“If it is really such an awful place I had better keep away from it.
+But I have to see it first. I can leave if I don’t like it--that is, if
+I ever get there.”
+
+The interview with launch owner number three was shorter than the other
+two. This man was gruff, even discourteous, and wanted to know first of
+all where he wanted to go. And when David told him, he simply shrugged
+his shoulders, said “No,” and walked away.
+
+There were still others to be seen, but David decided that he had had
+enough for one day. He walked to the river and looked across the broad
+expanse of water, ruffled by the breeze, muddy, and gliding along
+majestically and silently as if fully aware of its awe-inspiring
+grandeur and power. Where did all that water come from? Where was it
+going? What secrets were locked up in the pitiless flood? What strange
+and unknown denizens lurked in its dark depths? And, what treasures were
+strewn upon the bottom of the bed over which this torrent rushed,
+heedlessly, relentlessly and everlastingly? Day and night, rain or
+shine--it was always the same, oblivious to all things save only the
+fulfilment of some mission on which it was always hurrying, hurrying,
+yet seemed never to accomplish. Men might come and go--all men might
+come and go--but what of it? Countless numbers had done that very thing
+along its unreckoned shores and not a few of them had been engulfed in
+the heartless waters. Thousands of years old, it was nevertheless young.
+When other ages had passed there would be still no traces of age or
+decay. Always the same--always the same.
+
+Such were the thoughts that surged through David’s mind as he gazed at
+the wide river, with the tiny waves laving his feet. They gave him an
+uncomfortable feeling such as he had not experienced before. He admired
+the stream for its enormity and respected its untold might; but he was
+not so sure that he liked it.
+
+Numbers of dugouts, _batalaos_ and other craft were tied up along the
+bank. The idea came to him suddenly. If he could not hire a launch, why
+not take one of these? The trip would require more time and be less
+comfortable, but these things would be minor considerations.
+
+He approached a group of men near one of the batalaos and asked guarded
+questions as to the uses to which it was put. And then he swung the
+conversation to navigation in general on the river; to the country
+bordering the stream and to kindred topics, and so secured a good deal
+of information that was of value to him.
+
+He learned, for instance, that the craft was sea-worthy and was used on
+the longest journeys, frequently of months’ duration. That travelling in
+a batalao was a slow process unless the wind held out when sails were
+used to advantage; during the intervals of calm, oars or poles were used
+and even long-handled hooks to catch in the overhanging vegetation. Last
+of all, in answer to his question as to whether he could rent or buy
+such a craft, he was told that it was probably impossible to do either.
+All of them were owned by the proprietors of rubber concessions or
+similar ventures, and were employed in their service exclusively,
+excepting only a few in the possession of professional rivermen; these
+latter were usually under contract to some _patron_ and were engaged in
+some private pursuit such as fishing or freighting, which they could not
+desert.
+
+That was the last straw. As David walked away he began to believe that
+he should never reach Las Palmas.
+
+“Luck is certainly against me,” he murmured. “I’ll flip a coin to see
+what I’ll do. If it’s heads I will stay and keep on trying and if it’s
+tails I’ll--I’ll stay anyway. There must be a way of getting to that
+place; but I haven’t thought of it. The way will come to me--if I wait
+long enough.”
+
+And come it did, sooner than he expected. The very next day the
+opportunity presented itself in the guise of a very large batalao that
+swept down the river, manned by twenty swarthy oarsmen, and joined the
+collection of other boats at the landing.
+
+Somehow, that outfit was different from the others. The men did not look
+like the sailors along the waterfront. They spoke a different language
+and the Brazilians on shore did not greet them with the usual cries and
+banterings.
+
+David was interested in the new arrivals at once. “The way to find out
+things is to ask questions,” he thought. “I will find out about them.”
+
+He did not go to the man in charge of the batalao, but to one of the
+Brazilians to whom he had spoken on several other occasions.
+
+The boat had come from Venezuela, he learned, by way of the Cassiquiare
+that connects the Orinoco with the Rio Negro of the Amazon side. The men
+were Venezuelans and were traders who plied their calling along the
+great rivers, visiting all the settlements and even the solitary huts,
+buying native produce and selling provisions, dry goods, hardware and
+ammunition. They travelled in a leisurely manner and knew more about the
+rivers and their navigation than any other persons. With them, time was
+no object and only when their stock of goods was on the verge of
+exhaustion, or when they had accumulated a cargo of native products to
+sell, did they make for the nearest market and base of supply. That was
+why they had come to Manaos now--to dispose of vanilla beans, copaiba
+oil, gold nuggets and a number of other things and to replenish their
+supply of trading articles; for now they were going to the rubber camps
+of the Upper Amazon, this being the season of harvest of that product.
+To accomplish the double object of their visit would require at least a
+week, probably two.
+
+Much to his delight, David found that the pilot of the new boat had a
+fair knowledge of the Portuguese language--better than his own, in
+fact--and he struck up an acquaintance with him at once; but he did not
+hurry matters. There was plenty of time to cultivate friendship, and
+haste might cause him to be suspected of some ulterior motive.
+
+David called at the wharf daily and finally the captain accepted his
+invitation and returned the visits, even remaining to dinner at the inn.
+They attended a performance at the Teatro Nacional later and then were
+firm friends.
+
+When the craft was about ready to depart, ten days later, David suddenly
+announced to Don Marco, for that was the captain’s name, that he would
+accompany him on the trip up the river. The latter was at first
+surprised and then amused; it seemed a joke; but when David insisted
+that he was in earnest he was pleased. Only one thing puzzled him; he
+was not equipped to carry passengers. The crew ate almost anything,
+slept anywhere and shifted for itself.
+
+David assured Don Marco that he should be contented with the same
+conditions. He expected no special consideration. He would even help
+with the work if desirable and would go as one of the party.
+
+“If you will do that,” the captain said at last, “I shall certainly be
+glad to have you. But how will you get back? We may not touch at Manaos
+again for a year, perhaps longer.”
+
+“That will be all right,” David replied. “You will stop at all the
+settlements and ranches----”
+
+“Yes. We miss none of them.”
+
+“Then I can stop off at one of them when I have seen enough of the
+river. It may be in a few days or it may be longer, according to how
+fast we travel.”
+
+“Splendid. Get your things together and I will send a _mozo_ for them
+this afternoon. You will need a hammock, a mosquito net, and a blanket.
+Take anything else you want to.”
+
+David hurried away and purchased the necessary articles. In addition,
+he also bought chocolate and a few other things he thought would be
+necessary.
+
+For him the tide had turned. For once he was without misgivings. At last
+he was about to embark on the great river; it was the beginning of a
+long voyage, but he was eager to entrust himself to the whims of the
+mighty stream to be wafted wherever fate decreed--as a chip drifts and
+eddies in obedience to the unseen forces that control its destiny.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+HARPOONING A RIVER MONSTER
+
+
+The man came, as promised, and carried the baggage from the inn to the
+boat. David had never lost sight of the fact that his belongings must be
+kept at the minimum; but he had added to them constantly--the hammock
+and net, for instance, and while all the articles were necessary ones,
+they increased the sum total until they now filled a large suit case and
+a bag.
+
+He followed the sailor as soon as he could settle his account and mail a
+few letters he had written the night before.
+
+It was still early in the morning. The batalao, which bore the name
+Elisa Ana in black letters on both sides, was scheduled to start before
+noon. But there were innumerable things to be attended to at the last
+minute. Don Marco made several trips into the city for things he had
+forgotten. Then the sailors went for personal supplies of matches and
+tobacco, which they might have purchased long before. And when, at three
+in the afternoon, everything was apparently in readiness, it was
+discovered that one of the men was missing. Two of the others were sent
+to find him but the trio did not show up until six o’clock. The captain
+was furious and berated them soundly, for now it was too late to start
+that day, but they would get under way very early the following morning.
+
+They were all required to remain aboard that night. David swung his
+hammock in a corner indicated by Don Marco and rigged his net over it.
+The heat was stifling and, worse still, the hammock was most
+uncomfortable; it sagged low in the middle while the ends were up high,
+so that David had to lie on his back with his body bent like a bow. He
+tossed about for a while and finally decided that if he was to secure
+any sleep that night it would have to be elsewhere than in the hammock,
+so he clambered out and stretched himself on the bare boards of the
+little forward deck.
+
+Don Marco had observed this action and asked the reason for it.
+
+“I can’t sleep all doubled up in the hammock,” David explained. “The
+ends must be too close together, because my head and feet are way up in
+the air.”
+
+“You don’t know how to use it,” the captain said with a laugh. “I will
+show you. Look! You have to lie crosswise, not in a straight line with
+the hammock.”
+
+David tried it, lying diagonally with his head in the upper right-hand
+corner and his feet in the lower left-hand corner. The effect was
+magical. The hammock straightened out flat and he was very comfortable.
+
+The crew was active early the next morning--long before daylight broke
+over the river. The cook had kindled a fire on a box of sand in the bow
+while the others squatted around him watching, and conversing in loud
+voices. When the water was bubbling he produced a container that looked
+like a very large pipe and filled it with leaves out of a bag.
+
+David, looking on, thought it was some kind of a pipe and tobacco, and
+was therefore surprised to see the man pour the steaming water into it.
+Then a short stem was inserted in the top opening and the cook handed it
+to the captain, who proceeded to draw up the liquor through the tube.
+When he had drunk all of it the cook refilled the bowl with water and
+brought it over to David.
+
+“What is it?” the latter asked. “Coffee?”
+
+“No! _Yerba maté_, or Brazilian tea. It is very good. Try it.”
+
+David did not like the idea of drinking through the tube that had
+already been used, but did not want to appear churlish, so took a sip.
+The concoction tasted bitter and astringent. He handed back the
+_bombilla_, for that was the name of the outfit. Don Marco and the men
+laughed.
+
+“He does not like our drink,” they said, “but he will get used to it. It
+is very delicious and a good medicine, too, but one has to learn to
+drink it.”
+
+The cook prepared coffee for David while the rest of the party continued
+to fill the bombilla with hot water and to pass it around from one to
+the other until each had had it at least half a dozen times.
+Occasionally it was recharged with fresh leaves, but all drank through
+the same tube.
+
+Later in the day Don Marco told David a good deal about yerba maté,
+which seemed to be a kind of national beverage in Brazil and some of
+the neighboring countries, liked by rich and poor and almost universally
+taken from a common container such as he had seen that morning.
+
+The plant from which the leaves are taken is a species of South American
+holly growing abundantly in parts of Brazil, the Argentine and Paraguay,
+and remaining green the year round. They are gathered while small, when
+they are of a light green color, by cutting the branches from the plant
+and heaping them in piles to dry, after which they are shaken over a
+cloth to catch them as they fall from the withered stems.
+
+This tea had been the principal beverage of the Guaraní Indians when the
+country was first settled, and the invaders found it so excellent that
+they followed the custom of the aborigines in drinking it.
+
+David became so interested in yerba maté after learning these facts that
+he bought an outfit of the trader for his personal use and soon learned
+to drink the native tea in preference to coffee.
+
+The morning cup being over, the sailors brought in the rope hawser and
+took up the long-handled oars. Soon they had rowed the craft far out
+into the river, where the current was strongest, for they were now
+heading down the Rio Negro to its junction with the upper Amazon. A sail
+was hoisted and as there was a brisk wind they travelled at a rapid rate
+and reached the Amazon in less than two hours’ time.
+
+David now had ample time to examine the boat on which he had been
+accepted as a fellow voyager. It was large, very large, in fact, for
+such a craft, being fifty feet long and twelve feet wide, but of very
+shallow draft. The bottom and sides were made of thick boards spiked to
+heavy, hand-hewn timbers. There was a small deck forward and another
+aft, the spaces below being used for storage, and over each was a small,
+rounded shelter of palm leaves.
+
+Along each side was a runway of boards like a narrow outrigger on which
+the men walked when poling the boat through shallow water.
+
+In the center was a board structure which made the batalao look like a
+long houseboat. This was the store and was filled with provisions and
+merchandise placed on shelves and in heaps on the floor. Almost
+everything of value to the dwellers in the interior was carried,
+including tinned foods, rice, beans, dried fish, oil, cloth, fish-hooks,
+knives and matches. Also tobacco, maté, and quantities of the staple
+food along the Amazon--farinha.
+
+The men next attracted David’s attention. Although he had seen most of
+them during the previous days he had not had the opportunity to study
+them closely. There were twenty; strong, sun-burnt, good-natured and
+ragged, but not very energetic. However, when Don Marco shouted an order
+it was quickly carried out. They either respected or feared him--it was
+impossible to tell which.
+
+As the boat, aided by the current, sped along, the sailors busied
+themselves tidying up things in general, and looking to the
+paraphernalia they would need during the journey up-stream, which would
+begin shortly.
+
+The river was but slightly ruffled, the dark-colored water speeding
+along in a broad belt between high, rolling banks covered with dense
+forest.
+
+There were many other craft on the river, including a tramp freighter
+from some foreign port, launches, and a number of huge dugout canoes
+laden with bananas, nuts and other produce on its way to the city
+markets.
+
+The crews always called to one another if the outfits passed within
+hailing distance, each asking as many questions as possible as to
+destination, business and other things, before conversation was checked
+by the growing distance between them.
+
+As they neared the junction of the two streams the course of the boat
+was altered, for after entering the larger river they would journey
+up-stream; they would be compelled to hug closely the forested bank
+where the current was slack, if there were no wind.
+
+The vista of the two rivers, joining their waters to form a mightier
+stream visible below and appearing like a ruffled sea, was majestic.
+Also, it was terrific in its very grandeur. The dark water of the Rio
+Negro did not at once mingle with or become absorbed by the muddy flood
+of the Solimoes, but the two ran side by side a distance of many miles,
+the sharp distinguishing line clearly visible, before merging their
+identities.
+
+The scene was a wild and dismal one and David was impressed with his own
+littleness and that of those about him. The contrast had not seemed so
+great from the high deck of the steamer when he came up the river; but
+in the comparatively frail shell of the batalao it was different. The
+craft seemed so small, so helpless on the broad, billowy expanse of
+hurrying water. A rowboat in mid-ocean would not seem more out of place.
+
+The sailors, apparently, were well versed in the ways of navigating the
+great rivers. They handled the sails and the rudder in a skilful manner
+and were soon tacking up-stream with a cross wind. Progress was now more
+slow, and when, an hour later, the wind failed so that the sails hung
+limply in the rigging, they were furled and made fast.
+
+The water near the bank was shallow--not over four feet deep and
+generally a good deal less. Long poles were brought out; they had
+cross-pieces padded with cloth on one end and looked like tall crutches.
+Each man took one and then the crew was divided into two sections, one
+of which went to each outrigger board along the sides. The sharp ends of
+the poles were thrust to the sandy bottom while the men braced their
+shoulders against the padded ends and then pushed, running back along
+the boards in an even line. This propelled the boat along fairly
+rapidly, but it was hard work.
+
+The sailors pushed the heavy craft forward with the poles throughout the
+remainder of the day, stopping only at noon for their ration of farinha
+and an hour’s rest.
+
+Towards late afternoon they reached a section of the river flanked by
+wide marshes. Great masses of vegetation floated on the surface of the
+stream, such as wild lettuce, water hyacinths with inflated stems and
+blue flowers in spikes, lilies, and a host of other plants. The giant
+_Victoria Regia_ margined the sheets of varied green in immense clumps
+and ribbons. Each leaf of this queen of water lilies was from six to
+eight feet in diameter, with upturned edges so that they resembled a
+cake-tin--but for their enormous size. Heavy veins and midribs supported
+the leaves with their sturdy framework; they were covered with long
+spines and thus served not only to support but also to protect the
+tender green webbing of the leaves that stretched between them, as if to
+discourage any familiarity with a member of a royal family. The flowers
+bobbing here and there among the massive foliage were not larger than a
+dinner plate and of a bluish color. Although both leaves and blossoms
+rested lightly on the surface of the water, they were securely anchored
+in place with thick, cable-like stems, and roots that penetrated the
+murky bottom a distance of many feet.
+
+Before long they reached a small creek that served as an outlet for some
+lagoon hidden beyond the forest walls. As they entered the heretofore
+quiet water it was churned into a frenzy by long, dark forms that darted
+out of the narrow opening and made for the river. They passed on each
+side of the batalao, cutting the surface with broad backs and leaving a
+perceptible swell in their wake.
+
+“What are they, sharks?” David asked in surprise.
+
+“No!” Don Marco said. “They are called pirarucú and are the great cod of
+the Amazon.”
+
+“But what monsters! I had no idea there were such large fish in any
+river. They looked longer than a man and must weigh a hundred pounds.”
+
+“Ha! They were twice as big as a man and would weigh five or six hundred
+pounds each. You shall see for yourself, if you stay long enough,” the
+captain said with a chuckle. “The river is full of them. Perhaps we may
+get one now, for this is a good place to fish. We will anchor the boat
+and try, anyway. The fish--many kinds--go up into the lagoon to feed, so
+they have to pass through this little channel both going and coming
+back. The pirarucú were just about to enter, but we frightened them, so
+they rushed back into the open water.”
+
+“Do you think they will come back?” David asked eagerly.
+
+“Yes, if we keep still.”
+
+“I wish I could catch one; but nobody would believe me if I did--and
+told about it when I got back home.” Then brightening, “There is a
+camera in my suitcase. I could take a picture of it; that would fix
+them.”
+
+“You would have to catch it first,” Don Marco reminded him.
+
+“Let me have a hook and line. I will try it anyway.”
+
+“Very good! I will give you a hook and line, so you can fish for pacú
+with the rest of us. The pirarucú is so large you must use a harpoon to
+get it. I will keep one handy; perhaps we shall have good luck. But in
+the meantime we will catch pacú, because they are a sure thing.”
+
+They had anchored where the channel was narrowest. The men unwound the
+lines and baited the hooks with plump grains of maize that had been
+soaked until soft. Scarcely had the ripples made by the plunges of the
+heavy sinkers died down when the fish began to bite.
+
+They struck with a powerful rush and dragged the line through the water
+with a burst of speed that was surprising. The men swung the poles
+upward to hook the fish securely and then hauled in the lines with their
+hands. Soon the silvery fish, nearly two feet long and very broad, were
+pulled aboard in numbers and thrown on the decks.
+
+David was so absorbed in watching the others that he almost forgot his
+own line. He felt a sudden tug and recovered just in time to prevent the
+loss of his pole. He followed the example of the others and soon landed
+the glistening pacú. Catching fish in this manner was not much of a
+sporting proposition, but it was not without its thrill of excitement.
+
+The sharp eyes of Don Marco caught a slight ripple in the water ten
+yards to their rear. At his word of warning the men stopped talking and
+quietly pulled in their lines.
+
+The pirarucú were returning to their feeding-grounds. Slowly they came,
+and cautiously, swimming just beneath the surface and looking like
+shadows. The school was a large one, for the water seemed alive with
+the giant fish. The captain had noiselessly come to David’s side and
+placed a short iron harpoon in his hand.
+
+“Throw it just as you would a stick and aim about a foot ahead of the
+fish,” he said.
+
+A few yards from the boat the foremost of the school stopped. David
+could clearly distinguish the trim outlines of the broad, dark backs,
+the large eyes, the gaping mouths and the gently waving fins. What
+monsters they were! And how he longed to possess one of them!
+
+Without warning the fish disappeared. They had become suspicious of the
+boat floating in their path and had simply melted into the depths below.
+
+Don Marco motioned for continued silence. He knew the ways of the
+creatures; before many minutes had passed they reappeared as suddenly as
+they had gone. But now they were on all sides of the batalao. Their
+fears had vanished and they moved as a unit into the passageway.
+
+David held the harpoon firmly in his right hand; at his feet lay the
+coil of thick cord that was fastened to it. A small keg was perched on
+the outrigger board; it would serve as a buoy to locate the fish when it
+had become exhausted.
+
+When one of the passing host was almost below him David let go the
+harpoon with all his strength. There was a splash, followed immediately
+by other splashing all around them as the entire school sounded.
+
+The line rushed overboard and cut the water with a hissing sound; a
+moment later the keg followed with a splash and began a wild rush into
+the river. It was a
+
+[Illustration: A huge silvery form ... leaped out of the water, rolled
+and wallowed convulsively, and sank from sight.]
+
+great sight to see the half-submerged buoy tearing a wide path through
+the muddy water, towed by the terrified monster deep below.
+
+“The _curare_!” Don Marco shouted; but the men had already untied the
+dugout canoe that trailed behind the batalao. The captain, David and two
+of the sailors jumped into it and they were off after the fleeing keg.
+
+“He can’t keep it up very long,” Don Marco panted as they dug deep their
+paddles and sped along. “A few kilometers at most and the drag will tire
+him out. He must be enormous--look how the keg is travelling. If the
+line should break he will be lost.”
+
+After running downstream several hundred yards the float came to a stop.
+
+“It snapped, or the harpoon did not hold. He’s gone,” were the first
+thoughts that came to the pursuers. But a few minutes later it moved
+again, this time heading upstream. That was fortunate for the men but
+unfortunate for the fish, for now it had to fight not only the current
+but pull the hampering weight against the stream also. And it was coming
+straight toward the canoe. Soon it was abreast, so the paddlers turned
+the craft and now had no difficulty in keeping up with it.
+
+Bit by bit the fish weakened and after half an hour the keg stood still.
+
+“Now we must get it quickly, before it can rest,” the captain called.
+When they reached the float he leaned over, caught the line with his
+hands and began to pull it in, not hurriedly, but with an even, steady
+movement.
+
+This, however, gave new life to the fish. It dashed away, downstream,
+but the man retained possession of the cord and the canoe tore through
+the water at great speed, her nose ploughing so deeply that it was all
+but submerged.
+
+The men dropped their paddles and began to bail out the water that
+poured in in a steady stream; but soon it became apparent that their
+efforts could not stem the flood that was rising about their feet. If
+the fish did not slacken its pace soon they would have to release the
+line or the canoe would be swamped.
+
+But the great pirarucú was rapidly exhausting the last vestige of its
+strength in pulling the dugout. It was gradually coming nearer the
+surface; and then a huge, silvery form leaped out of the water, rolled
+and wallowed convulsively, and sank from sight.
+
+Don Marco rapidly took in the line and in a moment they had reached the
+spot where the last ripples were dying in a widening circle; soon the
+prize had been brought up from the muddy depths and wallowed helplessly
+beside the boat.
+
+What a beauty it was! And what a monster! A line was made fast just in
+back of the fins and they towed it back to the batalao, where it was
+hoisted aboard.
+
+As the great fish lay on the deck, David surveyed it with a triumphant
+gleam in his eyes. It was fully eight feet long and the captain said it
+would weigh more than four hundred pounds. The glistening body was a
+foot and a half broad across the back and two feet wide along the
+greater part of its length. Silver scales the size of a dollar covered
+it and those on the lower half were margined with scarlet. The mouth was
+very large and wide open; the fish was dead.
+
+After examining it for some time David’s feeling of exultation gave way
+to pity for the beautiful creature. It was of such great size, so
+majestic, and seemed like a fitting denizen of the Amazon,
+representative of the mystery and the wonder of the mighty river. It
+seemed so out of place on the deck of the boat.
+
+“That is a beauty,” he commented, “but one is enough for a long time. I
+am not going to kill another unless it is needed very badly. What are we
+going to do with it?”
+
+After taking a number of photographs of the fish, David watched the
+sailors dress it. Then they cut it into slabs and sprinkled salt over
+the pieces, which they hung up to dry.
+
+“It will keep months now,” Don Marco said. “We shall need most of it,
+and what is left can be sold further up the river.”
+
+They rowed and poled upstream a short distance above the mouth of the
+creek and anchored for the night.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+WHEN THE RIVER RAN RIOT
+
+
+There were a number of small settlements scattered along both banks of
+the river, but the trader did not stop at any one of them during the
+first days after leaving Manaos. He said they were too near the city, to
+which the people made frequent trips, so they naturally purchased their
+supplies during these visits, knew the market value of everything, and
+would not pay the prices he was compelled to charge. It was further
+upstream, where the inhabitants were more isolated and the distance too
+great for them to make frequent excursions to Manaos, that he expected
+to glean his harvest.
+
+The second day passed without incident. In one stretch, where the water
+was too deep for poling, the sailors got out long-handled hooks. They
+caught these in the overhanging branches and then walked along the board
+runways, but now they pulled as they walked instead of pushing, as they
+did when poling, and only half could engage in the work, as there was
+forest on only one side of them. Therefore, they were divided into two
+parties of six each, one resting while the other trudged along the wet,
+slippery boards.
+
+It seemed to David as if the branches overhead harbored all the insects
+in the world. Each time the hooks were thrust into them a shower of
+ants, leaf hoppers and a multitude of other winged and crawling
+creatures fell into the boat.
+
+The men seemed not to mind the hordes of creeping things streaming down
+their arms and bare backs, beyond an occasional exclamation of annoyance
+or some jesting remark when one of their number was deluged with an
+exceptionally large number. But when on the third day the hooks stirred
+up a nest of the fierce maribundi wasps their tolerant attitude quickly
+changed, for the insects were quick to resent the interference with
+their domestic affairs.
+
+Several of the wasps darted out of the dense foliage, their red bodies
+gleaming like flying sparks. They made straight for the men and
+simultaneously there rose a chorus of wild screams mingled with the
+clatter and splash of poles that fell from hands now occupied in
+striking at the darting specks or in clutching madly at their bodies.
+
+David came to the door of the storeroom to see what had happened; he was
+amazed at the strange antics of the sailors, who were now making for the
+opening in which he was standing. He was not kept in suspense long.
+
+If a red-hot needle had been thrust into him the effect could not have
+been more painful. One of the wasps had discovered David and had plunged
+its fiery dagger into his arm.
+
+He dashed back into the storeroom with a cry of pain, and the men
+followed in quick succession. They slammed the door as soon as the last
+one had entered, and at last they were safe from the attackers.
+
+The batalao, left to its own devices, began to drift downstream, but
+none sought to stop it. The crew, packed tight between the boxes and
+bales, was too much occupied with a more vital matter, and some of the
+men who had been stung a number of times were screaming and moaning in
+agony, while from others came not a sound--they had lost consciousness.
+
+David had never suffered such intense pain in his life. His arm throbbed
+and burned and was rapidly swelling to huge proportions. At times he was
+on the point of fainting and grasped the nearest support to keep from
+falling to the floor. The stifling heat in the room added to the
+suffering of all.
+
+“Open the door!” Don Marco shouted. He had come through the encounter
+unscathed. “Get out into the fresh air,” he added; “we have drifted past
+the nest; the danger is over.”
+
+Someone obeyed the first order mechanically and those who could walk
+went out upon the deck. They presented a sorry appearance. Some had been
+stung on the hands; others on the face or bare backs, the exact spots
+being marked by rising protuberances of an angry red color.
+
+In the meantime David was wondering what he could do in the matter of
+giving relief. He thought of iodine; that would help. Then he remembered
+the snake-bite lancet in his pocket--a hard rubber device that looked
+like a short fountain pen, with a sharp steel blade in one end and a
+pocket of permanganate of potash crystals in the other. He would try
+that, on his own arm first.
+
+After opening the wound with a quick thrust of the keen blade he rubbed
+a quantity of the dry powder into it. Then he painted the whole area
+with iodine. Relief from the burning pain followed quickly; there
+remained only the dull throbbing.
+
+Encouraged, he began working on the sailors. They submitted to his
+ministrations and were grateful for the help he gave them.
+
+“The maribundi wasps are terrible creatures,” Don Marco said that night.
+“I am more afraid of them than of anything else in the jungle; they are
+even worse than snakes, because there are more of them and it is
+impossible to escape from them when they are encountered. If a man is
+stung four or five times, he dies. And only one sting will often make a
+person sick for weeks.”
+
+They had anchored so soon as it was possible to muster enough hands to
+row the boat to the bank.
+
+“Are they very common along the river?” David asked anxiously.
+
+“Yes, here and on the Orinoco too; and not only along the water, either.
+One is liable to run into them in the forest and in the clearings alike.
+They are quick to attack the moment they are disturbed. You must give me
+some of your remedy, for it is the best I have ever found. But for your
+quick work some of the men would have died.”
+
+The journey was not continued until two days later; the men had
+recovered sufficiently by that time to resume their duties. They were
+obliged to use the hooks, as before, and could only trust to luck for
+the future.
+
+That day they stopped at several clearings and traded with the settlers.
+The places were interesting--like notches hewn into the heavy jungle,
+openings with ragged edges where the vegetation was advancing in solid
+formation to reclaim its own. There was abundant other evidence that the
+fight of man against the forest was incessant. Second-growth sprouts
+sprang up in the yuca fields in back of the huts and unless they were
+cut down promptly they soon formed dense thickets that smothered the
+cultivated plants. Besides the yucas, from which the farinha was made,
+there were clumps of bananas, plantains, sugar cane and tree melons;
+also small plantations of coffee trees. These were from ten to fifteen
+feet high, round and bushy, and covered with clusters of small red
+fruits. Each of the little spheres contained two coffee beans, their
+flat side resting face to face, and the whole surrounded by a thin,
+sweet pulp. There were tall breadfruit trees near the huts, their broad
+leaves providing shade and the great cylindrical green fruits serving as
+an addition to the food supply.
+
+The Brazilian cherries interested David greatly. They were about the
+size of the ones he was accustomed to at home, and of the same bright
+red color, but had deep grooves in them from stem to tip, so that a
+cross section would have the outline of a star.
+
+Most of the people were squatters in the wilderness. They were
+Portuguese who had cleared their little patches of land and were
+subsisting on the bounty of the soil and the river. They worked little,
+except in fighting the forest, as all vegetation grew so luxuriantly and
+yielded such abundant crops that little cultivation was needed to
+produce all the food they required. They were easy-going, good-natured,
+and spent most of their time in their hammocks, conversing and sipping
+tea or coffee.
+
+A few of the stations, however, were owned by residents of Manaos, who
+visited them occasionally and maintained hired help permanently to
+cultivate the soil and care for a few cows, pigs and fowls.
+
+The dwellings were all of similar construction--flimsy structures with
+bamboo walls, earth floors and roofs of palm leaves. The tropical
+luxuriance of the foliage all around them, however, gave them a
+picturesque appearance so that they seemed to fit properly into their
+surroundings. A more substantial type of house would have been
+impracticable and out of place in such a climate.
+
+“Are there no large ranches along the river?” David asked, after leaving
+one of the clearings.
+
+“Yes, there are a few, but they have been started very recently. Each
+time I come back this way I find a few new ones, but none of them is
+very large. We expect to reach one of them tomorrow; I just heard about
+it in Manaos.”
+
+“What is it called?”
+
+“Las Palmas. The owner is one of your countrymen. They say he has an
+enormous ranch in the Argentine and is going to make Las Palmas the
+best and largest in the Upper Amazon. But it will be hard work and I
+doubt if he will succeed.”
+
+“Do you know anything about the owner? What did they say about him in
+Manaos?” David asked eagerly.
+
+“Nothing much except what I told you.”
+
+“That might be a good place for me to stop,” David suggested.
+
+“Tired of the river already?” Don Marco asked in surprise.
+
+“No! Just beginning to become interested.”
+
+“Then it must be that you do not like our company. I am sorry,” and the
+captain seemed offended.
+
+“No! Nothing of the kind,” David hastened to assure him. “You have been
+mighty good to me and I wish I could stay with you on the whole trip.
+But my time is limited and I want to see some of the ranch life. To tell
+the truth, that is the reason I came to Brazil.”
+
+“As you wish. But I shall be sorry to see you go.” There was a note of
+real regret in Don Marco’s voice. “It has been a pleasure to have you
+and I have enjoyed your company.”
+
+They reached the landing just before noon of the following day.
+
+“This must be the spot, but where is the ranch?” the Venezuelan asked,
+greatly puzzled, as he looked up the narrow trail leading from the high
+bank straight through the heavy forest. Aside from this path there was
+no evidence of life in the neighborhood.
+
+“I know the river too well to be mistaken,” he continued. “This is the
+spot they described to me.”
+
+But the tall, dark trees standing like sentinels over the narrow lane
+men’s hands had made at their foot were grim and silent, as if guarding
+some secret.
+
+“It may be back from the river a short distance,” David suggested.
+
+“It must be. But a ranch should be on the water, or very near to it.
+That is the custom here. They have boats and launches at Las Palmas, but
+where are they? This is the landing. We shall see!”
+
+Then, calling to two of his men, Don Marco continued:
+
+“You, Pedro and José, walk down the trail and see how far it is to the
+house. Come back at once after you find it. Do not tell anyone your
+business or mine.”
+
+The men departed, soon disappearing among the shadows cast by the
+tangled branches overhead. Some of the other sailors began to fish,
+while David got together his things preparatory to leaving. The cook
+prepared slices of the salted pirarucú for the departing guest, for
+David had found the flesh delicious and had said so on several
+occasions. It was just as well that the cook had taken for granted that
+the remarks referred to his cooking, rather than to the natural quality
+of the fish, for he showed appreciation in various ways, the most
+acceptable of which was the frequent preparation of those things David
+liked best to eat.
+
+Hour after hour passed, but the two men did not return. Some of the men
+waiting on the boat began to fear that they had lost their way or had
+met with a mishap. And David, remembering the many things he had heard
+about Las Palmas and the fate that would befall anyone attempting to
+enter the place, began to wonder if he were not to blame, for he had
+failed to warn them of their danger. It was now too late for regrets,
+for the men had been gone more than three hours.
+
+“Why don’t we go after them?” he finally asked the captain. “I will go.
+They may be lost.”
+
+“Impossible,” Don Marco returned. “Both are good woodsmen and know how
+to find their way.”
+
+“Could they have been attacked by Indians or some animal?”
+
+“It is possible, but I think not. They know how to fight.”
+
+“Then why don’t they return?”
+
+“_Quien sabe!_ We will wait a while longer and see what happens.”
+
+After another hour had gone by the two men returned, tired and mopping
+the perspiration from their faces.
+
+“Well?” their employer asked.
+
+“_Caramba!_” one panted. “Such a place! _Caramba!_”
+
+“Yes,” the other added, “such a place.”
+
+“What is the matter with it?” impatiently. “You act like a pair of
+dunces.”
+
+“Miserable,” the first man said. “I never saw anything like it. First
+you have to walk your legs off to get there, and when you arrive you
+find it is for nothing.”
+
+“That is the truth,” from the second man, “and the trail is terrible.
+We had to cross streams on log bridges, wade through ponds filled with
+_yacarés_, and splash through mud nearly up to our knees. _Caramba!_”
+
+“But what did you find out?” Don Marco asked impatiently.
+
+“After we had been walking several hours--long after leaving the
+forest--a man on horseback rode up to us and asked us what we wanted.
+There were houses and sheds not far ahead and he came from that
+direction. When we told him he began shooting at us and chased us away.
+
+“We came back faster than we went--much faster, or we should not be here
+yet. There were Indians in the woods, too, but we escaped them.”
+
+“But did you tell them you only wanted to find out how far----”
+
+“We tried to, but the barbarian gave us only a half minute’s start
+before he began to shoot. We could not talk and run at the same time.”
+
+“You two cowards,” said the captain in disgust. “We have lost a whole
+afternoon on your account.”
+
+“Anybody would have acted as we did.”
+
+“Perhaps the man was joking,” David ventured. He was far from being
+comfortable.
+
+“We could not read his mind. We know what he said and did, and that was
+not very funny,” they said hastily.
+
+“What kind of a place was it--I mean the houses?” David continued. “Did
+it look like a real ranch?”
+
+“It did not look like much--from a distance,” one of the men replied.
+“But we did not get very near to it.”
+
+“I suppose I shall have to find out for myself then,” he said with a
+sigh.
+
+“Are you going to stop here anyway?” asked the captain in surprise.
+
+“Yes. You will have to leave me here.”
+
+“It will be a long walk--and no telling what will happen when you get
+there, according to the report of these two.”
+
+“Well, I will have to take a chance. I can follow the trail and go
+slowly. I am sure they will not try to chase me away.”
+
+David wanted to start right away, but the captain would not hear of it.
+It was too late in the day to undertake such a long tramp through the
+forest. And for one unfamiliar with the country the attempt to spend the
+night under such circumstances was ill-advised, to say the least, for
+the trail was indistinct and difficult to follow even in the daytime.
+
+David reluctantly agreed to the force of these arguments, and as the
+boat was to remain there anyway for the night he decided that he would
+stay aboard.
+
+After supper they rowed a short distance into the stream and anchored.
+
+It was well that he did not ignore Don Marco’s advice not to attempt to
+spend the night alone in that, to him, unknown jungle, for the onrush of
+darkness had scarcely enveloped the earth when one of the terrific
+storms, as greatly feared as they are common on the Amazon, swooped out
+of the west and for two hours held land and river helpless in its
+merciless grasp.
+
+The onslaught came suddenly. Before the first warning drops had awakened
+the sleepers, a wall of wind and falling water swept down the river and
+struck the batalao with such force that it nearly capsized.
+
+The men sprang from their hammocks and crowded into the storeroom, where
+they were held prisoner while the storm spent its fury.
+
+The downpour thundered steadily over their heads and here and there a
+small rivulet found its way through the roof. Below them, the waves
+hissed and boomed as they dashed against the sides of the dancing craft.
+And from the forest came an occasional roar, followed by a crash which
+told the fate of some great tree that had succumbed to the force of the
+gale.
+
+Although sweltering in the close atmosphere of their quarters the men
+were in no danger, for thanks to their preparedness the boat was far
+enough from the bank to prevent its grounding; and the anchor held fast.
+
+After a while the rain stopped, but the wind did not die down until
+daylight came. By this time the waves had attained a great height and
+the boat pitched and rocked so violently that those aboard began to be
+uncomfortable. All the while one other sound reached their ears above
+the shrieking of the wind and the pounding of the waves. It was a dull,
+muffled noise coming singly sometimes like the booming of a distant gun,
+and again in a rapid succession of roars, rumblings and crashes--some
+nearby, others far distant.
+
+Daylight revealed the cause of the disturbance. The constant beating of
+the waves had undermined sections of the river bank and long, narrow
+strips of it were falling into the water. It was a wonderful yet
+terrible sight to see the great masses of trees begin to shudder, then
+bow low and finally plunge headlong into the heaving, yellow flood that
+had washed the foundation from under their roots.
+
+After this din the whole tangled mass disappeared, only to come to the
+surface in a few moments to be swept downstream, the branches waving
+above the angry water like so many struggling arms appealing frantically
+for assistance.
+
+Each landslide further agitated the water and added to the power of the
+waves. And as the men looked up and down the broad expanse of river it
+seemed as if the work of destruction must encompass all the land. But
+with the coming of the sun the wind slackened and the waves subsided,
+and the slides were less frequent and of smaller extent. Finally they
+stopped.
+
+Don Marco said they had witnessed a sight that was as unusual as it was
+awe-inspiring. Not until days later would the last of the débris
+disappear down the stream.
+
+David took his possessions and went ashore and shortly after he had
+entered the dripping forest the batalao resumed its way up the turbulent
+river.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE ROAD TO LAS PALMAS
+
+
+That lonesome walk through the towering forest was an experience David
+would never forget.
+
+How tall the tree-trunks were and how thick and straight. It must have
+taken centuries to grow to that size. On some, the lowest branches did
+not start until fifty feet or more above the ground; they reached toward
+and intermingled with their neighbors, forming a sturdy framework for
+the canopy of leaves that shut out the sunlight except in scattered
+spots where a bright shaft penetrated the thick mat and cast a dazzling,
+wavering blotch on the sombre forest floor.
+
+The steady drip of water came from overhead, and the ground underfoot
+was soft and spongy from the drenching of the previous night, so that
+there was not a sound as David walked rapidly up the narrow trail.
+
+Suddenly it came upon David that the silence was not only under his
+feet; it was all about him. While he had expected to find the jungle
+teeming with life, there was not a sign of life. Instead of the chorus
+of screams, roars and howls that should have greeted his ears there was
+only the breathless silence of a vast solitude, so intense that the
+beating of his own heart seemed to pound in his ears like the blows of a
+sledgehammer.
+
+The wilderness was full of life--it must be--but where was it? David
+felt that inquisitive, eager, even menacing eyes were gazing at him from
+places of concealment in the dense vegetation; but he could not see
+their owners. This thought added to the uncanny feeling that was slowly
+taking possession of him.
+
+What if he should be charged by a jaguar? Or suppose a herd of ferocious
+peccaries should surround him? The trees were too thick to be climbed.
+There was no means of escape open to him.
+
+A twig snapped in back of him. He wheeled instantly, but saw nothing.
+Standing motionless, he waited a few minutes. Not a leaf stirred, but a
+faint, shuffling sound reached his ears, like the footfalls of some
+heavy creature stealing away. Without awaiting further developments he
+opened his pack and took out his revolver; he strapped the holster to
+his waist. That gave him a feeling of security and he continued the
+tramp through the gloomy forest.
+
+As time passed the pack on his back seemed to grow heavier and the
+perspiration ran down his face in rivulets. Also, the parcel was a
+serious impediment in crossing the numerous little streams spanned by a
+single log and that, frequently, of small size.
+
+Walking across the slippery foothold with the deep, murky water below
+was precarious in itself; the pack rendered it doubly so. He walked
+across the larger trunks and hitched over those of more slender
+proportions.
+
+David had just negotiated one of the latter and had stopped to readjust
+the weight of his burden. A faint rustle made him turn suddenly and
+look down the trail. There, not a dozen paces from the stream he had
+just left, stood an Indian, a long bow in one hand, an arrow in the
+other. The brown skin of the savage, marked with stripes of black paint,
+blended well with the sombre tree-trunks and dark foliage.
+
+For a moment neither stirred but each gazed at the other, David in
+surprise and consternation, the Indian with an air of resentment at
+having been discovered. Then the latter advanced a step menacingly and
+raised the bow to the level of his shoulders. David’s hand flew to the
+holster on his belt and a shot, aimed high, rang out clear and sharp in
+the silent forest. The Indian gave a wild yell, sprang to one side and
+dashed away. The thud of his feet and the swishing of the branches were
+ample proof that he had no intention of stopping in the near vicinity.
+
+“I guess that fixed him for the present,” thought David; “but I’ll have
+to hurry; he might come back with others and then it would not be so
+easy to scare away the whole pack.”
+
+A hundred yards up the trail he stopped, slipped the pack off his back,
+and hid it in a mass of ferns growing between the buttressed roots of a
+great tree. After that he could walk more rapidly.
+
+When another hour had passed he noticed that the forest was becoming
+more open in character. The trees were further apart and the sunlight
+found its way to the ground in numerous splashes and pools of bright
+light. About the same time he heard the call of a bird--the first sign
+of animal life on all that long, solitary tramp. It was fortunate that
+he saw the author of the sound, for it was a shrill, quavering note that
+was unearthly and weird in the extreme.
+
+The bird was of the shape and size of a guinea hen, but of a rich brown
+color. It ran out into the trail just ahead of him and stood looking at
+the man with bright, black eyes until he was nearly upon it, when it
+flew away with a loud whirr of wings. It was a poor flyer, however, for
+although it hurtled through the air at great speed, its course was
+erratic; it darted one way, then another, until it dashed against a
+tree-trunk and fell to the ground, where it lay fluttering. David
+started toward it, but before he had covered half the distance
+separating him from the now quiet creature a lithe form sprang out of
+the cover on one side of the path, picked up the bird in its mouth and
+darted out of view again.
+
+The marauder was of the cat family and spotted like a leopard, though
+not so large. Its sudden appearance gave David a start, for it proved
+that there was life in the silent forest in spite of the hush that
+prevailed. Unseen eyes and keen ears were about him; it required only
+the proper combination of circumstances to bring the creatures from
+their hiding-places. This thought was far from comforting and the lone
+wanderer redoubled his vigilance in an effort to forestall a surprise
+attack on himself.
+
+At last the forest gave way to a scrubby growth, and this was soon
+replaced by open country; that is, it seemed open in comparison to the
+jungle through which David had just passed.
+
+There were low bushes in scattered groups; between them lay grassy areas
+of considerable extent. Clumps of trees stood like dark islands in the
+sea of lighter green; and here and there was the glint of water--lagoons
+fringed by reedy marshes.
+
+The picture was that of a perfect wilderness, but it was an enticing
+one. It bore the stamp of primeval nature and seemed pregnant with the
+promise of rich rewards for the one who cared to go in quest of them.
+
+“The ranch cannot be much farther,” David thought. “It would have to be
+out in the open, of course.” And he scanned the country in all
+directions for some signs of the buildings or their occupants.
+
+But the wilderness stretched on unendingly on all sides, with only the
+narrow thread of a trail to give evidence of the fact that the country
+was not unknown to man.
+
+There were other foot-paths, too, but they had been made by
+animals--deer, peccaries and tapirs, and occasionally there was the
+deep, broad imprint of a jaguar’s foot, or the smaller, uncertain track
+of an ocelot.
+
+Birds of many kinds dotted the sky and were spread out over the
+landscape. Parrots and great macaws sped by overhead; herons and egrets
+covered the trees as with a snowy mantle; and rafts of ducks floated on
+the quiet water, while smaller birds dabbled among the grass and reeds
+lining the lagoons. Of the latter, one kind in particular attracted
+David’s attention. They had long legs and long necks and could have been
+mistaken for snipe but for the fact that they seemed to run and skip
+over the surface of the water with the ease of covering firm ground.
+But when David drew nearer he saw that the birds had wide-spreading toes
+which enabled them to use the mats of small, floating plants as a
+footing. They were reluctant to fly, but when they did they fluttered
+like grasshoppers, exposing a greenish patch of color in each wing, and
+uttered queer, cackling, scolding notes.
+
+Some of the smaller ponds or sloughs had begun to dry. The water that
+remained was muddy and teemed with fish that had been left stranded far
+inland by the flood of the last rainy season. The imprisoned creatures
+were struggling frantically in the slimy liquid, dashing back and forth
+in futile efforts to find an outlet into some larger and friendlier
+basin. In their frenzy they attacked one another and numbers threw
+themselves out upon the land, where they gasped their last. Apparently
+this state of affairs had been going on for some time, for the ground
+was littered with heaps of the remains in the form of white bones that
+had been crushed by opossums and other nocturnal prowlers.
+
+The depressing sight and the stench made David avoid these places by
+wide detours whenever possible.
+
+It seemed as if the trail ran on interminably, winding between the
+lagoons and forest islands, traversing the highest, dryest places of the
+open country, but always leading on and on. If the ranch were in the
+neighborhood, there should be some indications of it. But so far neither
+horses nor cattle, smoke nor houses could be seen.
+
+David was beginning to wonder if he might not have taken some branch of
+the original trail that was simply taking him deeper and deeper into the
+wilderness. He stopped for a moment to consider what best had be done.
+As he scanned the country his eyes caught sight of moving objects in the
+distance and a first glimpse convinced him that they were horsemen. He
+could have shouted for joy, for now it was but a matter of minutes until
+they should see him and then they would soon take him to the ranch. It
+never occurred to him that the riders might not want to see him or that
+they would refuse to help him if they could not avoid him, and that,
+too, in spite of the things he had been told he was to expect from the
+owner of Las Palmas. Just beyond, the ground was more open; he decided
+to go there and wave his hat to attract the attention of the men.
+
+As he started through the thick grass a warning bellow from directly in
+front stopped him in his tracks; he looked in the direction from which
+the sound had come, but could see nothing. A moment later a second
+bellow, more like a roar, reached his ears and at the same time he
+caught sight of a long, waving object like the head and neck of a great
+snake. Before he had time for action of any kind a huge, grayish body
+leaped out of the grass and charged. It was a rhea or South America
+ostrich. Onward it came with lowered head, hissing as it sped over the
+ground, the short wings drooping and feathers ruffled in a terrifying
+manner. It was upon David in a few seconds. The attack had been so
+sudden that he had not had time to grasp his revolver; as the great bird
+lunged at him he stepped aside and caught the outstretched neck in his
+hands. That action, unexpected as it was new to the bird, bewildered it
+and it stopped. However, the surprise of the reception lasted but a
+moment.
+
+David clung desperately to the creature’s neck. Back and forth they
+struggled, the bird striking with its huge feet, beating with its wings
+and bellowing in its frantic efforts to break the man’s hold.
+
+The outcome of the struggle depended upon endurance. Sooner or later one
+of the two must give out, and for a time it was impossible to guess
+which would be that one. The bird was first to show signs of succumbing
+to the strain. Its struggles grew weaker and finally they ceased
+altogether, much to David’s relief, for he too was on the verge of
+exhaustion.
+
+When the rhea was quiet he relaxed his grasp. Instantly it again became
+charged with life. It gave a powerful wrench and the thick neck slipped
+from his aching fingers. But instead of renewing the attack, the bird
+seemed to have but one thought, but one desire, and that was to leave
+the locality as quickly as possible. It turned and fled in a series of
+long strides, its head held high, wings stretched out like sails, and
+feet that moved so rapidly the eye could not follow them in their
+prodigious leaps.
+
+The supposed horsemen had come nearer all the while and David now saw
+that they were a flock of the ostriches, which his attacker joined, when
+the entire company turned and soon disappeared in the distance.
+
+David went to the spot where he had first sighted the bird. To his
+delight he found a mound of huge eggs. They were of an oval shape,
+creamy white color, glossy, and so large he could not span one with his
+fingers. There were twenty of them, neatly arranged in a slight hollow
+scooped in the ground. He could not take them with him, of course, on
+account of their great weight and size, but thinking that he might have
+need of them at some time in the near future he tore a strip of cloth
+from his trousers--rent by the bird’s sharp claws during the
+struggle--and tied it to the highest reed near the nest, to serve as a
+marker for the spot.
+
+Another half hour’s walk under the broiling sun and the end of the trail
+was in sight. There it was at last, but it looked nothing like the
+ranch-house David had pictured. Instead of the long, low, rambling
+building he had expected to find, with its corrals, and groups of
+saddled horses standing dejectedly under the shade trees, there was a
+ramshackle structure built of bamboo poles and covered with a thatched
+roof. A dozen or so smaller huts were scattered about the immediate
+vicinity. Here and there grew a cluster of tall, graceful palm trees;
+that was why the place was called Las Palmas.
+
+The surrounding country did not appear very inviting. It looked forsaken
+and, under the hot sun, almost desolate.
+
+David drew a deep breath and kept on his way. Perhaps the new life he
+had chosen was not going to be so interesting as he had imagined; but he
+would keep on just the same. This was no time for regrets. He must
+stick by his determination to see the thing through.
+
+As he approached the largest house a lone dog darted out from some place
+of concealment, growling and bristling; he called to it in a friendly
+manner, but it bared its teeth and slunk away. A man, obviously a
+native, came to the doorway of the nearest hut and stared at the
+stranger in open astonishment. David started toward him; the man gave
+him a malicious look and faded from view in the darkened interior of the
+hut.
+
+“Not a very inviting atmosphere around the place,” thought David. “But
+I’ll walk right into the big house as if I owned it and see what
+happens.”
+
+On the threshold he stopped, however, and knocked. There was no response
+from within, but, hearing the sound of voices in back of him, he turned
+quickly to see who was responsible for it. A small group of natives
+stood in the doorway of each hovel, or in front of it, eyeing him in a
+curious manner.
+
+“Enter!” one of them called to him. “The _patron_ is inside.”
+
+David heeded this advice and walked in. He found himself in a long, low
+room with a hard-packed earth floor. A number of benches lined the walls
+and at one end were a wooden table and a chair. A man of burly
+appearance sat on the chair; his back was turned toward the doorway so
+that David could not see his face, but the neck was dark brown--David
+did not know whether the color was that of a native or caused by the hot
+sun. His clothes--a tan silk shirt and khaki-colored riding breeches,
+with tall boots and huge spurs--were neat and not unattractive.
+
+The youth saw that much during the minute he waited respectfully just
+inside the room. Then, as the man paid no attention to him, he took a
+few steps forward.
+
+“Didn’t I tell you to keep out of here?” The man’s voice sounded like a
+roar, but still he did not look up from the papers before him. “Wait
+just a minute--then I’ll kick you out, so you will remember it the next
+time.”
+
+The man stood up and turned quickly.
+
+“Well, for the--” he exploded and stopped short in apparent surprise.
+His face was tanned also and smooth, and his eyes were blue. But for the
+fierce scowl he wore he would have been a most amiable-looking sort of a
+person.
+
+“Who are you? Where did you come from? How did you get here? What do you
+want?”
+
+The questions were hurled in such rapid succession that David was
+bewildered.
+
+“I am Jones,” he said, after an instant’s hesitation, and he tried to
+smile.
+
+“Jones? Jones who?”
+
+“David Jones. You are expecting me.”
+
+“Boy, you must be crazy. I am not expecting anybody”--with a sneer--“and
+furthermore, if I find out who brought you here I’ll break his neck.”
+
+“You don’t understand--” David began, but the other interrupted him.
+
+“Don’t you tell me I don’t know my own business,” he snapped.
+
+“Pardon me. I did not intend to be rude. But I understood that my father
+and you were old friends and that he had made arrangements for my coming
+here. He sent several cables----”
+
+“Oh, that’s it, is it? Just because he happened to know me he thinks he
+can send his lazy, shiftless son to me to look after. What does he think
+this is, a kindergarten? What I want is men, real men--not babies. What
+do you know, what can you do? Nothing.”
+
+David’s first feeling of consternation was giving way; also, he felt
+decidedly less important than he had when telling of his plans just
+before sailing, and on the steamer. What did he know after all? What had
+he ever accomplished? Now that he was actually face to face with the
+rugged type of man he had held up as his ideal, he felt very small
+indeed.
+
+“You are right,” he said meekly. “I don’t amount to much. I knew it, and
+that is why I wanted to get away to a place where I had to depend on
+myself and would have the chance to make good under trying conditions.”
+
+“You picked out the poorest place in the world. Don’t lie to me; you
+thought you could come here as Mr. David Jones, son of the big New York
+business man, and that I would let you hang around as an ornament, wear
+fancy cow-boy clothes, so you could send pictures to your friends at
+home to admire; and that I would pay you a big salary for the honor of
+having you here. Well, you guessed wrong.”
+
+“I didn’t think of any of those things. I don’t want a cent until I
+honestly earn it. All I expect is a chance to do the things I have
+always wanted to do. My father did not send me away to get rid of me; I
+had a hard time to get him to let me come here.”
+
+The ranchman seemed to relent a little and, encouraged, David told him
+all, including his difficulties at Manaos and how he had finally
+succeeded in reaching the ranch on the trader’s boat.
+
+“You did have tough luck all around,” Rice commented, “but if I let you
+stay, it would only grow worse. Everything here has to be done by men
+who know their work; we haven’t time to be teachers. So you can rest up
+a bit; then I’ll send you back down the river. And that settles it.”
+
+A loud knock sounded on the door-frame.
+
+“Come in,” Rice called, and into the room stepped a tall, lean man,
+dressed in a blue cotton shirt and fringed, leather breeches. He had a
+cruel, swarthy face and small, restless eyes.
+
+“Now what?” his employer asked.
+
+“The launch is back from the Iguari; there has been more trouble with
+the Indians.” He cast a meaning look at David.
+
+“I’ll go outside,” David quickly said.
+
+“No!” Rice bellowed. “You will stay right here until I tell you to go.”
+
+David stopped and quickly turned to face the two.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE BEAST
+
+
+“Now, what’s the trouble?” Rice demanded in an angry voice.
+
+“It’s the Indians, mostly,” the foreman replied, shifting his feet
+uneasily. “They fight us every step of the way, when we get a few miles
+from the camp.”
+
+“Why don’t you fight back--kill them all. That’s the only way to handle
+the savages.”
+
+“We do, but there are so many of them that there are always others to
+take the places of the ones we kill. They seem to spring up like weeds,
+right out of the ground.”
+
+“Well? Go on! What else?”
+
+“The snakes are worse than ever this year.”
+
+“So you are afraid of snakes, too!” Rice said with a sneer. “You are a
+fine person to be entrusted with the management of the rubber camp. If
+you can’t do better than that, I’ll kick you out and put one of the
+half-breeds in your place. At least, they are not cowards.”
+
+“I’m not afraid of the snakes myself, but when one or more of the men
+are bitten and die each day, it is not long before they all get scared
+and want to quit. And besides, every one we lose leaves one man less to
+collect rubber.”
+
+“Is it really as bad as that?” Apparently Rice had underestimated the
+seriousness of the situation.
+
+“Oh, worse. It was bad enough in ordinary times, but this year the
+drought is driving all the snakes to the river. They like the huts of
+the men to use as hiding places, and are always dropping down out of the
+thatched roofs or crawling over the floor at night; they even get into
+the hammocks. I have never seen anything like it. Mariano found a
+twenty-foot anaconda in his hammock the night before we left; that’s why
+no one has seen Mariano since--he left camp in such a hurry he did not
+even take his clothes.”
+
+“Snakes or no snakes, the rubber crop must be gathered.” Rice seemed to
+have made up his mind and spoke with an air of finality. “Soon the rains
+will be here and then the season will be over. You must get more men and
+try it again; we must have the rubber even if you lose every single man
+in the end.”
+
+“We can fight against the Indians and the snakes,” the foreman ventured,
+timidly, “but there is one thing we can’t overcome and that is the
+fever. There never was so much of it as this year--on account of the
+drought, they say. Most of the men who escaped the other two plagues are
+too sick to work.”
+
+“Don’t tell me any more!” Rice thundered. “I’ve got troubles of my own.
+It’s up to you to harvest that rubber, so go do it. You are the foreman.
+Do anything you want to. Take every soul on the place; it don’t matter
+if none gets back alive, just so you bring back the rubber. Now, get out
+and do something.”
+
+The foreman did not wait to hear more. He quickly made for the door and
+disappeared. David was alone again with the viper.
+
+He was speechless with amazement at the things he had just heard. Had he
+been given his choice now, it is but natural that the first impulse
+would have been to start for home as soon as possible. But he was not
+asked to make known his desires.
+
+“I’ve changed my mind about you,” Rice bellowed. “You will stay. You’ll
+make one more hand to get that rubber crop in before the rains
+start--even if you’re nothing but a boy. Can you swim?”
+
+“Yes,” David answered meekly.
+
+“Can you ride a horse?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“Can you throw a rope?”
+
+“No. I never tried, but I can learn.”
+
+“You are a fine one to come to a ranch--expecting to run it. I ought to
+chase you out, and I would if I didn’t need you so badly. The rubber
+camp will soon bring out the kind of stuff you’re made of. But just
+remember this; we won’t tolerate any smart ideas or new notions. You
+don’t know anything and you’ll do exactly as you are told. You are not
+Mr. Jones’ son so long as you stay around here. Your official name is
+Nobody, and that’s what I’ll call you. You are right down on the bottom
+and you’ll stick there, too, if I am any judge of character. Now go, and
+tell Carlos where you hid your pack, so he can send for it. He’ll fix
+you up with what you need, and remember, he’s your boss. Do whatever he
+says and if he thinks you worth the trouble, he’ll take you up-river.
+Get out just as fast as you can and don’t bother me again.”
+
+David was too bewildered to resent anything that had been said to him.
+It had all come like a thunderbolt, suddenly, unexpected and terrible.
+He merely stammered “Yes, Sir,” and hastily departed. Outside the door
+he drew a deep breath of relief. What a frightful character Rice was! He
+had not the slightest regard for life. No wonder they called him the
+viper, but David could not think of any creature that was so repulsive
+to him as this man, unless possibly it was a hyena.
+
+How could his father have sent him to such a place? Then the truth
+occurred to him. He had not been sent. He had insisted on having his
+way. If he had known the truth; if only he had listened to the advice of
+others who knew the world better than he, and----. But, no! He dared not
+think such thoughts. He had gone this far and there must be no quitting.
+He would see the thing through. Somehow, some way, matters would
+straighten themselves out and if they didn’t he would force them to.
+
+Seeing the foreman near one of the larger huts, David went toward him
+unaware that the eyes of the beast were following his every movement.
+The look of cruelty had gone from the eyes and a smile was on his
+face--a smile partly of amusement and partly of pity, as he looked at
+the forlorn figure approaching the burly Don Carlos.
+
+“Hm!” he chuckled. “He’s showing the right stuff, so far. Getting here
+the way he did wasn’t easy. I didn’t think he could do it. I can’t help
+but admire him and if he don’t make good, I’ll be disappointed.”
+
+“Mr. Rice sent me to you,” David addressed the foreman. “I guess I am to
+go with your outfit.”
+
+“What, you?” sarcastically. “You wouldn’t be good for anything except to
+cook for the _mozos_ or some such work.”
+
+“All right. You are the boss.”
+
+Evidently the foreman was not prepared for such a reply and for a moment
+he was at a loss as to what to say.
+
+“Very well,” he said finally. “If that is the way you feel about it, I
+guess we can use you. But I warn you in advance that you’ll have a hard
+time of it. You’ll be the only white man; the others are Indians and
+Mozos. They have to work hard and put up with anything, and so will
+you.”
+
+“I am not asking any favors. I’ll do the best I can.”
+
+“Come along then. I’ll show you where you’ll live while we are here.
+Where is your pack?” the foreman asked.
+
+David told him where he had hidden it.
+
+“I’ll send for it. There’s a short cut you don’t know so it’ll be easier
+for one of the men to get it.”
+
+They entered one of the shacks, the interior of which was larger than
+the outside indicated. Stout poles set into the ground and covered with
+a veneer of grass formed the walls; the roof was made of palm leaves.
+The floor was hard-packed earth. A number of hammocks had been swung
+between the poles and small, wooden chests and bags of various kinds
+lined the walls. Light was admitted through one window opening and the
+doorway. The place was gloomy and stuffy and David recoiled at sight of
+his quarters, but said nothing.
+
+“Put up your hammock in the best place you can find,” the foreman said.
+“If you have none draw one from the supply house. You’ll have to sign a
+receipt for it, and for anything else you get and it will be charged to
+your account. That’s the way things are issued here.”
+
+By nightfall the newcomer had been installed in his new quarters. His
+pack had arrived and he had drawn a number of things he needed from the
+supply house. There had also been the first meal at the ranch mess
+shack--chunks of beef roasted on sticks before a wood fire, boiled beans
+with farinha and coffee. It was the first food David had had since early
+morning, and it seemed wonderful to him.
+
+After supper the men gathered in their huts and played guitars, sang
+songs and smoked. They did not enter their hammocks until a late hour
+and even then they conversed in loud voices for some hours longer.
+
+It was uncomfortably warm under the mosquito netting, but the humming of
+the insects just outside the cloth dissuaded David from removing it.
+Better suffer the heat than permit the mosquitoes to feast on him and
+perhaps inoculate him with the germs of the dread malarial fever of
+which he had heard and read so much.
+
+The night came to an end somehow and again David was forcibly reminded
+of his surroundings by the babble of voices around him for an hour
+before their owners slid from their hammocks.
+
+That day was a busy one. He spent the first part of it getting
+acquainted as best he could with the men about him who would be his
+constant companions. They were a ragged, unkempt crowd of all shades
+from yellow, through brown, to black and at first they regarded him with
+suspicion. But after he had assured them that he was to be one of them
+and later distributed a generous supply of tobacco, they regarded him in
+a more favorable light and one or two called him _camarada_ which word
+they used in addressing one another.
+
+However, they seemed unable to comprehend why a white man should be
+relegated to their lowly, unhappy station. That situation was new to
+them and time alone would accustom them to it.
+
+One of the group, Miguel by name, however, did not hesitate to show open
+resentment toward what he considered an intrusion by a stranger who was
+not of their kind. He was of heavier build than the others, apparently
+with Indian blood in his veins and occupied the place of leader of the
+party. When they sang he announced the songs; he led the conversation
+and talked in the loudest voice; and when they worked, he selected the
+easiest tasks for himself.
+
+In David he saw a possible rival; but he had met similar situations
+before and he knew of various ways of handling them.
+
+David, after asking permission of the foreman, drew more things from the
+keeper of supplies. Among them was a rope, for he must become
+proficient in its use in roping cattle upon his return from the rubber
+camp. His object was, of course, to learn thoroughly the ranching
+business; all other things were but a means toward that end.
+
+Asking questions judiciously, David learned many things. The men told
+him that there were cattle on the place--many of them, but at the
+present time they were far away roaming the grasslands and attended only
+by a few rangers who would head the roving bands back to the ranch with
+the coming of the rainy season when grass would be abundant in the
+country nearby. And that he had reached the place by an old, seldom used
+trail; the new one was only a score of yards long. The launches came up
+a small creek that flowed almost past the doors of the ranch houses.
+They all agreed that the rubber camp was an extremely unattractive place
+and about Rice, owner of the place, they refused to talk.
+
+Preparations for the departure were being made in a leisurely manner.
+True, there was need of haste, for the dry season would not last
+forever. Doing things slowly was, however, typical of the country. The
+men simply could not be hurried beyond a given point. Probably the
+climate was to blame for the fact that the people did not possess the
+energy and initiative of those of a more northern latitude.
+
+There were bales of _charque_ or dried, salt beef that looked like
+bundles of leather scraps; bags of beans, coffee and brown sugar; and
+many bags of farinha. In the course of his inspection of the
+settlement, David had the opportunity to see how the latter was made.
+
+One whole hut was given over to the manufacture of the coarse meal, and
+women exclusively were engaged in the work. Yucas, which were tubers
+like very large potatoes, were being brought from the plantation some
+distance away. The women carried the heavy burdens on their heads,
+balancing them without using their hands to steady them. Others took
+them, pared and grated them; for the latter process they had a board on
+which small, sharp stones had been glued. The juice was then extracted
+by filling long, tubular baskets with the mash and suspending them from
+the ceiling; a heavy stone was tied to the bottom of the filled baskets.
+The weight pulled the baskets downward, contracting them and thus
+expressing the juice from the pulp. This liquid was caught in wooden
+containers and allowed to ferment after which it was used as a beverage.
+
+After the greater part of the moisture had been removed the contents of
+the baskets were emptied into a vat; they were taken from this as needed
+and placed into shallow pans over low fires. The women stirred the
+steaming masses constantly with long-handled paddles until they had
+thoroughly dried, when the particles separated into a coarse meal. That
+was the finished product--called farinha.
+
+The next day they began loading the launch. David joined the line of
+mozos and carried his share of the bales and bags. Most of them were
+very heavy, so it was hard work and the perspiration ran in streams
+down his bare back. But he stuck to the task without complaint or
+comment.
+
+On his return from one of the trips to the launch David found Rice
+standing near the passing file of men, surveying them with an appraising
+eye.
+
+“Good morning,” he said, halting.
+
+“What?” The voice that replied was filled with sudden anger. “Whining
+already? Want to go home? I expected it!”
+
+“Why,” David started in surprise. “I only said good morning.”
+
+“Don’t good morning me. And don’t say anything else, either. You are not
+to talk to me unless I speak first--no peon is allowed to.”
+
+“Very well.”
+
+“The foreman is your boss; you are nobody--with a little n. When I have
+anything to say to you I’ll let you know pretty quick; and you keep your
+mouth shut. Now move on.”
+
+David moved on without further urging. He felt as if somebody had given
+him a sound thrashing, but after all, what could he expect from the
+beast? He had agreed to start at the bottom although he had not known
+how low that bottom might be but he expected no favors--wanted none. He
+would show them that he could stand on his own feet without their help
+and even in spite of anything they might do; time alone would tell the
+story.
+
+When night came he was so tired that he sought his hammock right after
+supper. Neither the loud voices of the mozos nor the uncomfortable
+position he was forced to assume on account of the short stretch of the
+ropes kept him awake. For the first time in several nights he slept
+soundly, and it seemed but a moment when someone called them all to
+tumble out in a hurry to prepare for the journey up the river.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+THE ASCENT OF THE UPPER AMAZON
+
+
+Day was just breaking when the launch nosed her way out into the little
+stream. Overhead, the leaf-covered branches of the trees that lined the
+water-course met to form a delicate tracery of black against the graying
+sky.
+
+Birds raised their voices, clear and cheery in the checkered canopy and
+others responded in drowsy, listless whispers from the dark walls on
+either side.
+
+Where the creek was narrowest or where the foliage was so dense as
+completely to obscure the sky, the water seemed to melt away into deep
+pools of blackness; but the launch glided on and on without plunging
+abruptly into some unseen abyss, although the muffled throb of the
+engine always seemed fainter in the heavier gloom as if in deference to
+the all-pervading spirit of darkness.
+
+Once there was a sudden crashing in the heavy undergrowth followed by
+the splash of a heavy body in the water; then silence for a short
+interval. Now the sequence was reversed. There was first a splashing in
+the water and then the crashing of brush--on the opposite side of the
+stream. A tapir, alarmed by the boat, had sought refuge in the water
+only to discover that the cause of its terror was directly in its path.
+Therefore it had dived and swum swiftly beneath the surface and then,
+emerging, lost no time in regaining the land.
+
+When the light grew somewhat stronger gaunt forms appeared between the
+water and the fretwork overhead. They always sprang out of the deepest
+shadows and melted into the distance as silent as spectres and as devoid
+of clews as to their identity. But finally, when one of them emitted a
+hoarse croak of fright as the launch rounded a bend and brushed the
+vegetation in which the creature had been concealed, David knew that it
+was a heron.
+
+The occasional chorus of squawks that came from high above belonged to
+flocks of macaws on their way to some fruiting tree for an early
+breakfast.
+
+By the time the sun rose the launch had entered the main river where the
+craft hugged the shore in order to avoid the strong current further out.
+There now being less danger of collisions they moved at a faster rate of
+speed. David could not but feel how different this mode of travel was
+from the slow, painful progress made by the batalao when he came up this
+same river to the ranch.
+
+The Solimoes was broad, majestic and awe-inspiring. Frequently they were
+caught in swift eddies near the bank, where the launch had to fight for
+each inch of the way; and occasionally they had to make detours far out
+into the river to avoid treacherous sand bars covered with only a few
+inches of water. The latter were in great contrast to other parts of
+the river where the depth was immense.
+
+One such place was pointed out by the men. The spot was marked by a keg
+buoy; one of the steamers plying on the Upper Amazon had gone down there
+shortly before with nearly all hands. The boat had been located on the
+bottom, two hundred and ninety feet down. Divers could not descend to
+that great depth and even if they could they would not on account of the
+aquatic monsters that lurked far beneath the surface.
+
+At Palomas, a small station maintained from the ranch, they stopped to
+replenish their supply of gasoline. Carrying the cases to the launch and
+storing them took several hours and as it was late in the afternoon when
+the work was finished it was decided to remain at anchor until the next
+morning.
+
+David worked with the others, carrying the heavy tins on his shoulder
+until it seemed the sharp corners had cut furrows in the flesh; and,
+while some of the others did a good deal of complaining, he said
+nothing.
+
+After the task had been completed he stripped for a swim--the first in
+days. One of the men observed his action and hastened to caution him
+against entering the river on account of the great numbers of crocodiles
+and cannibal fishes that congregated at this particular spot and would
+make short work of anyone foolhardy enough to enter the water. However,
+there was a place farther up where one could swim in safety.
+
+Several others now came to join them and together they went to a little
+bay where a stockade of stout poles had been driven into the bottom
+forming an enclosure that barred the entrance of the savage creatures
+inhabiting the river.
+
+So far, the peons, while not discourteous, had persisted in their
+aloofness toward David, and he could not but feel that as yet they had
+not accepted him as one of their number. He wanted to overcome that
+feeling on their part; he was compelled to share their labors and it was
+but natural that he wanted to share their confidences also. The tobacco
+he had given them in the hut at the ranch, and on several occasions
+after that, had helped break down the barrier between them. But for the
+greater part, they had accepted it merely as a present from someone
+financially able and by nature generous enough to give it. Anyone in
+like circumstances could do that. It would require some feat of physical
+prowess and courage to establish the stranger deeply in their
+estimation. Not until he had demonstrated such traits to their entire
+satisfaction would the gulf between them be closed.
+
+After ascertaining the depth of the water, David began to dive off the
+high bank, from numerous positions, and before he realized it, the men
+had stopped swimming and had formed a semi-circle to watch. Then came
+exclamations of surprise and approbation as he plunged, again and again,
+into the water.
+
+“Bravo,” they shouted as he reappeared after each splash.
+
+“It’s nothing,” David answered with a happy smile. “Come along and I’ll
+show you how to do it.”
+
+But the men did not follow him; the bank was too high, they said.
+Therefore, Jones showed them various strokes in swimming and in this
+they all joined, vieing with one another in attempts to master the
+lesson and thereby win the _muito bom_ of approval from the master.
+
+When they returned to the launch the men who had been to swim told the
+others what had occurred and were loud in their praise of their new
+companion.
+
+Everyone listened interestedly except Miguel, their self-appointed
+leader.
+
+“Who couldn’t swim inside the stockade?” he asked derisively.
+
+“It wasn’t that. We all swam, but it was the ways he did it. And you
+should have seen him dive from the top of the bank, and you know how
+high that is.”
+
+“All it takes to do that is practice,” Miguel said, with an air of
+pouring out wisdom to the ignorant. “Some day we will see if this Nobody
+is so wonderful in the water. I will go into the river--” he paused so
+that they might appreciate the full weight of his words, “into the
+river, I said, where there is no stockade, or into a lagoon full of
+piranhas and crocodiles. See if he will follow me.”
+
+At first David said nothing. But the men were looking at him expectantly
+and a few were showing disappointment in their faces.
+
+“All right,” he answered slowly. “Let me know when you are ready. I am
+not trying to show off but I can certainly do anything you can.”
+
+The men now looked at Miguel. He moved uneasily. His bluff had been
+called, much to his dismay. But he held his ground.
+
+“I will let you know” he said, “and everybody else, too, so they can see
+just how brave you are and what a good swimmer you are. You said you
+would follow me; I have witnesses.”
+
+“Yes. I said that. I expect you to make good--I have witnesses, too.”
+
+Just then the cook called the men for the evening meal, so taking their
+bowls and spoons they went to the launch for their dole of rice and
+beef.
+
+In the days that followed, David gave demonstrations and lessons in
+swimming and diving so often as the opportunity presented itself; and,
+under his instruction a number of the party soon became adepts at
+performing the feats they had admired so greatly. In return, they showed
+him how to handle the lasso and he lost no chance to practice with it,
+using stumps and snags for targets and sometimes one of the men who
+would run past, inviting the entangling coils of the rope.
+
+Miguel made no further mention of his challenge and David was careful
+not to remind him of it. It was not until several weeks later that the
+matter again came up, with consequences as unexpected as they were
+startling.
+
+For the present David was fully occupied with the venture in hand. There
+were a hundred things he wanted to learn and the questions he asked were
+many. The men, however, were reluctant to talk on most subjects and he
+finally came to the conclusion that their reticence was the result
+either of ignorance or of orders from higher up.
+
+They were glad enough to help him with his study of their language--so
+far as they themselves knew it; to tell him about the river or the
+animals; and of the methods employed in collecting and preparing the
+rubber latex. But when he asked about Rice, the ranch, or kindred things
+they remained ominously silent.
+
+After a while David did not mention these subjects again. It was too
+evident that the men did not want to discuss them.
+
+A week later they entered a river that joined the Solimoes from the
+west. It was a small stream compared with the one into which it
+emptied--not over a few hundred yards in width. At least, the channel
+they had entered was narrow and the water was clear and swift so that
+the launch made slow progress. When David looked down at the water
+speeding past them it seemed that they must be moving along at a furious
+rate; when he looked at the trees on the bank he knew that they were
+barely making any headway. It took several hours for them to battle
+their way up the turbulent stretch of rapids.
+
+“That is an island,” said one of the men, pointing to the land on their
+right. “This channel is bad enough--especially when the water is low.
+But you should see the branch on the other side of the island. There is
+a drop there several meters high and no boat can pass up or down it.”
+
+David was not greatly impressed by these words. He did not recall them
+even later when he found himself suddenly at the brink of that very
+drop.
+
+The country rapidly became wilder in appearance. Perhaps it only seemed
+so because the stream was so narrow that they had a continuous close
+view of both banks and the heavy growth that clothed them.
+
+The launch seemed strangely out of place in the dreary, primeval waste
+of jungle and hurrying water. Men had come and gone before on the river;
+and Indians and beasts lived in the green fortresses on either side. But
+there was no sign of them, no trace of their presence or existence. Only
+once was there evidence that others besides themselves were stirring on
+the now silent, undemonstrative river.
+
+They had just rounded a sharp bend which had obstructed their view
+up-stream. Ahead of them and not more than two hundred yards distant was
+another abrupt bend. The stern of a dugout canoe was just disappearing
+around it. They could not see the occupants of the craft, but the
+widening circles of ripples on the water showed that a number of paddles
+had been dipped deep to propel the canoe at great speed.
+
+They reached the spot soon after. Ahead of them was a clear stretch of
+water fully a mile long. It was not possible that the Indians could have
+covered that distance while the launch, travelling much faster, was
+traversing the very short distance that had separated them. But the
+dugout was not in sight. There was not a trace of it--not even a ripple
+on the water to tell where it had gone. It had vanished completely.
+
+The river glided on as smoothly and as silently as before with the
+secret of the mysterious craft safely locked in its yellow flood.
+
+“The guns,” the captain said quietly as they steered toward the middle
+of the stream.
+
+The men who had weapons loaded them and held them ready for instant
+action. They scanned the banks as they sped along, but saw no signs of
+the canoe. There were no creeks or inlets in which it could have been
+hidden.
+
+“Where did it get to?” David asked in astonishment.
+
+“Who knows?” one of the men answered. “That is one of the mysterious
+things the Indians do that cannot be explained. One minute you see them,
+the next they are gone. And the minute you forget all about them a
+shower of arrows comes rattling around your head.”
+
+“I can’t understand it. I should think it would get on your nerves,”
+David commented with a shudder.
+
+“It does. Who wouldn’t be upset when he knows there are silent, tricky
+shadows all around him that appear and fade away at will. You’ll
+understand it better when you have been in the country longer.”
+
+“I don’t feel comfortable. It doesn’t seem natural.”
+
+“I tell you these Indians are _diablos_. They are not human. That’s why
+we are no match for them. You’ll see!”
+
+The river grew somewhat narrower as they advanced up-stream. Also the
+water was still falling, the dry season not having reached its height.
+In a few weeks it would be at its lowest stage; then it would remain
+stationary for some time, until the coming of the rains when it always
+rose rapidly until the stream was converted into a roaring flood.
+
+The receding water left the ledges of rock that cropped out of the river
+bank exposed above the surface--some of them many feet up, others
+sloping gently into the stream. All of them were covered with mud which
+had not dried on the more recently exposed ones.
+
+They came suddenly upon such a table-like expanse glistening in the
+bright sunlight. On it were dark masses that moved. The distance
+separating them was at first too great for David to tell just what the
+objects were, but the men saw them before long and raised a shout of
+joy.
+
+“Meat, meat!” they said. “Now we will have fresh meat to eat.”
+
+“What are they, turtles?” David asked, then answered his own question.
+“They can’t be. Look at the bright colors.”
+
+“They are birds,” someone said. “All kinds of parrots.”
+
+“Parrots? What are they doing in the mud?”
+
+“Eating it, of course.”
+
+“And you expect me to believe that? There are a good many things I don’t
+know about your country, but I do know that parrots don’t eat mud.”
+
+“It’s the truth”; it was Miguel who strove to show his superior
+knowledge. “They come each year when the water is low and gorge
+themselves on the fresh mud. There is salt or something of that kind in
+it and they come to get that.”
+
+They were now near enough to the ledge so that a good view of the birds
+could be had. There were large groups of them that must have totaled
+thousands of individuals. Many different species were abundantly
+represented. There were red and blue macaws of great size; large green
+parrots with yellow heads; parrokeets no larger than an English sparrow;
+and many of intermediate dimensions. Almost every hue of the rainbow
+could be seen in the assortment. But standing out from the motley array
+was a group of the magnificent hyacinthine macaws.
+
+Much to the surprise of David the birds were not alarmed upon the
+approach of the launch. Ordinarily so wary, they paid not the slightest
+attention to the oncoming, noisy craft, but continued delving deeply
+into the mire with their hooked beaks.
+
+“The mud makes them stupid,” they explained when he asked the reason for
+the seeming indifference, “or else they get drunk on it. Anyway, they
+can’t fly away. That’s why we are going to have all the fresh meat we
+can eat for a few days.”
+
+When the launch reached the ledge the men leaped ashore with poles in
+their hands and clambered into the midst of the groups of birds. A few
+took wing, circled once or twice and then came back to their old places;
+a number of others ran about aimlessly, obviously bewildered, but unable
+to seek safety in flight. The vast majority, however, did not notice the
+men, who began clubbing them with their poles.
+
+David revolted at the sight, but was powerless to prevent the slaughter,
+in which, however, he took no part.
+
+“I’m going to have one for a pet, though,” he thought, “one of the big
+blue ones.”
+
+He threw his coat over a hyacinthine macaw and carried it back to the
+launch where he deposited it on the deck. When he removed the covering
+the bird struggled to its feet and stood blinking at him in a dazed
+manner.
+
+How wonderful it was! It measured nearly four feet from the tip of its
+hooked beak to the end of its tail, and was of a uniform deep blue
+color. The bill was of enormous proportions, fully three inches deep,
+the upper mandible ending in a sharp, hooked point, the lower fitting
+into it like a keen-edged scoop. He had not imagined that such a
+creature existed.
+
+Soon the men came back laden with their victims. They made several trips
+back and forth to gather up all the birds they had killed, but at last
+the task was completed and a high heap lay on the deck. Fortunately,
+large numbers of survivors still remained on the ledge, eating as
+unconcernedly as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.
+
+When the men saw what David had done they roared with laughter.
+
+“Wait until it wakes up,” one said. “It will make things hot for you.
+You’ll never manage it.”
+
+“I’m going to tie it,” David explained. “Here is a string that I bet
+will hold it.”
+
+At this they laughed louder than before.
+
+“Better use this wire,” one suggested, handing him one of the kind used
+in binding the bales of dried beef, and he accepted it, fastening one
+end to one of the bird’s legs and the other to the rail.
+
+“Now, I guess you’ll stay a while,” David commented. “I’m going to tame
+you and take you back home with me.”
+
+The remainder of the day was spent plucking and dressing the parrots and
+that night they ate quantities of them that had been boiled first and
+then roasted. The flesh was of excellent flavor, though many of the
+birds were tough in the extreme. However, they were a most welcome
+change from the everlasting dried beef and there were enough left for
+several days to come.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+IN THE RUBBER FOREST
+
+
+The rubber camp was a dismal place. The clusters of huts comprising the
+settlement stood in the deep shade cast by gigantic trees that grew
+close together; most of them were little more than shelters--peaked
+roofs on poles, and were of the flimsiest possible construction. The
+palm-leaf thatch was held in place by poles laid across it short
+distances apart, instead of being tied with strips of bark or creepers.
+However, the makeshift construction was entirely practicable as the
+hovels had to be replaced each year and they served their purpose well
+for one short season.
+
+The paths that had been worn between the huts were muddy and a number of
+lean pigs wallowed in them. The latter were the camp scavengers and were
+also relied upon to destroy scorpions, tarantulas and other obnoxious
+creatures that ventured near the human habitations.
+
+The smokehouses in which the rubber later was prepared, after it had
+been brought in from the forest, stood apart from the huts occupied as
+living quarters by the men. These had walls that enclosed them, but
+light filtered into the interior through the thin layer of leaves that
+extended from the roof to the ground. The earth floors were littered
+with an array of large tin cones, pails, bowls of various sizes, wooden
+paddles and heaps of the palm nuts burned to produce the acrid smoke
+needed to congeal the rubber milk. There were also numerous little
+fireplaces built of stones. David was to learn the use of all these
+utensils very soon.
+
+Several long dug-out canoes were tied up at the bank. They were a
+precautionary measure. If the water in the river should rise suddenly,
+as it sometimes did, the men could take to the boats as the whole region
+would soon be inundated.
+
+They unloaded the launch and carried the supplies to the storehouse.
+Their personal effects were taken to those huts having sufficient space
+for their hammocks. David returned to the boat just in time to see a
+large bird winging its way up the river.
+
+“There goes your pet,” one of the men greeted him. “I told you so.”
+
+The wire had been bitten in two as if it had been a thread.
+
+“Well, if it’s like that, I’m glad it’s gone,” David said, but he was in
+reality somewhat sorry to lose his prize.
+
+“You can’t keep them,” the man continued. “They bite or gnaw their way
+out of anything and if you try to be friendly they bite your fingers
+off.”
+
+The bird had swerved in its flight and with raucous screams disappeared
+over the tree-tops.
+
+Nothing was seen of the men engaged in the rubber harvest, for they were
+in the forest collecting the previous night’s flow of sap. Only two
+Brazilians, the cook and his helper, were on duty at the camp, and they
+kept up a continuous bombardment of questions of the newcomers, most of
+which concerned David, but he did not try to understand what was being
+said.
+
+The Indians and Brazilians arrived from the forest shortly before noon
+and looked at the white man in astonishment. The Indians had their
+abodes apart from the others and did not mingle with the Brazilians;
+most of them had their entire families with them and all helped with the
+work in hand.
+
+David was awakened early the following morning. Daylight had not yet
+penetrated into the jungle, but by the time coffee had been prepared,
+each man going to the cook shack with his cup for his share, the gray
+light was filtering through the branches overhead. The Indians remained
+near their hovels and prepared their own food over small fires.
+
+“Come with me!” The speaker was one of the men who had come on the
+launch, and his words were directed at David.
+
+“Here is your outfit. I will start you on a route and tell you all you
+have to know,” he continued. “Tomorrow and every day after that you’ll
+be alone like the rest of us.”
+
+David took the small ax which, however, had a handle five feet long;
+that was the “outfit” to which the man had referred. Silently, he
+followed his guide into the forest.
+
+“Now, listen,” the latter said, after they had gone a short distance.
+“The trees that produce the rubber milk are called _Hevea
+braziliensis_; everybody knows that name, even the most ignorant
+Indians, so you ought to remember it, too. The trees grow all over the
+forest, but the trouble is that there are never very many of them close
+together. You will find one here and one there and by the time you have
+discovered a few hundred you will be many kilometers from where you
+started. Could you tell one if you saw it?”
+
+“Yes, I know a rubber tree. It has long, thick leaves. Some of them grow
+higher than I am,” David replied, proud of his knowledge.
+
+“I never saw one like that. This is one of the kind I mean,” and the man
+stopped. Before him was a tree fully seventy-five feet high and eighteen
+inches through at the base. At first it looked to David exactly like all
+the other trees around them. But a second glance showed a number of
+V-shaped welts distributed evenly around the lower part of the trunk.
+
+“Is that one?” he asked. “It is different from my kind, but I see. It
+will be easy to find the trees now that you have pointed one out to me.
+I could tell them from a distance on account of the way the bark grows.”
+
+The man burst into a laugh.
+
+“The bark don’t grow that way naturally,” he said. “This tree has been
+bled some time ago and those marks are the scars that have healed over.”
+
+He then explained the characteristics by which the hevea trees could be
+readily identified. The bark, for instance, was fairly smooth, and the
+long leaves grew in little clusters of three.
+
+They walked on rapidly winding to right and to left so as to find all
+the trees growing in a wide belt of country, but kept a straight course
+toward the east.
+
+After a while the guide stopped suddenly.
+
+“Do you know where we are?” he asked.
+
+“Yes, I think so,” David replied.
+
+“Where is camp?”
+
+“That way,” and David pointed north.
+
+“You’re wrong, but it’s my fault. I should have told you before; the
+best way to mark your trail in the jungle is to bend down twigs as you
+go along. The under sides of the leaves are much lighter than the upper
+sides, so you can see them a long way off. Watch!”
+
+He snapped a small branch and the two walked on. Looking back, David
+could easily distinguish the light, silvery under surface of the leaves
+on the branch that had been bent.
+
+After that he snapped twigs frequently, leaving a well-defined trail in
+back of them.
+
+They had spent nearly three hours in the forest and had penetrated a
+distance of fully four miles.
+
+“This will be enough trees to start with,” the Brazilian said, stopping.
+“I have spotted two hundred and fifty of them and they will keep you
+busy until you learn more about the work. After a while you can go as
+much further as you like. A good man works five or six hundred trees.
+But you will have your hands full with these now.”
+
+“What do I have to do?” David asked. “How do you milk a rubber tree?”
+
+“They are not milked,” the man replied with a superior air. “They are
+bled. We will take this one for an example. Watch what I do. Look
+closely and ask me any questions you want to.”
+
+He took the long-handled ax and standing on the tips of his toes made a
+number of quick cuts in the bark as high up as he could reach. Two
+incisions were always made together to form a V, and the blade was not
+driven straight into the bark but at an angle so that the cut had
+slanting edges.
+
+After encircling the tree-trunk with these marks--about ten inches
+apart, the ring of them being over ten feet above the ground, the man
+stopped to explain their purpose. They were made merely to stimulate the
+flow of sap or latex. Each cut was a wound to the tree; it would rush a
+stream of sap to the spot to cleanse it, keep out insects and dust and
+to seal it until it could grow together again. That was nature’s way of
+protecting the tree when it was injured and while healing was in
+progress.
+
+If the tree were wounded in too many places at the same time it would be
+unable to cope with the situation and would die of the shock. But if the
+injuries were inflicted in gradually increasing numbers it would build
+up a strong defense by storing a large quantity of sap, ready to be
+rushed to any part of the trunk to clean new abrasions and protect them
+so soon as they were inflicted.
+
+Three or four days would be required to bring about this state of
+affairs in most cases, although in some trees it would take a week.
+
+That would be David’s first task--to make circles of incisions each
+morning to stimulate the trees to action.
+
+Next, he was told the rules that had to be observed in tapping the
+trees. The cuts must be ten inches apart and each new ring must be ten
+inches below the last one. Also, the position of each incision had to be
+halfway between those above, so that two days’ work would look like this
+
+    V V V V
+      V V V V
+
+Only one other thing remained to be told. No tree was to be disturbed
+unless it had a circumference of six spans half a meter above the
+ground.
+
+When, on the fourth or fifth day, the milk began to flow in quantity
+sufficient to be collected, a strip of tough palm midrib was tied around
+the trunk near the base. One side was pushed down a few inches; when the
+milk ran down the trunk it was stopped by the girdle and flowing along
+it soon reached the lowest part where a large leaf folded into a cone
+was suspended to receive it.
+
+It all looked very simple and David was sure he would have no trouble in
+following the instructions given him. On the return journey he snapped
+twigs continually so that he could easily find his way over the same
+route the next day.
+
+He was back on the trail early, starting at the same time as the others,
+who branched away in all directions. The long-handled ax was in his
+hands and the revolver, which he now always carried, was in its holster
+at his side. Most of the men had a firearm of some kind; others had bows
+and arrows, in the use of which they were proficient, having learned the
+art from the Indians.
+
+There was no trouble in picking up the trail of the previous day, and
+the bent twigs with the silvery under side of the leaves showing
+plainly, made it easy to follow the route that had been selected for
+him.
+
+As he came to each rubber tree he stopped and made the circle of
+V-shaped cuts so high up as he could reach with the ax. It was still
+early when he finished and began the homeward walk. The forest was
+strangely silent save for the call of an occasional bird in the
+distance.
+
+As he was covering his route for the second time he noticed that the
+cuts he had made the day before were covered with beads and rivulets of
+whitish gum. Some of it had trickled down a few inches on the trunk
+before hardening. That was encouraging and he hastened to make the
+second ring of incisions below the first.
+
+This was continued daily for a period of five days and by that time the
+sap was flowing so abundantly that the ground at the foot of the trees
+was covered with it. The girdles and leaf-cups were now put in position
+and it was with a feeling of eagerness that David started on his journey
+the following morning, this time carrying a large tin pail in addition
+to the ax.
+
+Each folded leaf contained from one to two ounces of the milky sap. They
+were emptied into the bucket and the leaves were replaced at the lowest
+part of the belt. New cuts were made in the trees for the next day’s
+supply.
+
+When Jones reached the end of his line the pail was nearly full and he
+had to walk carefully in order not to spill any of the precious fluid.
+Also, it was very heavy. As he walked along slowly, an idea came to him.
+Why had he begun to collect the milk at the near end of the trail? That
+meant carrying the filled pail all the way back! By starting at the far
+end the pail would not be full until he was nearly back in camp and so
+the carry would be a short one.
+
+After the midday meal, which was most uninviting as it consisted of the
+eternal dried beef, rice and beans, all boiled together so that they
+formed a thick, brown mass, he went to one of the smokehouses to prepare
+his day’s catch.
+
+This structure, like the others used for the purpose, was almost
+entirely enclosed; that is, the palm leaves, of which the roof was
+composed, hung down in a ragged fringe until they touched the ground.
+The ends were closed with other leaves fastened to cross pieces of
+bamboo. There was only one small opening that served as a doorway, but
+light entered the interior through the numerous little holes between the
+leaves.
+
+The smoke was so dense that at first David could see nothing. His eyes
+began to smart and tears rolled down his cheeks. The smoke threatened to
+suffocate him and, coughing violently, he began to grope blindly for the
+doorway.
+
+“Stoop down, _caboclo_,” someone called to him and he obeyed
+mechanically. The air was clear lower down; in fact, the smoke hovered
+in a thick cloud near the top of the structure, its lower edge four feet
+above the earth floor.
+
+David had recognized the voice that had called to him. It was Miguel’s.
+And the word _caboclo_ meant a sort of worthless fellow and was always
+used derisively. But he was in no condition to resent the insult just
+then, so pretended not to have noticed it.
+
+When his eyes had cleared he could make out a number of men squatting
+near their smudges, each engaged in smoking his day’s harvest of rubber
+sap. There being several unused fireplaces he went to one of them and
+set down his pail. Then he went to one of the men--one he had taught to
+swim and dive, and asked questions, watching him proceed with his work
+the while. The process was a very simple one, so he soon returned to his
+place, started a fire between the stones and when the dry sticks were
+blazing he placed upon them several of the large palm nuts used to
+produce the smudge.
+
+Soon the smoke was rolling upward in a broad, white column; then he
+placed one of the tall, cone-shaped tins over it so that it now poured
+out of the opening in the pointed end in a small though dense stream.
+
+The milk was emptied into a wide, shallow pan. A pole five feet long and
+having a circumference of six inches was suspended by one end from the
+rafters with a strong cord. He took the loose end in one hand, swung the
+pole over the pan, dipped up some of the milk with a gourd dipper and
+poured it over the central part of the pole. A good deal of it adhered
+to the wood but the greater part of it ran down again into the pan.
+Then he quickly swung the pole so that the part covered with sap was
+directly over the tin cone; the acrid smoke pouring out of it instantly
+converted the milk into rubber by congealing and darkening it.
+
+In a short time he became very proficient in the operation. The pole was
+kept swinging back and forth constantly; when it was above the pan it
+received a fresh coat of milk and when it swung over the smoke a new,
+thin layer of rubber was formed.
+
+It took several hours to prepare his morning’s catch. The novelty of the
+work made it interesting, at first. After that it was nothing but a
+monotonous, mechanical grind and David was glad when the last drops had
+been scooped out of the pan and added to the slowly forming ball on the
+pole. All the others had finished their work long before that time and
+were lolling about camp.
+
+David went to his quarters for his lasso. There were still several hours
+before nightfall and he would use them in practice with the rope; it was
+absolutely necessary that he become expert in its use before returning
+to the ranch.
+
+Again and again the coil was swung over his head and sent speeding at a
+conveniently situated stump that served as a target. More often than not
+the loop fell wide of the mark. He was so engrossed in his occupation
+that he had not noticed the little group of men that had gathered to
+watch his efforts.
+
+“He will never learn anything. Just look at that! missed it four
+meters.” David knew that the voice belonged to Miguel, without turning
+to look at the speaker. “I told you he was a _caboclo_,” the latter
+continued.
+
+David pretended not to hear. He whipped up the noose with a snap and
+prepared it for another throw.
+
+“And he’s worse than that. If anybody called me a caboclo I’d fight.”
+Miguel had been encouraged by David’s silence and was adding insult to
+injury.
+
+That was too much for David. He dropped the rope and in a few quick
+strides reached the man who had so openly challenged him.
+
+“Look here,” he said very quietly, “don’t you ever get the idea that I’m
+afraid of you--or anyone else either. This is not the first time you
+tried to make trouble; but it’s going to be the last time. Understand?”
+
+The even tones deceived Miguel. The only kind of fighting he knew was
+always preceded by loud, fiery arguments. The American was clearly
+evading the issue.
+
+“Well,” he said with a sneer, “what are you going to do about it?”
+
+“This!” David’s right fist shot out like a bolt and sent the
+troublemaker flat on his back.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+A BATTLE WITH A CROCODILE
+
+
+A gasp escaped the circle of onlookers as Miguel struck the ground. And
+the first feeling of surprise was followed by one of expectancy, of
+curiosity to see what would happen next. According to the rules of the
+game as they knew it David should have immediately pounced upon the
+prostrate man and given him a good mauling, but he did nothing of the
+sort. That puzzled them.
+
+He stood over him, however, with clenched fists, ready for instant
+action when Miguel regained his feet.
+
+After a moment the man opened his eyes.
+
+“Now take back what you said,” David demanded.
+
+“I was only joking,” Miguel answered, rising to a sitting position and
+holding one hand to his head.
+
+“Well, I was not joking,” David replied. “You know that by this time. I
+was in dead earnest. I’ve stood for a good many things to keep from
+hurting anybody, but there’s a limit. Take back your words or you won’t
+stay on your feet very long when you get up. I’ll knock you down every
+time you try it. What you’ve had so far is only a sample.”
+
+The man looked appealingly to the circle of his companions. But the look
+in their faces gave him no encouragement to expect help in that
+direction. First one, then another face was scrutinized. The onlookers,
+if anything, were afraid the fight would stop too soon; they wanted to
+see more of it.
+
+“Hurry up!” David’s voice rang out clear and sharp. “Do what I told you
+to unless you want to spend the whole afternoon down in the dirt.”
+
+“I said I was only joking,” Miguel persisted. “I said I didn’t mean
+anything.” He stopped short.
+
+“All right. And I said I am not joking. Now continue. Say you’re sorry
+and take it all back.”
+
+After a short hesitation the man did as he was directed.
+
+“Now get up,” David said. “I’m sorry, too, I had to hurt you and I hope
+it won’t be necessary to do it again. It depends on you.”
+
+Picking up his rope he continued his occupation as unconcernedly as if
+nothing had happened.
+
+Miguel got up and walked toward one of the huts. The others, however,
+remained, watching David’s efforts and giving him a good deal of helpful
+advice which he was glad to have.
+
+Day after day the work of collecting the rubber sap continued. The
+unvaried nature of the work was monotonous. Each morning David tramped
+up the long trail to its end and then went slowly homeward emptying the
+little leaf-cups into his pail and cutting new gashes into the trees as
+he went. The flow was increasing steadily and was of excellent quality.
+As a result of this the ball of rubber on the stick in the smokehouse
+grew rapidly. Each day’s work added another layer to the rapidly
+accumulating mass.
+
+The men, so it was said, received the equivalent of ten cents a pound
+for the rubber they collected. And as David was now adding not less than
+twenty pounds a day to his lot, it was amounting up rapidly.
+
+In covering his route one day he found that instead of the white liquid
+he had expected to find, many of the cups were filled with little cakes
+of a tough cheesy consistency and of a grayish color. He could not
+account for the sudden change. Removing one of the cups he pulled away
+the leaf in fragments, revealing the little cake in its entirety, and
+puzzled over it for some time. There was nothing to do but to collect
+the masses and replace the leaf-cups with new ones. Those containers
+that held latex as it should be were emptied into the pail. David
+removed his shirt and used it for a bag in which to carry the chunks of
+congealed substance.
+
+This took more time than usual and it was well past the noon hour when
+he reached camp. The men were in the smokehouses, busy with their
+occupation. It had occurred to David that the condition of his catch
+might be the result of some change in the weather, but when he saw the
+others with their pans of snowy liquid he knew that there must be some
+other reason.
+
+Dom Carlos, the foreman, happened to be in the hut when he entered. He
+was in his usual ugly mood and glared at David as he emptied the
+contents of his shirt on the floor.
+
+“What have you got there?” he called in a loud voice.
+
+“I don’t know what caused it,” David began, while some of the men
+started to laugh, “but it was nearly all like this today. I thought
+maybe it was the heat caused it.”
+
+“Who do you think I am, to try to give me such an excuse?” Carlos
+bellowed. “The heat! The heat! It must have affected you but not the
+rubber. It’s your own laziness spoiled it. You’ve wasted a day of your
+employer’s time and a lot of his property. Do you realize that?”
+
+David did not like being called down before all the others and he could
+hardly keep from expressing his feelings in a forcible manner. But upon
+second thought he suppressed the impulse. Perhaps the man was trying to
+pick a fight.
+
+“What’s the reason for it?” he asked. “Why did the milk get hard like
+that?”
+
+“Dirt, of course. You’ve been using the same old cups every day when you
+should make new ones at least every third day.”
+
+“What do you want done with this? Isn’t it worth anything?” David asked.
+
+“Throw it into the scrap heap. The boss is entitled to all the rubber on
+his property, and if anyone wastes it, as you have done, he suffers a
+loss. But I’ll see that he doesn’t lose anything in this case. I’ll
+charge it against your work,” the foreman said in an angry manner.
+
+That part did not trouble David greatly. He was not counting so much on
+earning money as on winning the good will of everyone around him. So he
+made no reply.
+
+Having nothing to do that afternoon, after the small quantity of good
+sap had been prepared, he spent the time with his lasso. It was
+remarkable how quickly one could become fairly proficient through
+constant, earnest practice. He could now swing the rope easily and hurl
+it accurately. If he continued to show improvement at the present rate
+he would be well able to hold his own when they returned to the ranch.
+
+“I believe in making hay while the sun shines,” he thought, “then after
+I’ve won my spurs in the bush it will be easier to get along at Las
+Palmas.”
+
+The next morning the contents of most of the cups were found to be in
+the same condition as on the previous day. After examining a number of
+the little, tough cakes David came to the conclusion that no matter what
+caused the trouble, he was not responsible for it. The cups were clean,
+for they were new ones. And the milk that trickled from the cuts was as
+it should be; it was only after it reached the little containers that it
+quickly coagulated. No! It was not his fault and not the fault of the
+trees; they had not soured overnight. Someone had visited his route and
+had tampered with his work.
+
+First he would try to find out what had been done and the next step
+would be to discover the guilty party.
+
+He took one of the small cakes and examined it carefully. The exterior
+was perfectly smooth. Then he cut it in half and looked at the texture
+of the interior of the mass. It did not differ from the outside. Not
+satisfied with this finding he divided one of the halves and when the
+knife had gone into it a little ways it scraped against some hard
+substance near the bottom. It was a large, black ant and he had cut it
+in two.
+
+That might be a clew as to what caused the difficulty. Acting on a
+sudden impulse he smelled of the pieces in his hand. There was a strong
+odor of acid, not unfamiliar to him.
+
+“Formic acid, of course,” he said half aloud. “Ants are full of it. It’s
+strong enough to curdle almost anything.”
+
+The presence of the ant seemed to explain the condition of the latex;
+but someone must have placed it there. It was possible that it had been
+attracted by the fluid and had fallen into it while drinking. But he did
+not recall having seen a single one at any time and if they were so
+plentiful that they invaded fully half his cups, it seemed that he must
+have observed them for they were of extraordinary size, being nearly an
+inch long.
+
+David cut open one after another of the muffin-like pieces as he found
+them; each contained one or more of the ants. That fact confirmed his
+suspicions. Then he pulled out one of the insects and examined it
+minutely; and the first thing he saw was that it was headless. He cut
+and broke the mass of rubber into small bits, but the missing head could
+not be found. A hurried examination of a number of other pieces produced
+the same result. All the insects had been decapitated and were in about
+the center of the mass, indicating that they had been dropped into the
+cups some time after the sap began to flow--probably late in the
+afternoon.
+
+The whole thing was perfectly clear to David now. After finishing his
+work in the smokehouse Miguel stole back over David’s trail with a
+supply of the ants he had gathered at some nest he had discovered and
+placed them in the containers. He recalled now that Miguel was always
+among the first to finish the smoking and often disappeared shortly
+after. Also, it was not surprising that he should want to have revenge
+on the person who had humiliated him.
+
+David determined that he would feign ignorance of his discovery and trap
+the culprit at his game. He did not trouble to collect the coagulated
+masses, for they would only be thrown into the scrap heap, but tossed
+them aside and placed new cups into position.
+
+That afternoon David was passing the time with his lasso, as usual;
+several of the men who had finished their task were watching him and
+offering advice when up walked Miguel.
+
+The thrashing he had received rankled. He had lost prestige with the
+men; and he was determined to square the account.
+
+David saw at a glance that Miguel was in an ugly mood and bent on
+starting trouble, but pretended not to notice him.
+
+For a moment the Brazilian said nothing. But the look on his face as he
+watched David plainly showed the thoughts that were in his mind.
+
+“That was wonderful,” he said finally and with a note of sarcasm in his
+voice, as David, throwing at one of the men who ran past, thus serving
+as a moving target, missed. “Keep it up and you’ll soon be foreman of
+the ranch.”
+
+Strange to say, none of the men laughed. Their sympathy was entirely
+with David and this added to Miguel’s anger.
+
+“And how about that fancy swimming you talked so much about?” he added.
+
+“Who, me?” David seemed surprised. “I don’t remember saying anything
+about it.”
+
+“I do, and I have witnesses. You said you would go anywhere I would.”
+
+“All right. I’ll go any time you say.”
+
+“The water is full of crocodiles. You won’t go in when you see them, and
+then they,” pointing to the others, “will see how brave you are. And if
+you do go in you’ll be eaten in a minute, because you can’t swim well
+enough to----”
+
+“I’ll go at any time and place you say and I’ll do anything you will.
+Right now suits me. Now come on, or shut up,” David interrupted him
+hotly.
+
+Miguel flushed and moved his feet uneasily, but there was now no getting
+out of it.
+
+“The lagoon,” he said grimly. “We’ll go to the lagoon.”
+
+“No, Miguel; not there.” One of the men stepped forward as if to stop
+him. “It is full of _caimen_ and they are the largest and most savage of
+any place. Go to the river.”
+
+“Get out of the way!” Miguel pushed him aside.
+
+David had not even heard that there was a lagoon in the neighborhood,
+but followed his challenger as he walked away. Without fully realizing
+what he was doing he still retained hold of the rope. In his belt he had
+only the long brush knife each man carried; the revolver was in his
+hammock in the shack where he invariably placed it upon his return from
+the forest at noon.
+
+The men who had been present followed the two in a straggling line. The
+thing that was about to happen might have a thrilling ending and they
+did not want to miss it.
+
+Miguel took a trail that was new to David and walked rapidly through the
+semi-gloom of the heavy jungle. He was grimly silent. He realized the
+serious nature of the mission; he had spoken hastily and now regretted
+his conduct. But, much to his surprise, David had accepted promptly, and
+now, with the others following, there was nothing to do but see the
+thing through.
+
+After half an hour’s walk, during which no one spoke, they reached a
+point where the forest grew thinner and the patches of sky showing
+through the branches ahead of them were larger. They were coming to the
+jungle’s end.
+
+Then the trees were replaced by a growth of brush in scattered clumps
+and the ground was soggy underfoot. Ahead of them glistened a sheet of
+water fringed with reeds and grass. Here and there was a cluster of
+tall, feathery bamboo in which large, crested birds were fluttering and
+croaking. A number of tall herons, frightened from their places of
+concealment by the newcomers, flapped heavily across the opening,
+voicing their resentment in hoarse squawks.
+
+A more desolate place would be hard to picture, but Miguel did not
+falter. He picked his way carefully over the muddy path and made
+straight for the lagoon, David not ten feet in back of him and the
+others bringing up the rear.
+
+It happened so suddenly that at first David did not know what took
+place. Miguel was just rounding one of the dense clumps of bushes when
+he gave a wild cry of terror and sank down into the grass. There was a
+struggle of some kind going on. The tall blades beside the trail waved
+and crumpled; there was the sound of a heavy body thumping in the mud;
+and Miguel’s screams filled the air.
+
+“Help! help! help! For heaven’s sake, help me!” he was calling
+frantically.
+
+David thought the unfortunate man had been seized by a giant snake. He
+looked back to where the other men had been; they were fleeing down the
+trail for their lives and calling to him to follow them.
+
+Just then Miguel’s head and shoulders appeared above the waving grass.
+He was clutching wildly at the stems and sprouts, but they either gave
+way or his grasp was broken by an irresistible force that was dragging
+him rapidly toward the lagoon.
+
+David started for the man on a run; and then he saw that Miguel was in
+the clutches of a monster crocodile. The repulsive reptile had seized
+him by one foot and was moving away with surprising agility--so fast,
+in fact, that David could not hope to overtake it before it reached the
+muddy water.
+
+Miguel’s position seemed hopeless; in a few moments he would be dragged
+to the bottom and drowned.
+
+David’s mind was in a turmoil. His only weapon was the long knife in his
+belt, but that was useless at the moment. But there was the rope with
+which he had been toying when the trouble started and which was still in
+his hands. Almost before he realized what he was doing the noose was
+whirling over his head; the next instant it was soaring through the air,
+opening as it went, and as it sped on its way he prayed that it would
+find its mark.
+
+By this time the crocodile had reached the bare, muddy flat bordering
+the water. In another moment it would disappear into the stagnant depths
+with its terror-stricken victim.
+
+The rope flew after it with a whining sound and sent up a shower of thin
+mud as it struck. Then it lay limp. The noose had failed in its mission.
+
+A cry of despair escaped David when he realized what had happened; and
+then a tug, a violent pull, brought him to his senses. Luckily he still
+had the end of the rope in his hands, but he soon found that he had not
+the strength to stop the rush of the great creature. He was as nothing
+compared to the powerful reptile, which pulled him along as if
+unconscious of any hindrance.
+
+A clump of thick sprouts grew just off the trail to one side of him.
+They offered the one means of
+
+[Illustration: He delivered thrust after thrust with his right at the
+vulnerable neck and throat.]
+
+salvation open to the man. David swerved around the growth and the drag
+on the line became less; and when he had encircled it there was scarcely
+any pull at all, for he had made a complete hitch around the stout
+stems, which now served as an unyielding anchor.
+
+The crocodile had come to an abrupt halt. It lashed its tail from side
+to side and writhed in its efforts to free itself from the grip of the
+rope that encircled one of its legs; but it still clung tenaciously to
+the man, unwilling to release him when but a few steps separated it from
+its element.
+
+David worked with frantic haste. He tied the end of the rope to one of
+the stems and, drawing the knife with its two-foot blade, rushed toward
+the struggling monster.
+
+“Save me! Save me!” Miguel was crying piteously, and in his anxiety
+David cast caution to the winds and dashed at the reptile, knife raised
+high above his shoulder. The next thing he knew he found himself
+sprawling in the mud where a powerful blow of the crocodile’s tail had
+sent him. He arose immediately, but this time he approached more
+cautiously.
+
+“Use your own knife,” he shouted. “Hack at the eyes, the throat--any
+place at all!”
+
+These words carried a ray of hope with them and for the first time
+Miguel seemed to regain his reason. He drew the shining blade from the
+scabbard and rained a shower of blows on the creature’s head, making it
+bellow with pain and rage.
+
+Blood began to stream from the numerous gashes, but still it refused to
+relinquish its victim. It was too occupied, however, to pay further
+attention to David; in a moment he had leaped astride the armor-covered
+back and, clutching the rough plates with his left hand, he delivered
+thrust after thrust with his right at the vulnerable neck and throat.
+
+Roars and bellows escaped the struggling reptile as it shook its huge
+body in vain efforts to rid itself of its adversary and filled the air
+with a shower of the thin mud. However, the odds against it were too
+great. Its efforts grew weaker and after a few minutes there were only
+the convulsive movements of its massive legs and tail. Its head had been
+almost severed from the body.
+
+David pried open the great jaws with the blade of his knife and released
+Miguel’s foot; then he carried him to the grass and removed his shoe to
+examine the extent of his injury. He found that two of the thick,
+peg-like teeth had entered the flesh. Obviously the crocodile had broken
+some of its teeth in previous encounters, or the man would not have
+escaped so easily. He bore the pain stolidly even when David probed the
+wound to encourage bleeding, for he dared not wash it with the stagnant
+water of the lagoon.
+
+Just then the men reappeared. They had witnessed the combat from a
+distance, but now that it was over they came back and discussed it in
+loud, excited voices.
+
+David went to get his rope and paced the distance beside the crocodile,
+finding it over twenty feet in length. Then he returned to the group.
+
+“Miguel will have to be carried back to camp,” he said. “He must not
+walk until I can wash and dress his foot properly. You can all take
+turns carrying him, first one, then the other. Now, let’s start.”
+
+They obeyed mechanically, glad to be under the direction of the man who
+was now a hero in their sight, although they were still too dazed fully
+to appreciate it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+ADRIFT IN THE FOREST
+
+
+That night each one of the men who had witnessed the encounter of the
+afternoon described it in minutest detail to the others who had not been
+present. Even the Indians learned of it and came over in a body to hear
+the story told and retold, and then returned to their own shelters to
+discuss it far into the night.
+
+David was embarrassed by this great amount of attention.
+
+“It was nothing,” he assured them. “Each one of you would have done the
+same thing if you had had a rope.”
+
+“No, we wouldn’t,” they said, “especially if he had treated us the way
+he did you. He started it and was taking you there hoping you would
+be----”
+
+“Never mind that part of it. It’s all over now and, as I said before, it
+was nothing. I’m sure Miguel was only joking.”
+
+Miguel sat brooding through it all and David could not fail to notice
+it.
+
+“He’s sorry he put the ants into my rubber,” he thought with a smile.
+“Well, there won’t be any more of them for a few days at least, because
+he won’t be able to walk for a while. And, even when he can walk again,
+he can’t possibly be mean enough to play any more pranks like that on
+me.”
+
+It was therefore with a light heart that he started over his route the
+next morning. He had first looked at Miguel’s foot; it was swollen, but
+showed no signs of infection; so he washed and dressed it and told the
+man that if he remained in his hammock for a few days he would be all
+right. Miguel submitted to the ministrations and advice without a word.
+He seemed eager to have David care for his injured foot, but if he
+appreciated the attentions he received he gave no evidence of it.
+
+“He certainly is a queer character, but as Tiny Tim said, ‘God bless us
+every one.’ I can’t figure him out,” David thought as he left the shack.
+
+The first few trees he visited had not been tampered with. The little
+cups were full of the precious, snowy liquid. He was positive now that
+his conjecture had been right. Miguel was the culprit; as he had not
+been able to visit the route the day before the catch had not been
+spoiled.
+
+Then great was his consternation to find that the very next cup was
+filled with a little cake of curdled latex, as before; and upon cutting
+it open he found the decapitated ants.
+
+Miguel was not the guilty one, after all. But who was? Someone was
+certainly responsible for the state of affairs. The ants could not drop
+their heads and then plunge into the white liquid that served as their
+graves.
+
+Continuing his walk along the trail, he found that numerous other trees
+had been visited by the prowler that did so much harm, the same trees in
+most instances as before. There was now no one whom David could suspect
+and the solution of the mystery seemed hopeless. But he would outwit
+them all. Without saying a word to anyone, he would select a new line
+and tap the trees, being careful not to leave a blazed trail that would
+be so easy to follow.
+
+He began to collect the sap and threw the curdled pieces away as he
+turned his steps campward.
+
+Then a peculiar thing happened, so unexpected that it was startling. He
+had just rounded a bend in the trail. Ten yards ahead of him stood a
+thick hevea tree scarred by the cuts he had made. A flickering movement
+caught his eye; it was near the folded cup that served to catch the sap.
+Stopping in his tracks he looked intently at the little container, but
+saw nothing. He stood a full minute without removing his gaze from the
+spot, and just as he began to think that the flickering object had been
+a falling leaf his persistence was rewarded.
+
+A long, curved beak, followed by a brown head and two bright eyes,
+appeared cautiously around the tree trunk. David did not move. After a
+moment’s pause a brown bird about eight inches long hopped into view; it
+looked like a woodpecker, clinging to the bark with its feet and using
+its tail as a prop to sit on when it stopped to rest. David recognized
+it as a woodhewer, of which there were many species in the forest.
+
+The bird now hopped along fearlessly and for the first time the man
+noticed that it held something in its beak. It made straight for the
+cup and dropped the object it had been carrying into it. Immediately
+after, it flew away; a few undulating dashes through the air and it had
+alighted on the base of a neighboring tree and at once began to hop
+nimbly up the straight trunk. Soon it disappeared into a hole high
+overhead, which was apparently the entrance to its nesting cavity. In a
+moment it came out again and, clinging to the bark, hammered vigorously
+some object it had brought out of the cavity; then it flew to the
+nearest hevea and dropped the morsel into the little pool of sap forming
+in the leaf-cup.
+
+David watched the bird make several more trips between its nest and the
+nearby rubber trees. The mystery was solved. It was catching the ants
+that invaded its domicile, pounding off their heads against the rough
+bark and then disposing of the remains by dropping them into the nearest
+pool of liquid it could find, possibly to make doubly sure that they
+would not again come to life to disturb it. If the nearest pool happened
+to be a cup of latex the bird, of course, used it and David suffered
+thereby.
+
+The woodhewers were plentiful in the forest, which accounted for the
+fact that so many trees had been visited by them. He wondered why the
+men had not told him about this.
+
+David said nothing about his discovery when he reached camp. But that
+afternoon, when he had finished his work in the smokehouse, he took a
+long walk in the forest, visiting the routes of several of the men. He
+found, as he had confidently expected, that the proportion of their
+trees visited by the birds was as great as on his own line; but the men
+had made up for the loss by extending their lines and bringing new trees
+into bearing as fast as others had to be discarded.
+
+This knowledge clearly pointed out to David the course he had to follow.
+And early the following morning found him prepared to extend his trail
+or open a new one. He carried his pail, as usual; in addition, the
+long-handled ax for tapping the new trees. His revolver and knife were
+in his belt.
+
+When he reached the end of the trail he put down the pail and continued
+walking through the forest; the country was all new to him, but he had
+no difficulty in locating rubber trees. They seemed more plentiful than
+ever, if anything. Clumps of them stood among the palms and other tall
+growths.
+
+As he penetrated farther and farther into the thick jungle he snapped or
+turned twigs every few steps so that there would be no trouble in
+finding his way back.
+
+He had been travelling in this manner more or less steadily for the
+greater part of two hours and had covered a distance of three or four
+miles. No less than two hundred new trees had been added to his line;
+when they produced freely, as they would within a week, his daily catch
+would compare favorably with that of the best in spite of the
+depredations of the woodhewers.
+
+To one side of him grew a very tall tree, towering high above its
+fellows; the trunk was straight and about four feet through, and David
+estimated that the lowest limb was fully sixty feet above the ground
+while the topmost twigs must have been a hundred and fifty feet above
+his head. There were numbers of round objects hanging from the branches.
+He wondered what they were, and thinking that some of them might have
+fallen to the ground he walked to the tree to see if he could find one.
+
+Before long he found one of the large, cannon-ball-like objects, and
+upon breaking it open found a number of Brazil nuts inside. He stooped
+to crack one, but the blows from his knife never fell; from directly
+above him came the most peculiar song he had ever heard. It rose clear
+and ringing, setting the jungle a-tingle with its resonance, and
+swelling airily and easily until it seemed to penetrate the body of the
+listener.
+
+_Oo-whee whee-e-e oo_ came the song, first low and plaintive, then
+rising to a very loud yet mellow pitch and again descending to the low,
+sad _oo_, finally ending in a few almost inaudible _churrs_. It sounded
+somewhat like the ringing of a bell.
+
+Now, David had read about the bell birds of the South American forest
+and he felt that this must be one of them. Without rising, his eyes
+searched the branches overhead. The notes had come from so close at hand
+that the singer must have been in one of the lower growths, almost
+within reach of the man’s hand.
+
+There was not a stir among the leaves; the bird was not moving and would
+be harder to locate for that reason. As David gazed into the lacy
+vegetation about him the song was suddenly repeated and with such
+startling clearness that it sounded nearer than before. He looked
+quickly in the direction from which it had come, but saw nothing. It was
+exasperating; a creature capable of producing such a volume of sound
+must be of considerable size. Then why could not he see it, especially
+since it was so close to him?
+
+A short time later a second voice came, as if in answer to the first,
+but it was some distance away, reaching but faintly through the maze of
+vegetation on the right. David turned his head in the direction from
+which the new song had come, involuntarily, and at the same moment the
+voice of the first singer rang out even louder than before.
+
+_Oo-whee whee-oo!_ The swelling cadence cut the silence with appalling
+suddenness. It was uncanny, for try as he would David could not locate
+the bird that was calling. Either it was an accomplished ventriloquist
+and was not where he expected to find it, or it was so small and
+inconspicuously colored that it was hard to see.
+
+That was the last time the song was repeated in the near vicinity. Again
+and again the bursts of sound, rising and falling in astonishing volume,
+came to the bewildered listener, but now they were all in the distance.
+The songsters were all around him and the forest rang with their clear,
+penetrating notes.
+
+“I’m going to see one of them if it takes the rest of the day,” David
+said between clenched teeth. “That first one was right in front of my
+eyes, or I couldn’t have heard it so well. Why didn’t I see it then?”
+
+He went to the tree from which the nearest song was flowing; when he
+reached it there was only silence. After a moment’s wait he left the
+spot and went to another where several birds were calling. But they
+immediately hushed their voices. Then he went to another, and another.
+But each time he changed positions the voice he sought was quickly
+silenced while the jungle resounded with the others, all of which were
+some little distance away.
+
+It occurred to him that his abrupt movements might be frightening the
+creatures, so he tried stealing noiselessly from one place to another;
+but still the result was the same. It was like pursuing some
+will-o’-the-wisp, always within reach but always unattainable.
+
+An hour passed, but David took no note of the fleeting time. A second
+slipped by and a third had started into the abyss that has neither
+beginning nor end, when the persistence and patience of the watcher were
+rewarded. He saw a dark object dart from one branch to another and then
+clearly made out the form of the bird as it sat motionless on its thick
+perch. It was the size of a robin and of a uniform, slaty-black color;
+the latter fact explained why it was so hard to see in the gloom of the
+forest vault.
+
+The bird sat quietly for several minutes while David stirred not a
+muscle. Then it raised its head and poured out the flood of sound that
+had been so baffling to the man.
+
+“I was determined to see it, and I did; but I had no idea I was so long
+about it,” David mused, consulting his watch. “I’ll have to hustle now.
+Let’s see, just where am I?”
+
+He looked around for a moment; the trees on all sides looked alike. In
+the excitement of his pursuit he had neglected to bend twigs to mark his
+path.
+
+His predicament was amusing, perhaps even a trifle annoying--nothing
+more. A few precious minutes more would be wasted while he got his
+bearings and he would be just that much later in reaching camp. He did
+not stop to think what would happen when he got there.
+
+“The trail is in this direction and camp is right over there,” he
+thought.
+
+Having reached these conclusions he started away at a rapid pace; and he
+walked longer than he thought he should have to strike the
+trail--without striking it. But he kept on doggedly until he was forced
+to admit that his guess had been a mistaken one.
+
+He stopped and again calculated carefully just which direction was the
+right one to take; and again a fruitless, tiring walk rewarded his
+efforts. When he tried to get his bearings for the third time he was
+forced to admit to himself that he was hopelessly lost. The sun might
+have been of use in the emergency, but in the forest there was no sun,
+and night was fast approaching.
+
+The first sensation that followed the realization that he was completely
+lost was one of panic. And the first impulse was to dash away
+frantically without heed to direction. However, David remained master of
+himself to the extent that he quelled these feelings; he sat down on a
+convenient log. He would think it over, as calmly as he could, and
+decide what best had be done.
+
+It came to him clearly now. He had followed the voice of the jungle
+siren without the slightest regard to the direction in which he went. He
+had not the faintest idea how far he had gone. He did not know where his
+old trail or the end of the new one was; perhaps they were many miles
+away. In short, he was just as much lost as ever.
+
+Finally he decided that the best procedure was to walk in gradually
+widening circles; at some time the circumference must bisect a point he
+knew. One direction was as good as another to start with, so he started,
+walking rapidly; and by bearing slightly to the right he was sure his
+steps must cover a circuitous course.
+
+Nightfall found him still at sea as to his whereabouts. He gathered a
+pile of wood, started a fire and then sat down between the blaze and the
+butt of a thick _castanha_ tree. No sleep came to him that night. All
+through the hours of blackness, peopled with invisible forms and strange
+noises, he kept his lonely vigil, straining his ears for the shots or
+calls of the searching party he was sure would be sent for him.
+
+When daylight came there was nothing to do but resume the tramp of the
+day before, for he had been unable to think of a better plan.
+
+Fortunately, he came across a giant armadillo digging for grubs in a
+decayed stump, and promptly killed it before the stupid creature
+withdrew its head from the rubbish to discover his presence.
+
+It was a monster of its kind and weighed half a hundredweight. The head,
+body, legs and tail were completely encased in bony armor, and the claws
+it used in procuring its food would have measured eight inches long.
+
+David built a fire on the spot and soon pieces of the tender white
+flesh, roasted thoroughly, were satisfying the hunger of two days’
+duration. He cooked every morsel, wrapped what he did not eat in leaves,
+and then fastened the pack to his back with strips of bark. It might be
+days before another opportunity to procure food so easily presented
+itself.
+
+When the third day had passed the seriousness of his position came to
+David in an unexpected manner. The thing that caused him to stop
+suddenly while a feeling of terror came over him was the first sign of
+oncoming fever.
+
+That dread scourge of the tropical jungle struck without warning and
+David had read and heard enough about it to recognize it at the first
+onslaught--a feeling of utter exhaustion, followed by chills that made
+his teeth chatter even though the vegetation, high overhead, was wilting
+in the glare of the brassy sun. His entire body trembled violently as he
+sank in a heap to the ground. After that came a burning fever, so that
+for an hour he tossed in intense agony.
+
+The attack finally subsided, leaving him limp and helpless. After a time
+he gathered enough strength to kindle a fire, beside which he spent a
+miserable night.
+
+Once he sank into a light sleep; he was awakened by the sound of
+shuffling footsteps in the dry leaves. Some large animal was watching
+him, although he could not see it in the darkness. He threw wood on the
+fire and as the flames leaped up there was a heavy crashing in the
+underbrush as the startled creature dashed away.
+
+The malady returned at increasingly frequent intervals, like some
+insidious enemy sure of its victim but in no undue haste to accomplish
+its vile purpose. David could not bear up under the repeated attacks. At
+the end of a week he was too ill to continue the ceaseless and now
+hopeless tramp that took him nowhere.
+
+His food had given out; and he had no desire to eat even if there had
+been food in abundance. His one thought was of companionship; with
+someone near him the whole frightful experience would not be so hard to
+bear--even if it came to the worst. But alone, with only the gloomy
+forest and its furtive wild folk about him, it was terrifying. His
+thoughts wandered to far-off things, especially to those he had insisted
+on leaving back at home. Then he remembered his enthusiasm when first he
+had seen the Amazonian jungle from the deck of the steamer. It had
+seemed to challenge him; he remembered that distinctly. “Come if you
+dare,” it had said, “and I will overwhelm you.”
+
+Full of confidence in his own ability he had accepted the bold defiance
+hurled at him by the mystery-enshrouded walls of green. He had lost, but
+he had only himself to blame.
+
+Not a word of complaint escaped his lips. While there was life there was
+hope; he would sleep a while, if possible, or at any rate rest for a
+time. Then he would take up the fight anew. His head would be clearer
+and some way was bound to occur to him that would get him out of the
+difficulty.
+
+Oblivion came quickly--too quickly, in fact, to portend anything of a
+wholesome nature; and for an hour he lay quiet as death. He was awakened
+from his stupor by fiery stings in one hand that had been stretched out
+far from his body. He drew it toward him and raised it unsteadily to see
+what was causing the pain. Several large, black ants were clinging to
+it, their vise-like mandibles embedded deeply in his skin. With a great
+effort he tore away the ferocious insects and raised himself on his
+elbows. What he saw caused a cry of horror to escape his lips.
+
+An ant army, the most relentless of all the creatures that infest the
+tropical forest, was approaching. Already the leading files had
+discovered him; some had attacked without delay, while others had
+hurried back to the main column to convey the news of their find.
+
+David summoned all the strength at his command in an effort to rise to
+his feet. But the exertion was in vain, and after several futile
+attempts he knew that escape was impossible. However, he might ward off
+the end if----
+
+Slowly and laboriously he tried rolling over the ground. It was hard
+work, but finally he succeeded in making a complete turn. A pause for
+rest, then another turn and a distance of nearly three yards had been
+gained on the avalanche of ants that was sweeping towards him. Perhaps
+he could evade the insatiable horde after all; but when he struggled to
+roll again it seemed that his last chance had vanished, for directly in
+his path was an obstacle he could not surmount in the form of a fallen
+tree that blocked all progress for a distance of fifty feet each way.
+
+The realization that escape was cut off in the one direction that had
+seemed open came as a disheartening shock. He lay back limp and
+helpless; to his ears came the sound of the insects swarming over the
+dry leaves, like the patter of a shower of rain. His brain reeled and
+the blood roared in his veins. In desperation he covered his face with
+his hands.
+
+“Lord,” he prayed, “I’m not blaming anybody but myself for getting into
+this, but if I get out of it I’ll know You helped.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+THE RESCUE FROM THE ANT ARMY
+
+
+When David failed to return to camp at the usual time little was thought
+of it by those who noticed his absence. It was not until the foreman
+came around on his daily tour of inspection of the smokehouses that
+mention was made of it. It was then past mid-afternoon.
+
+“You, Mariano, go to the _dormitorio_ to see if he is there,” he said.
+“He may be sick.”
+
+Mariano dropped his work and hurried out. Soon he returned.
+
+“He is not there,” he said, “and the cook said he has not come in yet.
+He’s been waiting for him.”
+
+“Wonder what’s keeping him,” the foreman said uneasily. “Did he say
+anything to anybody this morning about going farther than usual?”
+
+A chorus of “No, Senhor,” and “Not to me” came in response to the
+inquiry.
+
+The chief bit his lip.
+
+“I’ll be back soon,” he said. “If he comes let me know at once. Don’t go
+away when you are through with your work. I may need all of you.”
+
+A half hour passed and still there was no sign of the missing David. The
+foreman came in--visibly agitated.
+
+“Get ready, every last one of you,” he ordered. “Either the boy is lost
+or met with some accident. You must find him. Shout as you go and those
+of you who have guns fire them. Scatter out far and wide over the
+country. Those of you who find or see nothing come back after dark. I
+will pay twenty-five milreis to the man who finds him or brings back the
+first news of him. Now get your bottles; the cook will fill them with
+coffee and give you each a package of food. Then hurry away up the
+trail.”
+
+The men departed immediately to do as they were directed. Not long
+after, they filed into the forest, alert for any sign or clue that would
+be of value to them in looking for the missing man. From time to time
+some of them branched off the main path until they had spread out in a
+fan-shaped formation that combed the forest in a thorough manner so far
+as it went. They kept calling and occasionally there was the report of a
+gun.
+
+Before long, however, they were out of hearing of one another.
+Therefore, it was not until long after dark, when the last man had
+straggled back into camp, that they knew that the search had been
+fruitless.
+
+The new trail that David had started that morning had been discovered,
+but darkness had come before it could be followed to its end; and they
+brought back the empty pail--nothing more.
+
+The uneasiness of mid-afternoon now gave way to consternation. A hundred
+explanations were forthcoming to account for his disappearance. Everyone
+seemed greatly concerned, but most of all Dom Carlos, the camp foreman.
+From the obscure position of “nobody” David had suddenly risen to be the
+most important person in the outfit. In contrast to the aloofness with
+which he had still been regarded by a few of the men, they now all
+joined in extolling his courage and good qualities and pledged
+themselves that he must be found at all hazards. The monetary reward was
+tripled to give further impetus to their efforts.
+
+Six men were sent out immediately after supper to light fires in the
+jungle and to keep them blazing all night, to serve as beacons in the
+event that the wanderer should be trying to find his way in the
+darkness. They went in pairs and followed widely diverging trails. And
+when they returned at dawn the others who had slept in camp started out,
+this time, however, spreading in all directions to cover so much of the
+country as possible.
+
+Foremost among the searchers was Miguel. He had not fully recovered from
+his encounter with the crocodile; his foot still pained him at times;
+but, thanks to David’s ministrations, he had the use of it to a
+considerable extent. It was he who had found the new trail and had
+followed it until darkness made it impossible to go farther the previous
+evening. He had returned the pail and collected the first reward. And
+now he was determined to take up the search where he had been compelled
+to drop it.
+
+The men had been told to carry food for one day only and to come back
+that night. But the stock of provisions on Miguel’s back was sufficient
+for three days; and, having no gun, he carried his bow and a dozen
+arrows in his pack.
+
+The grim expression on his face plainly showed that he was determined to
+find David; he owed him a debt of gratitude he could scarcely repay in
+any other manner, but, unfortunately, he had never thought of it in that
+light. What he did think of and looked forward to was a meeting in some
+far-off spot where he would have the opportunity to settle old scores,
+safe from the prying eyes of others.
+
+Alone in the towering forest, with only the silent trees as witnesses,
+it would be easy to dispose of the one obstacle that stood between him
+and complete leadership of the men. Once before, when the opportunity
+had been within his grasp, fate had intervened to rob him of his
+victory; that was when the crocodile had attacked him instead of David
+after the latter had entered the water. Now, he had all the advantage.
+Better for David that he remain forever lost in the forest than be found
+by the vengeful Miguel.
+
+The first day passed rapidly, for a man hunt was a new experience and it
+was a fascinating occupation. He scanned the forest floor, the
+tree-trunks, and the lower growth for any traces that would aid him in
+his search.
+
+On the second afternoon Miguel found the fire where David had roasted
+the armadillo. That encouraged him. He was on the right track. And he
+redoubled his efforts, as does the hound when the scent grows hotter.
+His eyes glowed with a strange fire at the thought that he might at any
+moment catch sight of his quarry.
+
+David had learned the truth of the saying that bad luck is apt to grow
+worse; Miguel had never even heard it, but that did not exempt him from
+its application. What both had yet to learn was that luck, particularly
+bad luck, was only too often the result of some act for which they were
+fully responsible. The beating Miguel had received and the narrowly
+avoided drowning had been bad enough; but worse was to come.
+
+He awoke on the third morning to discover that his remaining food supply
+had disappeared during the night, and the completeness with which it had
+vanished made it evident that a colony of ants had done the work. That
+was exasperating, but there was game to be shot with arrows, so the
+situation was not serious.
+
+After that came the realization that the search was extending over a
+wider territory and greater period of time than he had expected. And he
+began to wonder if he should find David, after all.
+
+It was that night, however, that he felt the merciless judgment of the
+forest in all the impartial rigor which was its law. Those who sought to
+ferret out its secrets must pay the penalty and Miguel was no exception.
+
+It swooped down upon him in the same guise it had assumed when it fell
+upon David, and while his teeth beat a tattoo, or as the hot blood
+coursed throbbingly through his veins, he began to comprehend the
+seriousness of the mission on which he had embarked, and to wonder if
+the purpose was worth the cost.
+
+The fever ran its usual course. Miguel wandered about in a dazed
+condition and when there was finally a lull in the onslaught he found
+himself in an unenviable predicament. He too was lost, and for the first
+time in his life.
+
+With that realization came the feeling of utter loneliness. Never before
+had he felt so completely forsaken, so bewildered, so hopeless. He
+longed for the sound of a voice, a glimpse of a friendly face, or the
+touch of a sympathetic hand.
+
+It was terrible, this being lost and alone in the silent, heartless
+jungle that gave no quarter, that knew not the words pity or mercy.
+Gaunt spectres rose on every side; hideous naked Indians pierced him
+through with their poisoned darts; serpents struck with envenomed fangs;
+and jaguars of enormous size crouched behind each tree-trunk for the
+fatal spring.
+
+It had always been thus. It would always be thus. The fever-crazed brain
+of a lone man, lost in the tropical jungle, could conjure pictures
+without end.
+
+As the days passed Miguel’s desperation increased. All thoughts of
+malevolence vanished. If he found David now he would rush to him
+joyfully. It would mean companionship, perhaps even salvation. Anything,
+anyone to banish the horror of a living death alone in the treacherous
+forest.
+
+It was at this point that Miguel heard the twittering of the ant wrens,
+and well he knew what their excited cries meant. They had discovered an
+ant army on the march and had gathered in numbers to profit by the
+marauders’ depredations.
+
+The sound of their calls, even if they were only birds, came as a
+blessed relief to the man driven frantic by the breathless silence of
+the forest. To see, to be near any living thing, would be infinitely
+better than the dread loneliness. He would go toward the chorus of
+voices that his fever-dulled brain pictured as possible saviors of his
+reason.
+
+Before long he reached the far-flung lines of ants that served as scouts
+on the flanks of the main army. The organization and discipline of the
+insects was as wonderful as it was terrible to the victims, for it
+precluded all possibility of escape.
+
+Miguel stopped to look at the black ribbons flowing over the forest
+floor. Thin lines branched off from the main arteries every few yards;
+these explored each leaf and crevice, ascending even to the tops of the
+tallest trees in their insatiable quest of victims.
+
+In front of the sweeping mass and on both sides was a horde of
+terror-stricken creeping, crawling and hopping creatures making frantic
+efforts to escape from inevitable doom. There were rhinoceros beetles
+with huge antler-like growths on their fore-bodies; centipedes eight
+inches long; scorpions wildly lashing their tails armed with poisonous
+curved stings; great hairy tarantulas, wood frogs, and many other living
+things. Some crawled to the topmost branches of the lower undergrowth of
+ferns and like vegetation and remained there motionless during a brief
+respite; but they were always discovered and routed by the ants. Others
+fled precipitately up the tree-trunks; and still others came out of
+their hiding-places only to curl up sullenly and to await the end.
+
+Suddenly the ant army divided. Scouts had in some mysterious manner
+brought back the intelligence of an unusual find and the main column had
+promptly responded with reinforcements. Miguel saw and understood. At
+the same time, the ant birds that had first attracted his attention set
+up a furious chatter. Here was the opportunity to see something of an
+unusual nature.
+
+Miguel crawled upon a great prostrate tree-trunk in order to have a
+better view of what was going on. It was toward this log that the ants
+were rushing in a black sheet. And it was there the birds were scolding
+in anguish.
+
+About the first thing Miguel saw when he attained the top of the log was
+the body of a man lying on the ground as if dead. The hands covered the
+face so that he could not see it, but he recognized the clothing and
+knew that it could belong to none other than David Jones.
+
+“_Camarada!_” he cried, at the same time dropping down beside the
+motionless figure. “It is I, Miguel, who have found you. _Por dios_, and
+just in time.”
+
+It required all his depleted strength to raise David to his feet; then
+he took the limp form in his arms and slowly carried it to safety--out
+of reach of the ravenous horde that sensed the intrusion and sent
+skirmishing lines dashing in all directions in frantic efforts to
+locate the prize so suddenly snatched from its grasp.
+
+David opened his eyes slowly. When he saw the man who had just deposited
+him on the ground, puffing hard from his exertion, he stared in
+amazement. Then the remembrance of something dreadful came back to him
+in a flash. He weakly raised his arms and placed his hands over his
+face.
+
+“Oh, the ants, the ants,” he moaned. “They are all over me. I can feel
+their bites--they are killing me and--I can’t get away. I can’t get over
+the log.”
+
+“No, they’re not,” Miguel panted, trying to soothe him. “You are safe
+now. I will not let them get you. Look, there isn’t one on you; they’re
+far away, on the other side of the log, and I’ll carry you farther
+before they come near here.”
+
+“But I can feel them, on my hands and face--everywhere,” David
+persisted.
+
+“Sh!” Miguel said. “Keep quiet and everything will be all right.”
+
+It was some time before the delirious man could be calmed. But Miguel
+finally succeeded in reassuring him that the danger that had threatened
+was now past, and with the realization that he was safe from the ants
+came a measure of strength.
+
+“I was sure something would happen--someone would find me before they
+got to me,” David said faintly after a while. Miguel had propped him up
+against the base of a tree while he plucked and prepared to roast a
+_mutum_ that looked like a good-sized turkey; he had just shot the bird
+in the tree right over their heads. “I never gave up hope and, Miguel,
+I’m glad it was you who found me.”
+
+“Me?” in surprise. “Why did you want me to find you?”
+
+“I don’t know. I just wanted it to be you--maybe just to prove to the
+others that we could be good friends if it came down to rock bottom.”
+
+“Umph!” Miguel’s thoughts were travelling in strange channels. He felt
+queer as he thought of the purpose he had in mind when he started on the
+long search. What if he had found David the first few days after leaving
+camp?
+
+“I’m glad I found you, too, when I did,” he said. “But neither one of us
+has anything much to be glad about.”
+
+“What do you mean? I feel better already. And I’m hungry. We can start
+back tomorrow if I can eat as much of that bird as I think I can. They
+told me that you’re the best bushman in the crowd, so we’ll take a short
+cut back to camp,” David said confidently.
+
+“That’s just it! I didn’t want to tell you right away, but now I can’t
+help it. We can’t start back to camp because--because--” Miguel
+hesitated as if reluctant to proceed. “We can’t start back because I’m
+lost, too.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+THE CHARGE OF THE INDIANS
+
+
+When Miguel admitted that he, too, was lost, the intelligence came as a
+great shock to David. One of his first thoughts upon seeing his rescuer
+was that at last his aimless, heart-breaking wanderings in the forest
+had come to an end. The walk back to camp might be of several days’
+duration, but that did not matter. It made a difference whether one was
+walking in hopeless desperation because there was nothing else to do, or
+whether there was a definite goal to reach and one had the assurance of
+being on the right track. Now they were little better off than before.
+However, he suppressed the bitter disappointment he felt and tried to
+smile.
+
+“How did that happen?” he asked. “I thought you couldn’t lose your way.”
+
+“It was the fever,” Miguel said dejectedly. “Before that I knew where I
+was every minute of the time. Now I can’t remember how I got here or how
+many days I spent wandering around before my head cleared.”
+
+“Well, the two of us together ought to find some way of getting
+out--when I’m able to travel. And it’s better than being all alone.”
+
+“Yes, the lonesomeness nearly drove me crazy. It was terrible. It was
+the one thing I couldn’t stand. Fever, hunger--anything but that.”
+
+Miguel turned the bird, which had been impaled on a stick, and when it
+had browned to a uniform color on all sides he brought it to the tree
+where David sat and stuck the stick into the ground. They cut off pieces
+of the tender flesh with their knives, but David’s appetite was not
+nearly so good as he had thought, while the absence of salt robbed the
+meat of much of its flavor.
+
+“I could open one of the cartridges in my revolver,” he said, “and use
+the powder for salt; but we might need it more to shoot with before we
+get out of this.”
+
+Miguel agreed that they had better save the ammunition for the purpose
+for which it was intended.
+
+“How do you feel now?” he asked.
+
+“I knew I’d feel better, and I do,” David replied. “But the fever left
+me all wrung out like a wet rag. Wish we had some quinine!”
+
+“Quinine is good, but _guanabara_ is better. The root grows in the
+forest. I hunted for it every day but couldn’t find it. I’ll look again.
+Maybe there is some near here. But first we need a shelter. We have to
+stay here a few days at least. You are too weak to walk far. I’ll build
+a place to sleep first and then I’ll go in search of the medicine.”
+
+David wanted to help in the construction of their shelter, but that, of
+course, was out of the question. Even the sitting posture had tired him
+so much that he slid to the ground, where he lay watching Miguel as he
+proceeded to erect the structure that was to house them until they
+should resume their wandering.
+
+First he cut stout poles and fastened them to either side of two thick
+trees that stood about ten feet apart, by tying them to the trunks with
+strips of bark. Then he fastened cross-pieces to the poles, thus making
+a platform that was shoulder high above the ground. He piled dry palm
+leaves on this for a bed. After that he fastened two other poles a few
+feet above the platform and covered them with green palm leaves that
+hung down far over the sides, forming a roof.
+
+The work required only a short time and the shelter that had been
+provided was entirely practicable and serviceable. Miguel surveyed it
+proudly as he explained its good points.
+
+“It’s up high enough to be out of reach of snakes, scorpions, spiders
+and most of the mosquitoes; they all like to stay close to the ground.
+And if it should happen to rain, the roof will keep us dry,” he said.
+
+David replied that he thought it was fine and would like to try it. The
+springy platform with the thick layer of dry leaves would be more
+comfortable than the hard ground.
+
+Miguel helped him into the aerial perch and then went to hunt for the
+_guanabara_ root that would cure them both of the fever. He did not
+return until shortly before dark, and then it was only to report
+failure. However, he would go again the following morning.
+
+After the Brazilian, too, had climbed into the platform bed the two lay
+awake and talked far into the night. One plan after another of escape
+from their predicament was discussed, and finally sleep overtook them
+before anything definite had been decided on.
+
+The next day found both greatly refreshed, although David was still too
+ill to stand without assistance. But the change that had come over
+Miguel was remarkable; he cared for his companion in the best way he
+knew how and was most solicitous for his welfare.
+
+They ate pieces of the bird left from the previous night and then the
+Brazilian again went to look for the medicinal root. This time he was
+successful. He came back shortly before noon and announced his arrival
+with a shout of triumph.
+
+“Here it is at last,” he called as David peered out from under the
+ragged palm-leaf roof. “Look! It is the guanabara. It will cure your
+fever and mine. Thank _dios_, I found it!”
+
+Miguel held several fleshy roots in his hand. They resembled slender
+sweet potatoes, but were of a bluish color.
+
+“Let me have one,” David said feebly. “I’d eat anything to get rid of
+this awful feeling.”
+
+“Wait! You can’t eat it raw, because it’s deadly poison that way. It has
+to be fixed first. Watch me. Some time you might have to do it when
+you’re alone.”
+
+He laid a broad, green leaf on the ground and then scraped the roots
+with his knife until they had been reduced to a heap of pulp. He took
+the mass in his hands and pressed out the surplus juice, leaving a ball
+of doughy material; this was tossed into the fire and turned with a
+stick until it had baked thoroughly and evenly all around. When it had
+assumed a black color, which was in half an hour, he pronounced it
+ready for use.
+
+Miguel now brought water in a folded leaf and scraped some of the
+medicine into it, and gave it to David to drink. When the particles
+dissolved they turned the water red, but the concoction was tasteless.
+
+They drank the guanabara each hour, and before many doses had been taken
+its effect began to make itself felt. It was bracing, even stimulating,
+and all symptoms of malaria vanished as if by magic. Within two days
+David was able to accompany Miguel on his daily hunt for food.
+
+Fortunately, they were now in a section of the country where game was
+not wanting. That indicated that they must be near a large river, for in
+the dry season the animals were always more abundant in a strip several
+miles wide bordering the larger streams.
+
+“We’ll get a good supply of food; then we’ll hunt the river. If we can
+locate it we can get out,” Miguel said as they started on their tramp
+through the forest.
+
+“Will we follow the river?” David asked.
+
+“No. We’ll make a raft out of bamboo and float down.”
+
+“I guess our luck has changed at last. Soon we’ll be back in camp.”
+
+“We have to find the river first. When we have found it, who knows where
+it will take us to? It might take us right back to camp, or many leagues
+away from it.”
+
+Miguel had his bow and a number of arrows. David was following close
+behind him; it was his duty to mark their trail by snapping twigs as
+they went along. Their shelter was too comfortable to lose so long as
+they remained in the locality.
+
+Before long they came upon a flock of four large black birds feeding in
+the top of a tree. They were like the one Miguel had shot right after
+finding David, and moved about heavily as they fed on the fruits that
+grew on the branches.
+
+The Brazilian took careful aim and released the cord of the bow. There
+was a sharp snap and the arrow sped whining through the air. Just before
+reaching the bird the shaft struck one of the numerous limbs a glancing
+blow; that was sufficient to deflect the missile from its path and it
+passed the mark by a goodly margin and continued its flight up above the
+trees and out of sight.
+
+The birds were not frightened, but continued eating as if they had not
+noticed anything of an unusual nature in their midst. This was
+fortunate, for it permitted Miguel to take a second shot; this time the
+arrow found its mark and a great _mutum_ fell crashing to the ground
+while the other three flew away.
+
+The bird was dead when they reached it. They removed the arrow carefully
+and then went to look for the first one that had been shot and gone
+astray, for they had only a limited number and the time might come when
+every one of them counted.
+
+David thought the task of looking for the slender shaft in the thick
+jungle was hopeless, but Miguel assured him that he had marked its
+course as it soared over the trees.
+
+“You see,” he added, “each one has a few bright-colored feathers on the
+end in addition to the black ones that make it fly straight.”
+
+“Yes, I see them. You put them there for ornaments, I know.”
+
+“No, they are not ornaments. They are put there as markers. Look! There
+is the lost one now.”
+
+David saw what looked like a brilliant flower among the deep tints of
+the undergrowth. It was the arrow sticking in the ground where it had
+fallen; the red feather made it conspicuous among the green vegetation.
+They recovered it and replaced it in the pack.
+
+A short time later they were startled by a chorus of “Oh’s” that came
+from the treetops not far ahead. The wails came in a rising crescendo,
+as if their makers were suffering intense pain or were in great fear.
+
+“Flying monkeys,” Miguel announced gleefully as he started on a run
+toward the sound. David followed and soon saw the cause of the
+disturbance in the form of small, grayish bodies hurtling through space
+is if indeed flying.
+
+The monkeys were leaping from tree to tree and swinging through the
+branches at an incredible rate of speed. When they jumped, the boughs
+sprang back into place with a _swish_ and the creatures landed with a
+thud, keeping the treetops bending and swaying as in a heavy wind. All
+the while they shrieked “Oh, oh, oh!” at the top of their voices.
+
+Miguel sent an arrow after the fleeing animals and by a lucky
+circumstance brought down one of them. It was unlike any monkey David
+had ever seen, with a round head and a body like a very large cat’s.
+The tail was long and bushy.
+
+They returned to the shelter and while the meat was roasting determined
+to start away early the following morning. They agreed that the rubber
+camp must be in a southeasterly direction from their position and they
+would therefore head that way, which was also the direction in which
+they hoped to find the river. It was true, the jungle was heaviest and
+progress would be slower; but, also, game was more abundant, and if they
+discovered the waterway it would save them days of walking in the end.
+If their calculations were correct the stream might even turn out to be
+a branch of the river on which the camp was situated.
+
+The forest changed considerably in character as they advanced through
+it. Palms grew more abundantly than before and occasionally they saw a
+clump of orchids perched high overhead with sprays of gorgeous blossoms
+that drooped from among the leathery foliage like yard-long, brilliant
+plumes.
+
+David had just stopped to look at an exceptional cluster the size of a
+tub and with panicles of deep orange flowers resembling a hundred
+gorgeous butterflies. Miguel stopped at the same time and laid a warning
+finger on his companion’s arm. He was staring straight ahead and,
+looking in that direction, David saw a dark form shaped like a cow
+silently appear from behind a clump of low palms. So soon as it was in
+full view it stopped, turned and faced its back trail, raised its head
+and sniffed the air. It had a very long nose that moved up and down as
+it drew short breaths. Then it turned quickly and faced at right angles
+to its previous position. At about the same time a volley of arrows
+struck the animal with a crash and as it staggered away a chorus of wild
+yells rent the air and a number of Indians rushed into view.
+
+Miguel dropped to the ground the instant the arrows struck the tapir and
+David was not long in following his example. They were just in time and
+for the moment the Indians did not see them.
+
+The stricken animal lurched forward only a few yards before it crumpled
+and fell in a heap, and soon the savages were upon it, dispatching it
+with clubs and spears.
+
+That was the one opportunity that the white men must not lose if they
+hoped to escape with their lives, for in the excitement of the moment
+the Indians would not notice their movements.
+
+Miguel began to crawl stealthily toward a nearby clump of thorny bamboo,
+David following at his heels, and not until they reached the inside of
+the dense growth did they breathe a sigh of relief.
+
+The Indians continued giving their wild calls, as if signalling to other
+members of their party, and before long numbers of them began to come in
+from various directions. They came singly and in groups and still the
+yelling continued.
+
+They were a savage-looking lot, entirely nude save only for necklaces of
+teeth and sticks tufted with feathers that they wore through large
+perforations in their ears. Their brown bodies were painted in irregular
+lines and dots of black, dark blue and red.
+
+Each carried a bow and a number of arrows in his hands. Some also had
+long-handled spears and sword-like weapons made of tough palmwood.
+
+Several of the savages began to skin and cut up the tapir while others
+went to gather firewood. First, however, each man disposed of his arms
+by sticking them into the ground in a little cluster; that prevented the
+possibility of their being stepped upon and broken.
+
+“They are going to camp here for the night,” Miguel whispered. “We’ll
+have to stay here until they leave.”
+
+“That suits me. We can watch them but they can’t see us,” David replied.
+He was glad of the opportunity of seeing the Indians engaged in their
+pursuits in a natural manner, unconscious of the fact that they were
+being observed.
+
+“We’ll be all right so long as they don’t see us. We have to keep
+absolutely still.”
+
+“Suppose they look in here through the hole by which we came in? Let’s
+close it!” David suggested.
+
+“Yes,” Miguel agreed. “We must close it or one of them might happen to
+glance in.”
+
+They pulled the thorn-covered branches together, very slowly and
+carefully, until the opening was completely blocked. They were now
+secure from discovery so long as they remained quiet. As he thought of
+this David also thought of the innumerable things that could happen to
+call attention to their hiding-place. Suppose one of them had to cough
+or sneeze; or what if a scorpion, tarantula or snake should creep in to
+dispute their quarters with them? He dared not think further along these
+lines.
+
+The Indians had started a fire by rubbing together two sticks until they
+glowed, then applying them to dry leaves and blowing the heap into a
+blaze. Then they piled on wood and before long the roaring flames were
+leaping high into the air. The carcass of the tapir had been hacked into
+pieces; some of the chunks of meat were now thrown upon the fire to
+roast.
+
+“They belong to the Parintintin tribe,” Miguel said as he watched them.
+“They are headhunters. They are the ones who attack the rubber camp at
+times. But they haven’t bothered it lately, because they were beaten
+badly in the last fight. But this may be a war party going there again.”
+
+“What made Dom Carlos tell Rice, then, that the Indians were killing all
+the men?” David asked quickly.
+
+Miguel looked confused for a moment. “He, he--meant others, not these,”
+he stammered.
+
+David gave him a sharp look.
+
+“Oh, I see,” he said and resumed watching the antics of the mob before
+him.
+
+“Here is our chance to get more arrows,” David said suddenly. Several of
+the savages had placed their weapons in the ground beside their place of
+concealment. “Do you need any more?”
+
+“No!” Miguel was horror-stricken. “Don’t touch them. They would miss
+them and then find us.”
+
+“Well, I won’t take any, then, but I’m going to have some fun. Wait
+until it’s dark,” David whispered with a chuckle.
+
+By the time night had fallen some of the meat had been charred to the
+desired degree and the Indians raked it out with long poles; after it
+had cooled somewhat they tore off strips and began to eat. So soon as
+one chunk was taken from the embers a new one was thrown into them. And
+all the time individuals were coming and going, collecting fuel or
+engaged in other enterprises.
+
+The scene was a weird yet fascinating one. The lithe savages, outlined
+against the glare of the fire; the flickering light playing on their
+bare skin; the dark tree-trunks; and beyond all this the inky blackness
+of night, made a picture never to be forgotten. It was one of those
+things suggested by the sombre, mysterious, silent jungle when viewed
+from the open reaches of a great river, but which was forever veiled to
+those who lacked the trepidity to penetrate into its depths.
+
+The two dared not leave their cover for fear of running into some of the
+prowling savages. But when it seemed that all of them were busily
+engaged in consuming as much of the charred meat as possible David
+worked his way carefully to the edge of the barrier and reaching through
+it removed two arrows from one of the clusters and placed them in
+another one; then he took two from the latter one and inserted them in
+the first group to replace the ones he had taken away. Miguel was badly
+frightened at this action and tried to prevent it.
+
+“I want to see what will happen when they discover the exchange,” David
+whispered. “It can’t do any harm.”
+
+Scarcely had he crawled back to the center of the bamboo screen when
+pandemonium broke loose around the fire.
+
+The group had just been joined by one of the tribesmen, who rushed into
+the circle of light, talking and gesticulating wildly.
+
+“I told you; I told you not to do it,” Miguel gasped in terror. “He saw
+you and he’s telling them about it.”
+
+“Look!” David, too, was trembling. The speaker was pointing their way
+and the others were looking in their direction, as if trying to pierce
+the blackness with their eyes.
+
+In a moment every man was on his feet and rushing toward his bow and
+arrows.
+
+The fire and the food were forgotten. The clamor of voices was stilled.
+Only one thought was uppermost in the mind of each Indian and that was
+to get hold of his weapons before the passing of another second.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+THE BATTLE IN THE JUNGLE
+
+
+The thing that had happened to end the feast of the Parintintins so
+abruptly was that a scout, of which each party always kept numbers on
+its outskirts, had rushed into their midst with news of a startling
+character. He had discovered the approach of a war party of another
+tribe which doubtless had been dogging their steps all day long and were
+now forming for the attack.
+
+Warfare among the tribes of the Amazon is as unceasing as it is
+merciless. Each, in attempts to extend the boundaries of its territory
+or hunting-grounds, looks with suspicion and resentment upon its
+neighbors and by every means known to it tries to exterminate, or at
+least reduce in numbers the populace around it, thereby increasing its
+own measure of safety as well as its food supply.
+
+It may, or it may not have been fortunate for the two cowering in the
+clump of thorny bamboo that the attack came when it did, for in the
+intense excitement that prevailed those of the savages who had time,
+flew to their arms and gathered them up in one swoop; so the interchange
+was not noticed. Then the dusky forms darted into the darkness that
+surrounded the firelight like an impenetrable wall.
+
+But before the last one had disappeared from view there burst upon the
+silent night a chorus of cries and screams accompanied by the deep beats
+of drums; and at the same instant a deluge of arrows hissed and whined
+through the air in pursuit of the fleeing figures.
+
+The arrows rattled about the clump of bamboo in which the two men were
+hiding. Soon after, a line of howling savages charged out of the
+darkness, flitted through the lighted area and disappeared again in the
+gloom on the other side of the fire.
+
+David drew his revolver and held it ready for action, for the first time
+since Miguel had found him. He had saved the few precious cartridges he
+possessed for the time when it might be necessary to defend their lives
+and that time, he thought, had arrived. But the swarm of Indians swept
+past them all unaware of their presence. How the savages could see in
+the darkness was beyond his ability to explain; but see they did, or
+otherwise they soon should have killed themselves by colliding with the
+trees and many other obstructions in the forest.
+
+The pursuit continued far beyond, as was evidenced by the shouts that
+grew constantly fainter and then died in the distance. The Parintintins
+had been routed completely and many of them had probably perished in the
+unexpected assault; the survivors, doubtless, were scattered hopelessly
+and were either in hiding or fleeing for their lives.
+
+“We’d better get away from here,” David whispered, “but they went right
+in the direction we want to go.”
+
+“Don’t be in too big a hurry,” Miguel admonished him. “The forest is
+full of Indians. I know them. There are some of them right around us
+here. We can’t leave until we’re sure all have gone.”
+
+The wisdom of his words was demonstrated a moment later, when a shadowy
+form flitted out of the night and made for one of the clusters of arrows
+that had been deserted when the charge came. He had hardly reached the
+spot when there came the snarl of an arrow, followed by a dull thud, and
+the Indian pitched headlong to the ground.
+
+It was as Miguel had said. Unseen eyes were watching the fire in
+anticipation of the return of some of the routed savages for their
+effects. But greatly to the relief of the onlookers, no others came.
+
+After an hour’s nerve-racking silence the crackling of twigs told of the
+return of the victorious party and presently the vanguard, in small
+groups, came into view. They were talking and gesticulating wildly; then
+half a dozen others who had acted as sentinels around the fire joined
+them. Soon more came until there must have been over a hundred.
+
+They piled wood on the fire until they had a blaze roaring toward the
+tree tops, while a train of sparks, like miniature comets, soared high
+above the forest. That served as a signal to announce victory, and after
+a short time a group of women and children appeared out of the jungle
+and joined the warriors. The women carried baskets on their backs; they
+were filled with calabashes, and packages wrapped in green leaves.
+
+When all had arrived the celebration of the victory began. The remainder
+of the tapir was placed in the fire to roast; bundles were unwrapped,
+revealing quantities of fish, Brazil nuts, cassava bread and corn.
+
+The women took full charge of preparing the food, the men spending the
+time in animated conversation and argument.
+
+When the meat was roasted they all sat around the fire and ate. Water
+had been brought in some of the calabashes from which they frequently
+took long drinks.
+
+The two watchers began to think that the eating would last all night
+when one of the Indians sprang to his feet and began to gesticulate with
+his arms. He went through the performance of pursuing and slaying an
+enemy in such a graphic way that they could not fail to understand his
+meaning. When he finished another jumped up and went through a similar
+pantomime; and after him, another and then another until each of the
+warriors had demonstrated just how he had dealt with at least one
+Parintintin.
+
+David felt that if the Indians were telling the truth it had gone hard
+indeed with the pursued; but he suspected that most of the versions were
+given merely for the dramatic effect, because the victors outnumbered
+the vanquished two to one.
+
+When the last speaker had finished the men started a dance around the
+fire, while the women and children withdrew into the background to
+watch. Some of the dancers picked up empty calabashes and beat them like
+drums. All of them shouted at the top of their voices as they leaped
+about the blaze, the ruddy light reflected in flickering patches on
+their bare, brown bodies.
+
+Day was breaking when the assemblage gradually broke up into small
+groups that lay down on the ground to sleep. Only two of the men
+remained awake near the now rapidly dying fire, apparently for the
+purpose of warning the sleepers if there should be a surprise attack.
+
+David and Miguel were in an unenviable predicament. Their limbs ached
+from long remaining in their cramped quarters in the bamboo clump. They
+could not move about and they dared not go to sleep. The faintest
+rustling noise, the slightest movement might arouse the Indians and
+cause an investigation. And they knew what discovery would mean.
+
+It was noon when the first of the sleepers began to stir and within a
+few minutes the whole party was moving about. Their actions were now in
+great contrast to those of the early morning. They seemed in a hurry to
+get away.
+
+The men collected their bows and arrows and the women packed the
+remnants of food and the calabashes into their baskets. Then the whole
+party vanished in the forest, heading in the direction in which the
+Parintintins had fled.
+
+“I thought they were going to stay forever.” David sighed with relief.
+“Now I can stretch my legs. I’m asleep all over, except my head.”
+
+“Roll over a few times,” Miguel advised, “and you’ll feel better.”
+
+They both did this for a few moments and then crawled out into the open.
+Once on their feet, they lost no time in leaving the locality.
+
+After walking rapidly for an hour, Miguel, who was in the lead, stopped
+suddenly.
+
+“Listen,” he said, raising one hand.
+
+David stopped and listened intently.
+
+“I hear a faint noise, like a breeze in the tree-tops,” he said.
+
+“Yes. That’s it. But it’s not wind, it’s water.”
+
+“Yes, it is water. I can hear it better now. It must be a big river.”
+
+“With a high fall in it. Only a great waterfall could make such a
+noise.”
+
+“What will we do?” David asked.
+
+“Go to it. It’s just what we want. We’ll make a raft and drift down with
+the current.” Miguel’s dark face lighted up with enthusiasm. “It will be
+easier than having to walk.”
+
+“First, let’s eat. I’m almost starved,” David suggested.
+
+“Me, too. But I’m afraid to start a fire. Better wait until we get to
+the river,” Miguel said apprehensively. “There can’t be too much
+distance between the Indians and us to suit me.”
+
+They tramped on. David was now trailbreaker. They took turns at this for
+the vegetation was growing heavier constantly and the leader had to use
+his knife frequently to cut through the sprouts and creepers that
+disputed their way.
+
+It was after cutting a path through one of the thickets that David
+caught sight of some living creature disappearing among the dense
+growth. He did not know what it was, for the glimpse had been a fleeting
+one, so he stopped to tell Miguel, but before he had finished the
+sentence an arrow tore its way through the leaves a few inches on one
+side of them.
+
+They needed no further proof to tell them that the vanishing form had
+been that of an Indian. Dashing back over their trail they fled in a
+wide detour of the spot and then advanced more cautiously. There was no
+question but that the savage would take up the pursuit. And a long,
+quavering note like that of a forest dove that reached their ears was a
+signal to other Indians who must be in the neighborhood.
+
+A second call, low and plaintive, came in answer to the first. It was
+directly in front of them. They dropped into the shadow between two
+buttressed roots of a giant tree just in time to see two nude savages
+appear and make their way stealthily toward the spot from which the
+first one had signalled.
+
+“The forest is full of Indians,” Miguel whispered when they had
+disappeared. “They are calling one another for a discussion. Then they
+will try to catch us.”
+
+“Let’s go, then. The bigger the start we have the harder it will be for
+them to find us,” David panted. “If we stay here they’re sure to catch
+us.”
+
+“The river! The river!” Miguel whispered. “We must get to the river.
+Come on.”
+
+They darted away at a rapid pace, making toward the roaring sound that
+was rapidly growing louder. The going was terrible. Instead of stopping
+to use the knife in clearing a path as before, they crashed through the
+dense clumps of dwarf bamboo, matted ferns and thick sprouts. The sharp
+thorns covering some of the growths slashed their clothing into ribbons
+and tore into their flesh; and more than once they fell to the ground
+when creepers, like steel wires, encircled their feet and tripped them.
+
+The cooing voices of the Indians were not far behind them. Occasionally
+they heard the breaking of branches and the swishing of the leaves where
+the pursuing savages fought their way through the jungle. It was
+fortunate that the vegetation was so dense that they could not be seen
+and thus afford easy targets for the arrows of the forest men.
+
+“It can’t be far now,” Miguel said encouragingly. The roar of the water
+had become so loud that he was compelled to shout to make himself heard.
+
+David was too breathless from his exertions to talk, so he nodded his
+head in assent. They could not hear their pursuers now, but there was no
+doubt about their being hot on the trail, which they would not leave
+until the fugitives had been overtaken.
+
+At last the two fought their way through the last living wall of green
+and stood on the brink of the river. They were a sorry sight, bleeding
+from numerous cuts and bruises, their clothing in shreds, and on the
+point of exhaustion.
+
+Before them lay a deep gorge through which the river, of considerable
+size, rushed over a bed littered with huge boulders. There was no
+crossing the stream; even a boat would have been short-lived in the
+maelstrom that hissed and boiled a hundred feet below them.
+
+They took in the situation at a glance, and it seemed as if they were in
+a worse dilemma than before. The Indians were approaching on one side,
+cutting off retreat, and the river prevented further flight in that
+direction.
+
+There was no time to ponder the situation. Miguel peered over the
+embankment. Then, beckoning to David to follow, he slid over the edge,
+held to it for a moment and let go.
+
+David looked down just in time to see his companion stop against a flat
+rock twenty feet below and in a moment he had landed by his side. Then
+followed a second drop into a clump of bushes; it was higher than the
+first but the springy boughs broke the force of the fall.
+
+The remainder of the descent was easier. There was a slant to the wall
+down which they slid to the rocks on the very edge of the water.
+
+A hasty survey of the situation showed that the sides of the gorge
+up-stream were the more precipitous; and the pathway on the margin of
+the seething flood was safer, so they started in that direction,
+clambering over the slippery boulders where a misstep meant a plunge
+into the water below. What they sought was a place where it would be
+impossible to be seen from above, and when this had been attained they
+stopped to rest.
+
+Ahead of them was the marvellous spectacle of a cataract dashing over a
+series of steplike rocks and ending in a sheer fall ten feet or more in
+height.
+
+The prospect was discouraging in spite of momentary safety. If they
+should turn downstream they would become easy marks for the Indians, who
+must have reached the brink of the gorge by that time; up-stream was the
+wall of roaring water, but toward it they went.
+
+“Come,” David shouted to Miguel, who was close at his heels. “I want to
+see the falls and--and--what’s under them.”
+
+Miguel did not understand the meaning of the words but when they were
+abreast of the curtain of water he saw the facts at a glance.
+
+The falling body of crystal liquid did not, of course, hug closely the
+stone wall over which it rushed. The momentum of the water was so great
+that it carried it clear of the ledge a distance of several feet. It was
+just as David had expected, provided----
+
+He crawled close to the edge of the fall and then gave a shout that
+Miguel heard even above the rumble that was all but deafening.
+
+At the base of any cataract one may find either of two things: a deep
+pool of whirling water or a mass of shattered rock fragments that has
+broken off the ledge above and lodged against the base of the wall. The
+latter is what David hoped to find and it is what he found.
+
+A ridge of splintered rock stretched from the edge of the water into the
+mist so far under the fall as they could see. If it continued,
+unbroken, to the other side, it would afford a means of crossing the
+stream.
+
+David ventured gingerly onto the jagged pathway. The stones were cold
+and wet and he had to crawl on hands and knees as there was not headroom
+to stand. So soon as he was well under way Miguel followed.
+
+It was a terrifying experience, justified only by a desperate situation.
+The sheet of clear water, streaked with green, shot over the crouching
+men with a thunderous roar, intensified by the cavity in which they
+found themselves. A cold mist saturated their ragged clothing and
+chilled them through; also, the vapor soon shut off their view in the
+direction from which they had come, enveloping them in a clammy fog that
+shut out the daylight. Swallows left their nests that had been plastered
+against the face of the wall and dashed away in the gloom with
+frightened twitters. Below, the water raged and boiled and tongues
+crested with foam leaped angrily toward the men as if trying to drag
+them into the cauldron below.
+
+Once David faltered; it seemed he could go no farther. But there was
+Miguel in back of him. He could not retreat and in so doing display a
+lack of courage before his companion. Hope for them lay in one direction
+only and that was straight ahead, even if at the same time it seemed to
+promise certain disaster.
+
+After what seemed like ages the gray twilight in front of them
+brightened and a strong wind fanned the face of the foremost man. The
+end of the perilous journey was in sight. And soon they had emerged
+from under the river and stood on the rocks that flanked the side,
+drenched, cold and shivering.
+
+“Thank heaven, we got through that all right,” David said between
+chattering teeth. “Do you think the Indians will follow?”
+
+“They would if they knew where we went. We have to keep out of sight,”
+Miguel replied. “But they wouldn’t come under the fall; they would go
+downstream and cross.”
+
+The two were compelled to remain in their present position until
+darkness came, screened from view of those on the other side by the
+clouds of mist that rose from the fall. They had an occasional glimpse,
+however, of the high bluff across the stream; it was dotted with the
+nude, brown forms of the savages, boldly outlined against the deep green
+vegetation.
+
+They selected a route that appeared climbable and when darkness had
+fallen, clambered to the top. From this position directly across the
+gorge they saw waving, flickering lights like huge fireflies weaving in
+and out among the trees far up and down the river; the Indians had
+lighted torches. They were mystified by the disappearance of the white
+men. But the search was still on and there was not the slightest
+indication that they had any intention of abandoning it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+THE TERROR OF THE ISLAND
+
+
+David and Miguel spent the night in the thick growth into which they had
+fought their way upon the coming of darkness. Their narrow escape from
+the savages; the long vigil in the bamboo clump; the day and two nights
+without food; and the uncertainty of their present plight, all combined
+to bring about a state of exhaustion that should have induced sleep so
+soon as they became convinced that the pursuit was not likely to extend
+to their side of the river.
+
+Sleep, however, did not come. The night was cold; it was the first
+warning of the coming change of seasons and the two men were numb long
+before the sun rose to dispel the chill gloom that had enveloped them.
+
+Daylight showed their surroundings to be not materially different from
+the ones they had just left on the other side of the river. There were
+the same kinds of trees, the same matted, thorny undergrowth; but the
+tangle was even denser--more nearly impenetrable.
+
+“Let’s start a fire,” David said, shaking and trembling with the cold.
+
+“No,” Miguel answered. His teeth, too, were rattling. “Not here, on
+account of the smoke; the Indians would see it.”
+
+“Indians or no Indians, I’m freezing,” David protested.
+
+“We’ll start walking right away. That will warm us up. The sun is coming
+up, too. Soon it will be hot.”
+
+They began to battle their way through the thickets and before long were
+perspiring from their exertions. The growth was generally so difficult
+to penetrate that they made slow progress.
+
+In one of the more open places they came upon a pair of large forest
+partridges; they were nearly the size of hens. Also they were stupid
+birds, and after Miguel had shot one of them the other remained looking
+at the men in curiosity, until a second arrow added it to their bag.
+
+“We ought to be far below the fall now,” David suggested. “Let’s go to
+the water; it might be easier walking. We can look across first to see
+if the Indians have come down this far.”
+
+Miguel offered no objection, so they made their way to the edge of the
+stream. They waited in hiding for some time but saw no sign of the
+savages. Far up the river, however, a cloud of smoke was ascending high
+above the treetops. The brown men of the forest had started fires in the
+hope of driving them out of their place of concealment.
+
+“It’s all right,” Miguel said, gazing intently at the smoke. “They’re
+still over there looking for us. They think we climbed a tree and are
+trying to smoke us out. We can go on.”
+
+The abrupt walls of the gorge on their side of the river were breaking
+down rapidly; on the other side they still towered high above the
+turbulent water.
+
+Stone and sand terraces replaced the thick jungle from which they had
+just emerged. But the thing that puzzled them was that the land seemed
+to end in a point just ahead. There appeared to be water in front and on
+both sides of them.
+
+Each looked at the other in silent apprehension, but not a word was
+spoken. They hastened down the open strip of land to its termination and
+then their fears were verified.
+
+A roaring rapid surged past on each side and met in front to form one
+broad, even more treacherous stream that sped away below. They were on
+an island. With this realization came also the knowledge that there was
+no escape from their present position, for no raft could long survive in
+the maelstrom that surrounded them.
+
+They could return to the mainland, it is true, by way of the precarious
+path under the fall; but there were the Indians to be considered, who
+would not give up the search for days, perhaps, even knowing where the
+fugitives had gone and fully aware of the fact that they had to come
+back the same way or remain marooned on the island.
+
+“Let’s cook the birds and eat,” David suggested. “I’m almost starved.”
+
+“The same here,” Miguel assented. “Then we’ll sleep. I can’t think now.
+Nothing we can do will make the fix we’re in any worse. So let’s eat and
+sleep. Tomorrow is another day.”
+
+And when the sun was high in the heavens on the following day they awoke
+much refreshed. They followed the riverbank, going up-stream on the far
+side of the island, for it had occurred to them that they might not be
+stranded after all. The channel they had discovered was perhaps another
+river instead of a branch of the one they had crossed.
+
+They walked close to the bank, for there the ground was open. When they
+had gone less than a mile, farther progress was blocked; they had
+reached the head of what was, after all, an island.
+
+“It _is_ an island, all right,” David said. “See where the stream
+divides and one side is as bad as the other.”
+
+“We have to get off somehow,” Miguel returned, “because we can’t use a
+raft in that water. We have to reach the mainland and then walk down
+below the rapids. But how are we going to do it?”
+
+“I’ll tell you,” David proposed; “how about crossing under the fall at
+night and slipping down the gorge. We can travel after dark and hide in
+the daytime until we’re too far away for the Indians to follow.”
+
+Miguel, while not enthusiastic over the plan, could offer no other to
+take its place, so they made their way to the other side to have a good
+view of the lay of the land and to form their plans accordingly.
+
+There were now no Indians in sight on the opposite bank, nor were there
+any signs of their presence. Therefore, they clambered down the side of
+the bluff to the edge of the waterfall.
+
+The water had fallen a great deal since they had come across. Instead of
+the thick stream shooting far out over the ledge, there was now a
+greatly reduced volume, so that it fell in a cascade that closely hugged
+the rock wall. The passage underneath the fall was closed. Their one
+avenue of escape to the mainland was blocked.
+
+“There’s only one thing to do,” Miguel said in disgust, “and that is to
+make ourselves as comfortable as possible until we can think of some way
+to get off the island or until something unexpected happens.”
+
+David agreed that there was no other course to pursue, and the lower end
+of the island being the more open, they decided to make camp there. They
+cleared a small space in the edge of the jungle, cut four saplings for
+corner-posts and built a rather substantial shelter, covered with a
+layer of palm-leaves on top and on all four sides, leaving only one
+opening for a doorway. Bunks were arranged along the walls and a
+fireplace built in front, of stones brought up from the riverbank.
+
+The domicile was designedly of sturdy construction for they did not know
+how long they would be compelled to occupy it.
+
+Then followed two days devoted to a thorough exploration of the island.
+It was small, not over three-quarters of a mile long, and less than a
+third as wide. Birds of many species were abundant and there was no
+difficulty in procuring all the meat that was needed. But there were no
+mammals of any size; if there had been monkeys in the tree-tops, or
+deer, tapirs or peccaries in the forest they soon should have found
+them, or at least seen traces of their presence. The turbulent character
+of the water surrounding them accounted for this. The birds, of course,
+could fly across, but no mammal could swim across the barrier of
+agitated water.
+
+On the second night after they had built the hut, David awoke with a
+start. The awakening was so sudden that he felt there must be a reason
+for it, although there was not a sound upon the still, cool air.
+However, a disagreeable odor filled the room. He lay quietly for some
+minutes with the uncanny feeling that he was being watched by some
+living creature and that, too, from no great distance.
+
+David knew that the best policy under such circumstances, was to remain
+perfectly motionless. A sudden move might invite attack.
+
+As he waited, wondering what could be the cause of his presentiment,
+Miguel suddenly sat up.
+
+“I can’t stand it any longer,” he cried. “There’s----”
+
+The sentence remained unfinished. His words were drowned by a rustling,
+creaking noise and the hut shook as if about to collapse. A moment later
+they heard the sound of a heavy body rushing away through the jungle.
+
+“Good heavens,” David exclaimed in consternation. “What can it be? There
+are no animals on the island. Let’s start a fire.”
+
+Miguel was so frightened he could hardly move.
+
+“I don’t know,” he whispered, “unless it is the evil one himself.”
+
+“It was something a lot more real than that. But what?” David replied.
+
+They started a fire and remained near it the remainder of the night,
+discussing their strange visitor, but reaching no conclusion as to what
+it could have been.
+
+Daylight revealed the fact that their shelter had been badly battered.
+They searched the ground for foot-prints but found none. There was not
+the slightest clue to give any intimation of the solution of the
+mystery.
+
+After a hasty breakfast, they started on a systematic search of the
+island, cutting a number of straight trails across from one side to the
+other, but still they found not the least sign of the presence of an
+animal of any kind. However, Miguel did discover a species of palm, the
+large terminal bud of which was delicious eaten raw, and another kind of
+the same trees which gave quantities of white sap or milk of fine
+flavor; they had only to tap it in the fashion of a rubber tree. These
+two articles were a most welcome addition to their food supply of meat
+that had begun to pall. Also, they provided the vegetable matter so
+necessary to their well-being.
+
+That night the men took turns in watching throughout the hours of
+darkness, but the nocturnal prowler did not return. They supposed,
+therefore, that they had frightened the creature away, whatever it
+could have been, and this thought afforded them a measure of relief.
+
+“I’ll tell you what we could do,” David said the following morning. “We
+could get material together for a raft and start to build it. It will
+keep us occupied and perhaps we can make one strong enough to run the
+rapids without breaking apart.”
+
+Miguel shook his head. “Impossible,” he said. “No raft or boat of any
+kind could do it. Look at the rocks; look at the whirlpools; look at the
+swift current. There might even be more falls below. But we can make one
+anyway. It will keep us busy, and--say, I just thought of something. In
+the rainy season, when the water is high, there won’t be any rapids, or
+at least they will be only very mild, and we could use the raft then.”
+
+David could have shouted for joy. Now that Miguel had mentioned it, he,
+too, realized that higher water would cover the rocks and obliterate the
+narrow, angry channels between them as well as blot out the whirlpools.
+
+They lost no time in starting to collect material for their craft.
+First, they selected a clump of tall, feathery bamboo near the water’s
+edge and began to cut down the stems. Each pole was upward of forty feet
+long and six inches thick; and, as the joints of which they were
+composed were filled with water, they had to tap each one to permit the
+liquid to drain; otherwise they would be too heavy to float. The
+afternoon was half over when they began the latter task.
+
+“How about getting something for supper?” David asked. “This job makes
+me feel as if I could eat a dozen partridges.”
+
+“And me,” Miguel agreed, “and a few palm buds and a _liter_ of milk,
+too.”
+
+The two started away, stealthily following one of the narrow trails they
+had made and had no difficulty in securing a number of the stupid
+tinamou that were so plentiful. To collect the palm buds and milk
+required a greater length of time, and darkness had fallen when they
+retraced their steps to camp. However, a full moon, high in the heavens,
+sent soft shafts of light through the branches overhead, where the
+jungle was less dense; and when they reached the edge of the forest
+where their camp was located, a flood of silvery moonlight met their
+eyes.
+
+“Santo Paulo! Our house is gone!” It was Miguel’s voice, filled with
+consternation. He was in the lead and had stopped suddenly, hands raised
+in horror at the unexpected sight.
+
+“Gone?” David pushed forward, incredulous that such a thing could have
+happened. “It can’t be gone because there was no wind to blow it away.”
+
+“But it _is_ gone. Look! Where is it?” Miguel was still standing where
+he had stopped.
+
+“We must be in the wrong place, but, no, this is the spot.” David was
+puzzled. He approached cautiously.
+
+“It’s been broken down to the ground,” he exclaimed. “Somebody or
+something has been here while we were away.”
+
+They dared not advance into the clearing where the shelter had stood
+because there was the possibility that their marauding visitor was in
+the neighborhood, awaiting their return. But from their position they
+could see that the structure had been crushed to the earth and
+completely wrecked, as if by men or some gigantic animal.
+
+After watching a while they returned to the heavier forest to spend the
+night.
+
+“I told you it was a spirit,” Miguel insisted, “when it visited us that
+first night. Now do you believe it?”
+
+“No, I don’t.”
+
+“Then what is it?”
+
+“I don’t know, but we’ll find out.”
+
+They rebuilt the hut on the same spot. The island was so small that one
+place was as good as another and the old location possessed the
+advantage of having been cleared of underbrush.
+
+The remainder of the day had been spent collecting material for the
+raft. After the water had drained out of the bamboo poles the holes had
+to be sealed with gum taken from trees. After that the light, buoyant
+stems had to be fastened together to form the raft and having no nails
+it was necessary to tie them together. Only one material was available
+for the purpose and that was bark.
+
+They gathered armfuls of the long, shaggy fiber that hung like a fringe
+from the trunks of the _chiqui-chiqui_ palms and placed them in a heap
+near the hut. By the time sufficient of the material had been collected
+it was too late to begin braiding it into ropes.
+
+After a supper of the usual fare the two concealed themselves in the
+edge of the forest to watch for the possible return of their unwelcome
+visitor.
+
+Hour after hour passed, but there was no disturbance of any kind. It was
+evident that they were not to be molested that night, so they returned
+to the shelter.
+
+No sooner had Miguel entered the doorway than he gave a shriek and
+darted out again. He staggered a few steps and fell headlong to the
+ground.
+
+David picked up the limp form of his companion and carried it toward the
+open beach, but the man recovered and struggled to his feet.
+
+“Oh!” he gasped. “It’s in there now. It almost got me.”
+
+David tried to find out what it was Miguel had seen, but the latter
+talked incoherently so that it was impossible to make out the meaning of
+his words. He thought that his companion was greatly exaggerating the
+truth; perhaps he had seen nothing at all and had merely imagined the
+presence of some weird being conjured by his superstitious mind. He
+would decide the matter by going to see for himself. To strengthen the
+latter conclusion, nothing had come out of the hut and there was no
+sound within.
+
+David drew his revolver and held it in readiness for instant action.
+Then he lighted a bunch of the palm fiber and holding it aloft, went
+slowly toward the structure.
+
+When he reached the doorway he thrust the flaming torch in first and
+raised it above his head. The glare lighted up the interior of the
+small room, but for a moment only.
+
+David stood paralyzed in his tracks when he saw the thing that had
+invaded their domicile. From the center of the palm-leaf thatch that
+formed the ceiling and drooping almost to the ground were the head and
+part of the body of an enormous snake. It hung suspended in space, as
+motionless as if carved out of variegated marble. As he looked in
+horror, the great reptile raised its massive head slowly, at the same
+time drawing it back like a bent spring, as if to strike. Its beady eyes
+were fixed on those of the man and the forked tongue moved rapidly in
+and out of its mouth. As it did this it emitted a long hiss that sounded
+like a jet of escaping steam.
+
+David recovered his senses in a flash. He would have to act quickly. If
+the reptile’s head shot forward it would knock him down like the blow of
+a battering ram.
+
+Without moving the flaming torch, he raised his right hand slowly and
+took careful aim at the great head not two yards away, his finger
+tightening on the trigger until the slightest further pressure would
+cause its release. Then came a flash and a deafening crack. He dropped
+the blazing fagot and ran out upon the open bank where Miguel was
+sitting, still too dazed for speech.
+
+When he stopped he became aware of a thrashing noise, coming from the
+direction of the hut; then the entire structure fell with a crash--on
+top of the bunch of palm fiber now flickering its last.
+
+Soon little tongues of fire leaped up, lapping eagerly at the dry leaves
+of which their shelter had been composed. In a moment the entire heap
+was a mass of flames that lighted up the scene as bright as day. And in
+the midst of the conflagration he saw the writhing, lashing coils of the
+giant serpent that did not cease their movements, even after the fire
+had died down to a pile of feebly glowing embers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+WHEN THE WATER RAN HIGH
+
+
+The two men had watched the burning of their hut until the last
+flickering blaze had died; Miguel as in a trance, and David spellbound
+by the sight. The loss of their abode, while causing them some
+inconvenience, was not a calamity, for they easily could build another.
+The visits of the great snake, however, was another matter.
+
+“The _sucurujú_ never lives alone,” Miguel said finally when he had
+recovered from the shock of his experience. They were watching the huge
+coils writhe in the glowing embers.
+
+“What do you mean?” David asked.
+
+“There are always a pair together. When one goes out and remains away
+any length of time the other one goes to look for it. And if you kill
+one of them, the other will follow you until it has avenged its mate.”
+
+“Then you think there is another snake around here?”
+
+“Yes,” Miguel said. “We had better not stay at this end of the island
+tonight.”
+
+“The thing that puzzles me, is where did this monster come from?” David
+said. “I can understand now why the creature that visited our hut did
+not leave tracks, but I don’t see how we could have overlooked it in
+walking about the island. It is so big we couldn’t have missed it unless
+it lived in a cave, and--there are no caves.”
+
+“Anacondas live in holes in the riverbank,” Miguel explained. “That’s
+why we didn’t see this one. It came up from the water while we were
+watching in the forest. And the other is liable to be along any minute,
+so we had better go.”
+
+Early the next morning they went back to the ruins of their hut to
+inspect the snake. They found it, a mound of shimmering color, near the
+pile of ashes and it was, of course, dead. David’s shot had struck it
+fairly in the head. It was of a greenish brown color with small black
+spots and mottlings on its back. When, after a good deal of tugging they
+succeeded in straightening it on the ground and paced the distance from
+head to tail, they found that it was in the neighborhood of thirty-two
+feet long. The weight, they estimated, was not less than three hundred
+pounds, for it had a girth of over two feet in the thickest part of its
+body and was very heavy.
+
+“I wish we could save the skin,” David said, regretfully, “but we can’t
+cure it and it’s too cumbersome to carry.”
+
+Miguel tried to lessen his disappointment. “It’s all scorched and burned
+anyway. I’m glad it didn’t get us; it could have crushed us into jelly
+in a moment.”
+
+“What about the other one?” David asked.
+
+The Brazilian looked around uneasily.
+
+“Let’s get busy on the raft,” he said. “One snake is enough for me. We
+might not be so lucky another time.”
+
+It required two more days to complete the raft. They rolled and pushed
+the bamboo poles to the very edge of the water and then began the work
+of constructing their craft. First they spread a layer of the bamboos on
+the ground; then they bound them together securely with the fiber rope,
+weaving the cables back and forth, until they had what resembled a huge
+mat. Upon this they placed a second layer across the first and fastened
+it into place. A third was carefully tied on top of this and after that
+a fourth.
+
+The raft was two feet thick when it was finished. It had a length of
+twenty feet and a width of eight; they felt sure that it was ample to
+carry their weight without submerging to the level of the water. When it
+was finished they cut stout poles and using them as levers, pried it
+into the stream, and tied it with one of the ropes.
+
+“The water is rising,” Miguel announced joyfully. “If it keeps up until
+morning we can start.”
+
+David looked down the angry stretch in front of them. Many of the rocks
+that had protruded above the surface were now submerged. Patches of
+rolling, oily-looking water marked the spots where they were concealed.
+On a whole, the river was still a swirling, roaring flood that only the
+direst necessity could induce anyone to navigate. But there must be no
+hesitation, no delay. A single day lost might mean the falling of the
+water and the restoration of the cataracts to their former fury.
+
+These thoughts came to both men as they surveyed the craft upon the
+behavior of which their lives depended, and then gazed at the stream to
+whose whims they would be exposed before the passing of many hours. And
+the same thoughts recurred to them more forcibly the next morning, when
+they hastened to the water’s edge with a feeling of eagerness tempered
+with many misgivings. The raft was gone.
+
+The men looked at one another in dismay; and also at the raging, hissing
+river that seemed to mock them in their misfortune.
+
+“It’s awful,” David said at last. “The rope snapped and the raft is
+lost.”
+
+Miguel sat down on the sand and covered his face with his hands.
+
+“It was our last chance.” He was almost sobbing. “And now that’s gone.”
+
+David, too, was far from cheerful. Their hopes had been dashed to
+pieces; their enthusiasm had been killed; their work had been for
+nothing. Once again fate, in the guise of the merciless river, had
+conspired against them. The strain under which they had labored began to
+make itself felt. They could endure but so much and the limit was in
+sight.
+
+“Say, this will never do.” The speaker was David. He had regained
+mastery over himself. “Our chance is as good as it ever was. We can make
+another raft. Maybe it’s a good thing this one broke away. We must make
+the ropes stronger. It is a warning to us.”
+
+Miguel looked up, and, encouraged, David continued in a cheerful manner.
+
+“It won’t take so long this time either, because we know how to go about
+it. And listen, the water may continue to rise and then the going will
+be better than ever.”
+
+“It may fall, too,” Miguel ventured half-heartedly.
+
+“Of course. If it does, we’ll just have to wait. It will _have_ to rise
+again sometime. There’s enough to eat here, so why should we worry?”
+
+It was three days later that the second raft was ready. This time they
+did not launch it until the morning of the start. The water had fallen
+somewhat but after a thorough discussion of the matter, they decided to
+chance the passage through the rapids. They loaded their small stock of
+meat and palm buds, tied the packages down securely, stepped aboard the
+floating platform and pushed away from the bank.
+
+The raft drifted slowly and steadily toward the center of the stream.
+Then the currents, coming from each side, caught it, carrying it along
+at a rapidly increasing rate of speed until they were flying along at a
+terrific pace.
+
+So far the water had been fairly smooth though swift. But ahead of them
+was a ruffled stretch, the surface dotted with rocks that showed a few
+inches of their height while the angry waves and back-washes told of
+other, invisible obstructions of a still more formidable nature.
+
+The raft began to lurch so violently that its two occupants lost their
+footing and fell flat on the ribbed surface. There they clung while the
+floating platform spun and tossed madly at the mercy of the flood, for
+the two men were now powerless to steady it with the long poles they had
+carried for that purpose. Grating noises told them when they scraped
+over partly submerged obstacles and there was an occasional shock and
+sudden halt when they collided with rocks. But the current always swung
+the raft to one side and swept it away in its thundering embrace.
+
+The two men, hanging on for their lives, could not speak to one another
+because the roar of the water drowned the sound of their voices. Showers
+of spray dashed over them as they plunged down the terraces of cascades,
+but the raft always bobbed up again after the leaps and its laminated
+construction made it staunch enough to withstand the frightful strain to
+which it was subjected.
+
+After a half hour’s race down the agitated stream the water became
+calmer and the current slackened. The raft now drifted lazily on the
+broad expanse and the men regained their feet, glad of the relief
+afforded them from their strained position. The poles they had used were
+gone.
+
+“We had better land and cut new ones,” Miguel said, calling attention to
+their loss. “Without them we’ll simply drift along and not get
+anywhere.”
+
+David agreed that this was the proper thing to do. There was now but one
+way to propel their craft; that was to lie flat and paddle with their
+hands.
+
+They soon found, however, that their efforts had little effect on the
+large, cumbersome raft. It responded so feebly that the result was
+barely noticeable. Then they both lay on the same side; this weighted
+down the edge they were on while it raised the other side out of the
+water. Their combined efforts, coupled with the position of the raft in
+the water, caused it to swing slightly toward the bank.
+
+It was mid-afternoon when they finally touched land; the men were nearly
+exhausted. They pulled one end up on the shelving bank and tied it
+securely. Then they sat down to eat and to rest.
+
+“We are this far, anyway,” David commented. “It isn’t very far, I know,
+but it’s a start and we’re away from the island. The raft behaved fine
+in the rapids. It will stand anything.”
+
+“Yes,” Miguel agreed, “but we don’t know if we are going in the right
+direction. This river may never take us near camp.”
+
+“All the rivers must find their way into the Amazon,” David insisted,
+“so we can’t go wrong.”
+
+“Then we can just drift along. Everything will be all right in the end.”
+Miguel seemed filled with confidence.
+
+His words carried a double meaning to David. He had done nothing but
+drift--from one thing to another--into one difficulty after the other,
+since reaching Brazil.
+
+“Are you sure, Miguel,” he asked, “that everything will be all right in
+the end?”
+
+“Yes, it always is. But it often takes a long time.”
+
+At this point the subject of the conversation was changed abruptly, for
+appearing out of the forest on the other side of the river were a
+number of Indians--the very ones, no doubt, from whom they had so
+narrowly escaped.
+
+The brown men were looking at them and waving their arms and the sound
+of their voices could be heard plainly across the wide expanse of the
+stream.
+
+“They’re like wolves on the trail,” Miguel said. “They never give up.
+But they can’t get to us now. They have no canoes and the river is too
+broad to swim.”
+
+“Then let’s wave back to them,” David said, standing up. He swung his
+arms and shouted at the top of his voice. The Indians began to show
+signs of excitement; they raced up and down the bank, jumped into the
+air and called more loudly than before.
+
+“I don’t like their actions. I can’t think of a thing they can do now,
+but so soon as its dark we had better leave,” David suggested.
+
+“You’re right,” Miguel agreed. “We can cut the poles now and get a few
+extra ones to tie on the raft so we can have them handy if we lose the
+ones we’re using.”
+
+This task completed, they remained in hiding near the raft until after
+the sun had set. And all the while the savages on the opposite bank, in
+increasing numbers, continued their antics.
+
+“Seems to me they could make a raft and come across,” said David, as
+they watched. He could observe them through the screen of vegetation
+behind which they were concealed.
+
+“Some tribes never navigate the rivers. Others have canoes and seldom
+travel by land. Then there are still others who travel overland and when
+they reach a stream they want to cross, build a raft or make a wood-skin
+canoe which they abandon or sink after it has been used.”
+
+“I hope those over there belong to the kind that don’t venture on the
+water,” David said.
+
+“I think they do,” Miguel reassured him, “or they would have been over
+here before now.”
+
+They boarded their raft in the concealing darkness and pushed
+downstream, remaining as near the bank as possible. As they drifted
+along, slowly at first, they felt the impatient tug of the current
+trying to hurry them toward the center of the stream.
+
+“We could make better time if we went farther out,” Miguel said. “We are
+barely moving here and I don’t like to be scraping against the branches
+above.”
+
+“Nor I,” David agreed.
+
+They allowed the craft to follow the urge of the water and soon they
+were moving at a fast rate. This pleased them, because it meant rapidly
+increasing the distance between themselves and the savages they were
+leaving behind.
+
+When the moon rose they saw that the raft had been swept to the center
+of the river. Use of the poles had been abandoned when the depth had
+become too great for them to reach the bottom.
+
+“We’ll be in camp before many days at this rate,” David said hopefully.
+“See how fast we’re going?”
+
+“Yes,” from Miguel, “but this is as fast as we ought to go. If the
+current gets much swifter we’ll have to land.”
+
+“Why?” David asked in surprise. “We can’t get back too soon to suit me.”
+
+“Nor me. But there may be rapids ahead. We don’t know the river, so
+can’t take too many chances at night. If it gets worse we’ll have to
+wait until daylight so we can see first what we are to go through.”
+
+David made no reply, at first.
+
+“We could hear them,” he said finally.
+
+It was not long after that that they heard the faint, warning noise that
+meant trouble ahead. A muffled roar came to their ears; it rose and fell
+in swells of sound like the vibrations of a bell. It was so far away,
+however, they could scarcely hear it.
+
+“You win, Miguel,” David said dejectedly.
+
+“It’s always that way,” Miguel replied. “I win when I want to lose and I
+lose when I want to win. Let’s make for the bank and stay close to it
+until we reach the rapids.”
+
+They dug the poles deep into the water and pushed with all their might.
+The raft responded gently to their efforts, but they knew it would drift
+downstream a great distance before reaching the bank.
+
+Before they had gone very far they realized that the rapids must be
+nearer than they had supposed for the roar was growing louder each
+minute and seemed to come out of the night no great distance ahead.
+
+Miguel was alarmed. “Faster,” he cried. “It’s just in front of us. We
+have to make the bank or we’re lost.”
+
+David shouted assent. He looked at the dark wall of trees still a good
+hundred yards off. Then he bent to his task with more force than before.
+
+In a few minutes it became obvious that their race was a doubtful one.
+The water surged and boiled as it rushed along at frightful speed and
+the raft began to lurch so that they could scarcely retain their
+footing, while the roar that now came to their ears was of thunderous
+volume.
+
+“We can’t make it,” David shouted finally. He had just estimated the
+span of angry water that still separated them from the land.
+
+“What will we do?” Miguel called in return.
+
+“It sounds too dangerous to attempt--at night. What do you say?” he
+added as David made no reply.
+
+“Wait!” David spoke quickly. “We can see a little way ahead and we can
+both swim.”
+
+Rocks of large size now loomed up in the riverbed. Around them the water
+raged and hissed in fretful torrents. But still the men kept their
+places, and inch by inch the raft drew toward the forested bank as it
+raced in the grip of the flood.
+
+David glanced up from time to time to appraise the water in front of
+them; its character would, of course, determine their course of action.
+
+“Quick,” he shouted suddenly, “that rock. Make for it for all you’re
+worth,” pointing to a black mass that rose out of the seething water in
+front of them, but ten yards to one side.
+
+Miguel did not know why his companion had come to the sudden conclusion
+that they should make for the rock; before, they had taken care to
+avoid obstructions of this kind. But there was no time to ask questions.
+He pulled with all the strength in his powerful frame in an effort to
+carry out the instructions that had been given him.
+
+The thing David had seen was a thin veil of mist rising into the moonlit
+sky. That one glimpse had been enough, for it meant that there was a
+waterfall below the haze. There was just time for the shout of warning
+to Miguel; their only hope lay in gaining the rock.
+
+They worked frantically, but soon it was apparent that the heavy raft
+could not be swung sufficiently to make the goal in the distance that
+separated them. Their position was desperate. They must gain the rock or
+be swept over the fall that now boomed with the rumble of thunder.
+
+Caught in the swirling eddies, the raft began to pitch and roll so
+wildly they could no longer stay on their feet.
+
+David grasped Miguel’s arm. The din made speech impossible. He pointed
+down to the water, then to the rock. The Brazilian understood and
+accepted the frightful challenge.
+
+They sprang from the lurching platform and struck out boldly for the
+rock. The swift current bore them along like chips on a millrace;
+curling swells dashed over them and the roaring made their ears throb.
+But there was no turning back, no other course to pursue, and side by
+side they fought the treacherous torrent with powerful strokes.
+
+The black mass loomed nearer and nearer; it was now but a few yards
+ahead. And almost before they realized it they had been washed upon a
+ledge and were crawling out of reach of the eager swell that rushed up
+after them.
+
+As they gained their feet, trembling from the chill of the water and the
+effects of their terrifying experience, a dark object sped past the
+rock, still a number of yards away. They followed it with their eyes. It
+tossed and spun as it dashed down the river. They continued to watch it
+in silence, facinated by the awful sight.
+
+It was their raft. Suddenly it seemed to pitch forward, and then stand
+on end; for a moment it hung suspended in space, the ragged ends of the
+bamboos of which it was made clearly outlined like a black fringe
+against the white curtain of mist. The bright moonlight lighted up the
+scene so clearly that they missed no detail of it.
+
+Then the raft, still on end, slid downward and was gone. It had plunged
+over the brink of the fall.
+
+“Oh!” It was Miguel. “Everything is lost. All our things were on it--my
+bow and arrows and your gun, too.”
+
+“Yes,” David returned mournfully. “Everything we had is gone. But we’re
+all right, and that’s something to be thankful for.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+THE BROWN MEN OF THE JUNGLE
+
+
+When daylight came, the two men cowering on the bare rock around which
+the turbulent water raged, were more appalled than ever at the
+realization of how narrowly they had escaped a terrible fate. The soft
+moonlight had concealed much that the bright sunlight revealed.
+
+All about them were roaring cascades, whirlpools and rapids of a
+formidable character. Above, the stretch of water through which they had
+swum was nearly as bad. It was well that the mellow light had been
+deceptive, for it had hidden the real nature of the river and had made
+it appear much calmer than it really was; if David and Miguel had been
+able to see what was before them it is doubtful if they could have
+reached the rock.
+
+Below, and not more than fifty yards distant, the stream seemed to end
+in a long, even line; it was the edge of the fall. They could not tell
+how far the sheet of water dropped, but the roar that came up from below
+sounded like booming thunder and the clouds of swirling mist rising high
+into the sky indicated that the distance of the plunge must be great.
+
+The rock upon which the men were stranded was only fifty feet from the
+bank. Both were splendid swimmers. But one look at the narrow channel
+separating them from the land was enough to convince them that they
+could not cross to safety before being swept over the fall. To swim
+against the current in an effort to head up-stream was impossible. Their
+only hope had been to go with the water at the same time striking
+obliquely toward the shore; but that, too, was plainly out of the
+question.
+
+They discussed their predicament in serious voices; but there was no way
+out of the difficulty, so far as they could see.
+
+“We might as well be in the middle of the Amazon as right here,” Miguel
+said.
+
+“I’d rather be in the middle of the ocean,” David replied. “Then a ship
+would be liable to come along to pick us up. Here nobody will find us.”
+
+“No, because no one would be foolish enough to try to navigate this
+river as we did.”
+
+“Suppose the Indians should come down this far?” David asked suddenly.
+“What easy marks we would be!”
+
+“Let them come,” Miguel returned gloomily. “It would be quicker than
+drowning or starving.”
+
+“Maybe so. But I’d like to have something to fight back with. We have
+nothing. Even the revolver is gone.”
+
+The thought of the Indians may have come to them as a premonition, for
+the Indians did arrive not many hours after, and apparently they were
+the same ones who had been following and attempting to capture them.
+
+As they were gazing with longing at the green walls of forest that grew
+down to the rocks bordering the water the thick curtain of foliage
+parted revealing the brown form of a savage.
+
+“My heavens,” Miguel moaned, “they _did_ find us. It’s all over now.”
+
+“I’ve changed my mind,” David panted at about the same moment. “If they
+start shooting at us I’ll jump in and go over the fall; they might not
+be so high as we think and anyway, it’s a fighting chance. I won’t be
+shot like a trapped animal.”
+
+“I’ll go, too,” Miguel said quickly. “I won’t let them shoot me either.”
+
+They perched on the very edge of the rock, ready to make the plunge.
+
+“Before we go,” said Miguel, as a peculiar look came over his face, “I
+want to tell you something; I tried to tell you before, but----”
+
+“Not now,” David interrupted him. “There isn’t time and there’s too much
+noise. And I don’t feel that our end is in sight. I think I suspect,
+too, what you want to say.”
+
+Miguel looked puzzled, but said no more.
+
+Other savages joined the first on the bank, bows and arrows in their
+hands, but still there was no show of hostility. They only stared and
+chattered excitedly among themselves.
+
+Then the group was joined by one who was apparently their chief. He
+pushed boldly to the front and came out into full view on the rocks.
+The newcomer towered a full head above the others and his powerful body
+looked like a bronze statue against the green background. In one hand he
+held a long bow, in the other, an arrow.
+
+For a moment he stood motionless, looking steadily at the helpless men
+on the rock. Then he glanced up and down the river as if assuring
+himself that they could not escape.
+
+David and Miguel, ready to jump, did not remove their eyes from him for
+a moment. Their hearts were pounding wildly and their breath came in
+gasps.
+
+After surveying the situation a short time longer, the chief turned to
+the savages in back of him and asked a question to which they replied
+with shouts and many gestures. Then he turned and did a most surprising
+thing.
+
+Again facing toward the two white men, he looked at them intently for a
+long time, then stooped and deliberately placed his bow on the rock on
+which he stood. Next, he grasped the arrow in both hands, snapped the
+shaft in two with a quick movement of his wrists and threw the pieces
+into the river. After that he extended his arms at full length toward
+David and Miguel.
+
+This action startled the two so they nearly fell off the rock. They sat
+down, limp and helpless after the terrific ordeal to which they had been
+subjected.
+
+“Does he mean it?” David asked weakly. “Isn’t it a scheme to capture us
+alive?”
+
+“No!” Miguel, too, could barely make himself heard. “An Indian never
+goes back on his word. We are
+
+[Illustration:
+
+     Again facing toward the ... white men ... he grasped the arrow in
+     both hands, snapped the shaft in two ... and threw the pieces into
+     the river.
+]
+
+safe so long as we do nothing to take advantage of him. I can hardly
+believe what’s happened.”
+
+The Indian was still waiting with outstretched arms. Noting this, Miguel
+rose to his feet and held out his arms to the savage. Then David
+followed his example. All the other Indians now came out of the forest
+and held out their hands. Thus they stood a few seconds and the promise
+of friendship was sealed on both sides.
+
+The brown men now drew together for a consultation which lasted for some
+time. When it was over their leader again turned and motioned to David
+and Miguel to sit down; they complied with his request, after which the
+Indians disappeared into the forest.
+
+Several hours passed; they seemed like days to the two on the rock.
+
+“I wonder what they are going to do!” David said over and over.
+
+“I don’t know,” Miguel replied each time. “They have some scheme for
+getting us off this place and have gone to see about it.”
+
+At last the chief returned. He was excited and pointed up the river.
+Looking in that direction they saw a group of Indians in the act of
+pushing a heavy log far out into the stream with the aid of long poles.
+Caught by the swift current, the log began to race down toward them and
+in a short time it had sped past them on the far side of the rock.
+Suddenly it wavered, swung around and then stopped beside their footing.
+It was not until then that they discovered that there was a strong rope
+of braided palm fiber attached to the log, the other end of which was
+on shore and held by a large number of Indians. The latter made their
+way down along the rocks, slowly and cautiously, until they were
+directly opposite the rock.
+
+The leader, now in deliberate pantomime, showed the plan that had been
+worked out for the rescue of the white men. One of them was to tie the
+rope around his body just below the arms and then jump into the river as
+far as possible. The Indians would pull him ashore.
+
+The question now came up as to who was to go first, each offering to
+make the attempt that would test the feasibility of the scheme and the
+strength of the rope; but the matter was quickly settled when David tore
+one of the few remaining buttons off his clothes and flipped it as he
+would a coin. He was the winner.
+
+Miguel carefully adjusted the end of the rope around his companion’s
+body and tied the knot securely across his chest. Then, at a signal from
+the chief, David jumped as far as he could; at the same instant the
+Indians holding the other end raced into the forest.
+
+The moment the man struck the water he felt himself dragged against the
+frightful current that whirled him over and over, drew him down into the
+boiling depths and again tossed him up to the surface. The pull was so
+great that it seemed he must be torn in two. The ordeal, however, lasted
+but a short time. Before he was fully aware of what had happened strong
+arms pulled him out of the water and placed him on his feet where he
+stood sputtering and gasping but none the worse for his experience.
+
+The rescuers immediately went upstream, sent out another log and rescued
+Miguel in the same manner.
+
+The two followed the Indians into the forest, where the latter started a
+fire and proceeded to roast some game that they had apparently shot
+earlier in the day. The brown men now paid no attention to their guests,
+for such they were, and David and Miguel remained quietly on one side,
+watching their actions.
+
+Before long the meat was roasted and one of the Indians brought two
+large, forest partridges to the strangers. Then they all sat down and
+ate in silence.
+
+Miguel knew a good deal of the customs of the Indians. He was sure that
+there would be questionings and explanations later on. But first, the
+law of hospitality required the providing of food.
+
+After they had eaten the chief arose and motioned to the two to join his
+group of warriors. He was of such splendid build and appearance that
+David and Miguel could not suppress their look of admiration. The tops
+of their own heads scarcely reached to the level of his shoulders.
+Powerful muscles bulged under his brown skin. His head was round, with a
+not unpleasant face. His eyes were large and black and straight hair
+that had been cut evenly, hung in a thick mass to just below his ears.
+They judged that his age was but a few years above their own.
+
+“White men,” he said in an even, though deep voice, “why do you keep on
+coming farther and farther into my country?”
+
+The surprise of David and Miguel at hearing these words was second only
+to that experienced when they had discovered they were not to be
+attacked, for the man was addressing them in broken Portuguese they
+could readily understand.
+
+“We are lost,” David said when he had recovered sufficiently to speak,
+“and were trying to get back to our camp when you found us.”
+
+The Indian grunted, and there was a brief pause.
+
+“Then go,” he said. “Your stomachs are full.”
+
+“But,” Miguel explained, “we are still lost. We don’t know which way to
+go.”
+
+At this their rescuer gave them a look of contempt.
+
+“Then you can stay here,” he said, with a shrug of his broad shoulders.
+
+“You saved our lives,” David said, suddenly changing the subject, “and
+we shall not forget that. Why did you do it? We were at your mercy.”
+
+“You still are. But we savages, as you call us, never kill an unarmed
+enemy except in revenge. But more than that, I respect the courage of
+men who dare venture on the river. I saw you start and followed you down
+to see what was left of you at the bottom of the fall.”
+
+David then told the chief their experiences after boarding the raft; how
+they had suddenly realized their danger and how, abandoning the lurching
+craft, they had succeeded in swimming to the rock. As the Indian
+listened, his eyes brightened with admiration.
+
+“The white men do not know the ways of the forest,” he said, “therefore
+they should keep out of it, because it belongs to us. You are lost! That
+proves that we belong here and you do not. We never lose our way. You
+come and you drive us farther and farther away from our homes and
+plantations into the country of other tribes who kill us unless we kill
+them. We fight you every step of the way and we win, too--but in the end
+you win through your superior weapons and greater savagery. But we do
+not stop fighting until the last man is dead.”
+
+“Why don’t you make friends with the white men?” David asked. He was
+feeling decidedly uncomfortable.
+
+“They will not let us,” came the prompt response. “Pretending to be our
+friends, they are our worst enemies. I know. I lived among them at the
+rubber camps, long, long ago. When the white men come, no matter under
+what excuse, the Indian loses and finally disappears. They praise us and
+give us things of no value for which we always pay in hard labor, in
+suffering and even with our lives. White men are savages; they know
+better, but still they are most merciless of all.”
+
+“You may be right,” David said thoughtfully. “I don’t know. We ought to
+teach you things and help you----”
+
+“No,” the Indian snapped angrily. “You should let us live our lives and
+leave us alone.”
+
+David thought it best not to press his point. “But we are your friends
+and always will be,” he said calmly. “Come with us to our camp.”
+
+“No, no!” the Indian exclaimed in horror. “They would kill us.”
+
+“I assure you you will be as safe in our camp as we are with you; and
+there are several things I want to give you to show our appreciation of
+your friendship.”
+
+This pleased the stalwart chief.
+
+“We will go,” he said. “Tonight the remainder of my tribe will be here.
+Then we will eat and sing and dance; tomorrow we will start on the
+journey.”
+
+“How far is it?” Miguel asked.
+
+“Five settings of the sun, as we will walk slowly. There are many women
+and children coming tonight and they cannot go fast.”
+
+When the others arrived that night the white men were surprised at their
+number. There were now over two hundred in the party. The women brought
+food in baskets as well as deer, peccaries, monkeys and birds that had
+been killed by the men and the feast that followed lasted far into the
+night.
+
+There was no delay, however, in getting under way the following morning.
+Soon after the sun rose the encampment was astir. There was a hasty meal
+and then the party formed for the march.
+
+The chief started first, accompanied by David and Miguel, and carrying
+only his bow and a number of arrows. At a distance of twenty paces in
+back of him walked a woman with a heavy basket strapped to her back and
+carrying two small children, while several larger ones trudged by her
+side. At a distance of twenty paces behind her was another warrior
+bearing only his weapons; then another heavily burdened woman followed
+by another man; and so they alternated to the end of the line.
+
+David thought the men were getting the best of the deal, but after
+asking a few questions of the leader he was able to account for the
+arrangement of the column on the march.
+
+The men were the fighters and the hunters. Surrounded by enemies as each
+tribe was at all times, the warrior must be instantly ready to repulse
+an attack or to dispatch his opponent at first sight. As the hunters,
+the men must be prepared to shoot any animal they encountered before it
+could escape. Therefore, they must of necessity be free to use the bow
+without the slightest delay.
+
+In either case, quick action would be impossible if the men were
+encumbered with burdens of any kind, for they would be unable to shoot
+with any degree of accuracy until the impedimenta had been placed on the
+ground. While doing this, the enemy would have ample time for the first
+shots, or the animal would escape. That might mean disaster in the form
+of death or starvation, so the arrangement was a wise one after all.
+
+They tramped along at an easy gait, stopping at noon for a short rest.
+No fires were built, but food from the baskets was distributed to the
+children. During this interval most of the men strayed away a short
+distance to hunt and before long their excited cries told that the chase
+was on.
+
+The shouts came nearer rapidly and just before the hunters came into
+view the branches in the trees ahead of them began to sway and rustle.
+
+David looked up and saw a troop of large, black monkeys fleeing for
+their lives. He had never seen so many of the animals together at one
+time. As they raced along and made flying leaps across the spaces that
+separated the trees, shower after shower of arrows were sent after them
+by their pursuers. There were the constant twanging of bows and the
+whining of arrows in flight and now and then came a dull thud, after
+which one of the frightened animals always leaped high into the air,
+screamed, then fell to the ground with a crash. But the Indians did not
+stop to recover it. They continued after the survivors in the treetops
+and soon the chase had passed the resting place and the shouts grew
+fainter in the distance.
+
+It was fully an hour before the last of the hunters returned and the
+victims had been collected. There were forty-three monkeys spread on the
+ground and the chief assured the white men that not one had escaped; he
+beamed with satisfaction, for he alone had accounted for five of the
+animals.
+
+“Tonight there will be meat for all and more,” he said. “Not in many
+changes of the moon has there been such an abundance of this, the best
+of all food.”
+
+There was now a further delay while the women dressed the monkeys, after
+which they packed them into their baskets. After that the column again
+formed and got under way.
+
+In this manner the party moved leisurely through the heavy forest, led
+unerringly and without hesitation by their fearless leader. It was on
+the fifth day that they had the first intimation that the end of the
+trail was in sight.
+
+“This looks familiar, somehow,” David said suddenly, as they reached a
+large body of water in the heart of the forest. “I wonder if it could be
+the----“. He checked his words abruptly.
+
+“Yes,” Miguel continued for him. “It’s the lagoon. Right over there is
+where the crocodile nearly got me. I wouldn’t be here if it hadn’t been
+for you.”
+
+“And but for you, I wouldn’t be here. So we’re even. Let’s not mention
+the subject again.”
+
+Not long after that the men about the rubber camp had an unusual and
+unforgettable experience. It was their first glimpse of the two
+wanderers, long given up for lost, marching into camp on either side of
+the giant Indian. They thought for a moment that the savage was their
+captive, but when others appeared in the wake of the three they were
+more mystified than ever.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+THE DRIFTING ENDS
+
+
+Most surprised of all to see the large party of visitors was Dom Carlos.
+At first he was at a loss as to how to express his feelings. The weeks
+that had elapsed since David’s disappearance had brought him no end of
+worry, for there was no doubt but that he would be held responsible. He
+had delayed sending word of the disappearance to Las Palmas in the hope
+that the missing man would show up. And now that he had arrived and was
+safely in their midst, the old feeling of tyranny came back with
+increased intensity.
+
+“So you are back at last!” he said gruffly. “What excuse have you for
+going away and staying so long without my permission? Don’t you know
+that the collecting season is almost over and you have wasted your time?
+You have accomplished nothing.”
+
+David was taken aback by this reception.
+
+“I was lost,” he returned. “I was never so eager to get anywhere as to
+this place, but I couldn’t find the way.”
+
+“And you, Miguel? You were lost, too, I suppose?” sarcastically.
+
+“Yes, I was lost, too. The fever is to blame,” Miguel replied, while his
+eyes snapped.
+
+“You can tell that to the _patron_ when we get to the ranch. And what do
+these savages want?”
+
+“They asked for nothing. They saved us from the river and brought us
+home. They are our friends and I invited them to come,” David said.
+
+“Well, I’ll invite them to go now. I don’t want them here. Tell them to
+go and to be quick about it.”
+
+“No, they are not going until I can prove to them that there is at least
+one _white_ man in the world,” David snapped with determination. “I’m
+going to the storehouse for some presents for them.”
+
+“You are?” The foreman feigned surprise. “And who is going to be
+responsible? Your account is overdrawn now.”
+
+“I’ll take care of that part, so don’t you worry. Rice said I could draw
+anything I need and I am going to do it.”
+
+“Look here,” and the burly foreman stepped forward to block his path.
+“I’m the boss. You will give nothing to these savages and I will chase
+them away.”
+
+This speech angered David.
+
+“They are my friends and they will be yours, too, if you let them. Think
+of what it will mean to have them on your side instead of fighting
+against you. It is the chance of a lifetime to make peace and you ought
+to jump at it. Now, I am going to make good my promise to them.”
+
+The foreman leaped toward David with a shout of rage. The latter was no
+match for the big Brazilian, but he stood still waiting for the onrush
+until a giant form stepped in front of him. It was the leader of the
+Indians who stood like a statue between David and Dom Carlos.
+
+This interference was too much for the foreman.
+
+“I see he is your friend,” he panted, “and I will have nothing to do
+with a savage. Go ahead, get the things. But remember, you will have to
+account to the boss for this whole thing.”
+
+David said nothing, but some of the men who were watching the encounter,
+whispered among themselves. They had noted how ready their leader was to
+attack a man smaller than himself and how quickly he stopped when the
+giant Indian intervened.
+
+“Come,” David said to the brown man. “Come with me. The others can wait
+here.”
+
+Together they went to the supply hut where the chief was invited to take
+his choice of the articles in stock. He selected a number of knives,
+hatchets and a few other objects he desired, after which David presented
+him with several pounds of tobacco, which he appreciated more than the
+other gifts.
+
+The Indians prepared to take their departure soon after, but not until
+the whole party had exchanged pledges of friendship with the Brazilians.
+Instead of shaking hands upon leaving they patted one another on the
+back, but when the chief came to Dom Carlos he walked haughtily past and
+as he did so he placed an arrow, point up, in the ground at his feet.
+That meant that he was an enemy of the Indians who would thereafter
+attack him on sight.
+
+Then the column formed and vanished in the forest.
+
+That night David and Miguel had little time for sleep. The men crowded
+about them and urged them to repeat again and again the story of their
+adventures. It was all so strange, so seemingly impossible they could
+not comprehend it fully, but they at no time doubted the narrative of
+their companions.
+
+“You got here just in time,” one of them said finally. “We start back in
+a week or less.”
+
+“To the ranch?” David asked eagerly.
+
+“Yes. The rains are overdue. When they begin they will come hard. We’re
+getting ready to leave now.”
+
+“That sounds too good to be true. We can’t start too soon to suit me.”
+
+The next day he saw what the preparations consisted of. The large balls
+of rubber were being carried to the riverbank. Thick ropes were passed
+through the holes in the center of the balls which had been left by the
+poles on which the latex was poured while being smoked. The number on
+the different strings varied, but when sufficient had been threaded the
+ends of the rope were tied together, forming a huge “necklace.” These,
+in turn, were pushed into the water, one within the other, so they
+formed groups of concentric rings known as rubber rafts.
+
+It required a number of days to complete all the arrangements. The men
+packed their belongings and the utensils used by them in their work and
+placed them aboard the launch. The Indians who had been engaged at the
+camp had already taken their departure in canoes for their homes far up
+the river. The camp began to take on a deserted appearance and it was
+not difficult to picture what the place would look like a few weeks
+hence, when the rising water would cover the site and sweep away the
+huts and every vestige of human occupancy.
+
+Not all of the men were to return to the ranch in the launch. About half
+their number had been selected to follow the rubber rafts as they
+floated down the river. When the start was made two men were sent in
+each canoe; their duty was to drift with the raft by day and by night,
+to guide it with poles into the proper channels, and to tie it up when
+it reached its destination.
+
+During the hours of daylight a flag was placed in the center ball; at
+night a lantern took its place, making it easy for the men to follow the
+raft in the darkness.
+
+This work required experienced men, so David was not chosen to be one of
+them. He went on the launch on the day following the departure of the
+rubber fleet.
+
+The first rain of the season was falling when the craft nosed her way
+into the stream and the men were glad to leave the now gloomy
+hinterland, for it would be many weeks before the sodden skies cleared,
+except for brief intervals, and the place once more became habitable.
+
+The trip down the river was without incident of note. Each day the rain
+fell for longer periods until there were but infrequent lulls in the
+heavy downpours. The nights, however, were almost invariably clear, but
+within another month there would be no respite either day or night from
+the roaring deluge.
+
+The river rose rapidly, covering rocks and encroaching upon the forest;
+soon it would assume the aspect of a vast, muddy lake and the picture of
+heartrending desolation would be complete.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Rice was at the landing when the launch drew up and was made fast. David
+had looked forward to a word of greeting, or at least a friendly glance,
+and his disappointment was keen when he found himself treated with the
+same indifference that characterized the owner’s attitude toward all the
+men. His one concern seemed to be with the rubber crop and after asking
+a few questions of Dom Carlos the two went into the office structure,
+leaving the men to unload the launch.
+
+David saw nothing more of his employer until several days later, when
+the rubber rafts began to arrive. Then he remained at the waterfront
+almost constantly, appraising and commenting on the season’s catch.
+
+The cattle had to be brought from the outlying feeding-grounds with the
+coming of the rains; a great part of the range would soon become
+inundated. Also, there were numerous other things to be done, such as
+branding the calves and counting and segregating the animals of
+different ages and intended for different purposes.
+
+David, of course, confidently expected that he would be permitted to
+participate in this work. It was the thing for which he had come to the
+ranch and in anticipation of which he had endured all the hardships and
+discouragements that had been thrust into his path. But once again he
+was disappointed.
+
+One by one the men were selected for the round-up and sent on their
+various missions. And when the last place had been filled, those who
+remained were put to work weighing the rubber and marking it for
+shipment.
+
+David awaited a favorable opportunity to protest against this treatment
+to Dom Carlos. The latter gave him a look of contempt.
+
+“You’re lucky to be doing anything,” he said in reply. “When I told the
+_patron_ all the things you are guilty of he came near sending you down
+the river under guard. But he decided to let you work out your debt;
+after that you’re going on the first launch that leaves.”
+
+“If that’s the case I might as well leave right now,” David replied
+hotly.
+
+“Not until you’ve squared your account. You’ll work that out first, and
+it will take a long time, too.”
+
+David said nothing more, but quickly formed a plan of action. He would
+venture to speak to Rice if there was a possible chance of doing so; if
+not, he simply had to make the best of a very bad situation.
+
+Soon the cattle began to arrive, in small groups and in droves that
+numbered hundreds. They were a wild lot and David was surprised that
+there were so many of them. As he watched the mounted herders, wielding
+their ropes, riding frantically and shouting, he longed to be among
+them. Instead, he carried the heavy balls of rubber to the weighing shed
+and back again to the storehouse, after they had been weighed and
+checked.
+
+However, in the evenings, when the day’s hard labor was over, he visited
+the corrals accompanied by Miguel and eagerly talked about the things he
+would like to do and would do--elsewhere, if the opportunity did not
+come at Las Palmas.
+
+The more he thought of the matter, the more impatient he became. And
+finally, unable longer to endure in silence, he decided to go to Rice to
+settle the issue. Scarcely had he determined on this course than the
+ranchman sent for him. He hastened to the office in response to the
+summons, breathless with eagerness and anticipation.
+
+A gruff “Enter” came in answer to his knock. He went in. Rice was at the
+table, his back turned toward the door and he continued writing fully
+five minutes longer before turning around. In the meantime, David’s
+enthusiasm and ardor cooled considerably. He doubted now that he had
+been called for a good purpose.
+
+“Don’t say a word,” Rice greeted him swinging suddenly in his chair.
+“Listen to what I say. I’ve heard all about everything, and I know just
+where everybody stands.”
+
+David had no idea what the man was talking about, but kept his mouth
+shut. After a moment the ranchman continued:
+
+“Somebody is going to have a surprise coming to him soon and it won’t
+be a pleasant one either. What I mean is this. Cattle have been
+disappearing. Two hundred yearlings are gone. They were stolen. Now,
+that ought to be enough. Be mighty careful because we’ll find out the
+guilty one and then----. That’s all. Get out.”
+
+David was stunned by this information. At first he could not fully
+comprehend the meaning of the words he had just heard. Cattle had been
+stolen! Two hundred of them! What was the man driving at? Surely, he did
+not suspect him of being guilty of the deed. Why should he do such a
+thing? What could he do with the cattle even if he had taken them? These
+and similar thoughts raced through his mind in a bewildering stream,
+followed by bitter resentment that the subject had been mentioned to him
+at all. He had not been accused directly, it is true; but there was the
+insinuation of guilt or suspicion of it. His first impulse was to return
+to Rice instantly and to tell him what he thought of the whole outfit
+and then to leave, regardless of the consequences. He had succeeded in
+getting there alone and unaided; he could go away in the same manner.
+But after a moment’s consideration he decided to do nothing of the kind;
+a better plan had suggested itself. He would catch the thief and thereby
+clear his own name. Not until then would he be justified in leaving. To
+go now might be interpreted as an admission of guilt.
+
+That night he conversed long and seriously with Miguel. And the next day
+the latter, who was supposed to be in the thick of the round-up but
+whose absence was not missed in the excitement of the work, was far
+away, engaged in another enterprise.
+
+He reported fully to David that night, as they made their customary
+visit to the corrals.
+
+“I found it,” he said, so soon as they were out of hearing of the men in
+the huts. “I know it’s the trail made by the missing cattle, because the
+tracks are all the same size.”
+
+David was inclined to be skeptical.
+
+“If you could find it, why couldn’t the boss?” he asked. “He has been
+looking all day for some clue that would lead him to the recovery of his
+property.”
+
+“He didn’t look in the right place. First, the cattle were driven
+through the marsh so as to cover their trail. Then they went through
+that wide patch of forest over there,” pointing to a black clump of
+trees far in the distance, “and when they had passed through that they
+were several kilometers away--far enough to make picking up their tracks
+a difficult matter.”
+
+“That’s great! What else did you find out?” David said.
+
+“There was a strange man in the corrals this evening when I got back. He
+was talking to Dom Carlos.”
+
+“I wonder if he is still here!”
+
+“No! He left a short while after I came and he rode through the marsh
+and into the woods.”
+
+“Good! That’s all we need to know.”
+
+It was two days later that Miguel stole into the hut where David was
+perspiring over his task in the middle of the afternoon. A new lot of
+cattle had been driven into the corrals that morning.
+
+“The stranger is here again,” he said, “and Dom Carlos is showing him
+the pen of two-year-olds.”
+
+“We’ll see tonight,” David returned; it was hard for him to restrain his
+excitement. “Have two horses ready. Get them any way you can, but be
+sure to have them. I’ll have the other things.”
+
+Miguel returned to his work and David continued with his task; the hours
+seemed like days.
+
+It was dark when Miguel came to announce that the horses were waiting,
+and the two lost no time in going to the place where they had been tied.
+Soon the moon would rise and that would mean their discovery and the
+spoiling of their plan, so there was need of haste.
+
+The two rode slowly through the marsh, so as to make as little noise as
+possible. A half hour later they emerged from the mire and entered the
+clump of trees. By this time the moon had risen above the horizon and a
+faint light penetrated through the treetops.
+
+They had not gone far when a pair of dark forms appeared out of the
+shadows and came toward them. The riders stopped and awaited the
+approach of the two.
+
+“Is everything all right?” the foremost asked. “Where are the animals?”
+
+“They’re coming,” Miguel answered, as they dismounted leisurely. They
+led their horses to a tree and tied them. Then they walked carelessly to
+where the strangers were standing.
+
+The next thing the latter knew they were facing two revolvers, the
+muzzles of which were thrust against their chests.
+
+“Put up your hands!” David commanded, and the order was obeyed in an
+instant, so completely had the men been taken by surprise.
+
+“Thanks!” David continued. “We’re not going to hurt you in the least,
+that is, so long as you do what we say. But be careful; these guns are
+so easy on the trigger they can’t stand the least little pull. Don’t
+make me nervous or there might be an accident.”
+
+As he spoke, Miguel and he had relieved the two astonished men of their
+weapons.
+
+“What do you want?” one of them asked in a trembling voice.
+
+“You’re waiting for the cattle. They’re coming. One of you must go
+through with the deal, as if nothing had happened. My companion will
+guard the other of you while I substitute in his place to watch the
+deal. That isn’t much to ask, is it?”
+
+“This is the man I saw at the corral,” Miguel volunteered. “Let him meet
+Carlos.”
+
+“All right,” David returned. “Take the other one away, Miguel. Make him
+turn around and keep your gun against his back. If he makes one
+suspicious move--you know what to do; or, if I give the signal, shoot
+him anyway. I’ll keep my eyes on this one.”
+
+Miguel marched his prisoner into the shadows a short distance away.
+
+“You may cross your arms now,” David addressed the man before him. “They
+must be getting tired; but keep them crossed. What shall I call you?”
+
+“Ramón.”
+
+“All right, Ramón, when Carlos comes, conduct your business with him
+just as if I were not here. Take the cattle and pay for them. But don’t
+forget for one second that I am right here by your side. This gun in my
+hand shoots quicker and straighter than any I ever saw; I can’t miss
+with it.”
+
+“I haven’t any money,” Ramón said in a surly voice.
+
+“How do you pay for the cattle?”
+
+“I just give a receipt for them. Then when I sell them down river, we
+divide the money.”
+
+“That’s a good system. It’s better than carrying a lot of money, because
+somebody might rob you. Give Carlos the receipt.”
+
+“What shall I say if he asks about you? He knows Lucas who was with me.”
+
+“Tell him Lucas can’t be with you this evening, and that I am taking his
+place. I’ll tie a handkerchief over my face so he won’t know me.”
+
+“What are you going to do with us?” the man next asked.
+
+“Well, that depends.” David was thoughtful. “If you don’t do everything
+just as I told you to I’ll just let you lie here where you fall. If you
+carry out your part, we’ll let you go. That will give you a whole
+night’s start in the event anyone should want to go after you in the
+morning. I’d advise you not to stop until you are out of the country and
+never to come back again.”
+
+Ramón seemed relieved.
+
+“I’ll do just as you ordered,” he said. “Don’t worry.”
+
+“I’m not worrying. That’s for you to do.”
+
+It seemed but a few minutes before they heard the trampling of many feet
+and soon the cattle began to drift into the forest. They moved slowly
+and were a long time in passing, for their number was great.
+
+At the end of the lines came Dom Carlos. David recognized him on sight,
+even in the semi-darkness.
+
+“Here they are,” he said, without dismounting. “Give me the receipt, and
+see that you get a better price for these or you can’t have any more.
+Hurry up. I’ve got to get back before I’m missed.”
+
+The man handed Carlos a slip of paper which the latter scanned and then
+carefully concealed in a little pocket under the holster of his
+revolver.
+
+He seemed about to depart. Then he looked up suddenly.
+
+“Who’s that?” he asked sharply, pointing to David. “Where’s Lucas?”
+
+David trembled in fear of what might happen, but Ramón played his part
+well.
+
+“Oh,” he said easily, “Lucas can’t be here tonight so this man is taking
+his place. He’s all right, though.”
+
+Carlos said no more but turned and galloped away.
+
+Miguel brought out his prisoner after a short wait and then they told
+the men to get on their horses and leave as fast as they could, which
+order they were not long in carrying out.
+
+“Here, Miguel,” David said, when the clatter of the hoofs of the two
+fleeing horses had died in the distance, “you can take this gun, too.
+That makes two for you. I thought it best not to give them back to the
+thieves and as I have one of my own I don’t need another.” Then he added
+with a chuckle, “that will make up for your having to use a pill bottle
+tonight. Honestly, I tried hard to borrow or steal one for you to use,
+but I couldn’t.”
+
+“Thanks,” Miguel said with beaming eyes. “I was scared to death the man
+would see I had a bottle and not a gun.”
+
+“That’s why I told him to turn his back--so he couldn’t see.”
+
+In accordance with their plan, Miguel remained to watch the cattle while
+David mounted and rode to camp.
+
+The place was in a fever of activity when he arrived. Several of the men
+ran out to meet him and from their excited chatter he gathered several
+things.
+
+Rice had suspected trouble and had made a personal inspection of the
+corrals soon after dark. The pens of the two-year-olds had been found
+empty. Worst of all, there were no tracks to tell in which direction the
+animals had gone.
+
+“He thinks you took them,” one of the men ventured, half-fearfully, “you
+and Miguel, because you had taken horses and were missing.”
+
+David said nothing, but rode to the office structure and, without
+knocking, entered. Rice was alone, at the table as usual, his head
+propped up in his hands. Several kerosene lamps lighted up the room.
+
+David waited a moment, but as the man did not look up he strode quickly
+to his side.
+
+“Mr. Rice,” he said quietly, “I know you don’t like me and you don’t
+want me here, and I’m not going to bother you much longer. But what you
+said to me the last time was too much. I can’t stand that. I couldn’t go
+after you had all but called me a thief until I could prove the facts. I
+can do that now and I’m leaving tomorrow morning. I got here alone and I
+can get back the same way.”
+
+Rice had jumped to his feet at the first words and stood looking at
+David. He had undergone a remarkable change. His face was drawn and
+there was a pathetic expression in his eyes. When he spoke his voice was
+almost plaintive.
+
+“What do you mean?” he asked. “Sit down and let’s talk things over.”
+
+“No, thank you,” David replied. “I’ve become used to standing on my
+feet. You saw to it that I did. But what I came to see you about was
+that cattle proposition. More have been stolen tonight. The mozos met me
+with the information that Miguel and I are suspected of their theft
+because we could not be located in the ranch. Were we the only ones away
+at the time?”
+
+“Please.” Rice’s voice was pleading now. “You don’t understand; but you
+will soon.”
+
+“Yes, and if I may say it, you too will understand very soon.”
+
+“Yes,” Rice continued, “Carlos was gone also. They said he had gone to
+chase the thieves.”
+
+“And do you believe that?”
+
+The subject of the conversation entered at that moment.
+
+“I chased them many kilometers,” he said, wiping the perspiration from
+his face, “but they escaped. I must have killed or at least wounded some
+of them, because I shot at them each time I got near enough.”
+
+David appeared elated.
+
+“I would consider it an honor to clean the revolver of such a brave
+man,” he said quickly. “The barrel must be all fouled. Please, may I?”
+
+Dom Carlos scowled as he hesitated.
+
+“Let him do it.” It was Rice who spoke, as if indulgently. “A man with
+courage such as yours should have a servant.”
+
+The foreman smiled at this compliment. And, besides, here was another
+opportunity to humiliate David.
+
+He carelessly removed the revolver from the holster and laid it on the
+table. David had it in an instant.
+
+“Now take off the belt and give it to the boss,” he commanded, levelling
+the weapon at the foreman, “and do it right away.”
+
+The latter flew into a rage.
+
+“Are you going to let this _mozo_ insult and threaten me like that?” he
+asked.
+
+“Go on, Carlos. Take it off.” It was Rice who spoke. “Better humor him;
+he has us at a disadvantage.”
+
+At this the foreman was too startled to make a reply. He began to
+understand the turn affairs were taking. His arms hung limply. He was
+about to collapse.
+
+“I’ll take it off for you, then,” David said.
+
+He handed the belt to Rice.
+
+“Look into the little pocket under the holster and you will know who
+stole your cattle.”
+
+Rice obeyed mechanically, with trembling fingers, and found not one but
+two pieces of paper.
+
+“I see,” he said; “receipts for both lots of cattle that disappeared.
+Carlos, what have you to say?”
+
+But the man was incapable of speech. He had slumped, moaning, to the
+floor. Several of the men, coming at Rice’s call, removed him to an
+inner room and remained to guard him.
+
+David now told the whole story of what had occurred, ending with,
+“Miguel is staying with the cattle until you send someone to help him
+round them up and bring them back. I’m going to pack my things now, so I
+can start early in the morning.”
+
+He turned to go, but Rice grasped his arm and held him fast.
+
+“No!” he said in a strained voice. “I don’t blame you for wanting to get
+away from here, and after what you’ve gone through I have no right to
+ask you to stay to endure more of it. But don’t leave--tomorrow morning.
+Wait a few days longer. There will be a launch then.”
+
+“I can go alone, as I came. The one comforting thought I can take with
+me from Las Palmas is that I didn’t trouble anyone, and I can’t start
+doing that now.”
+
+“I want to see you in the morning.” Again Rice was pleading. “Promise
+that you’ll stay just one more day. I have something to say to you.”
+
+And David promptly showed his fine character by agreeing to the request.
+
+“I am expecting the launch from Manaos any hour now,” Rice said the next
+morning, after warmly greeting David. “It will bring a surprise for
+you.”
+
+“Mail!” David exclaimed enthusiastically. “It has been so long since I
+had a letter from home.”
+
+“There may be letters, but I was thinking of something else. It will
+bring something--someone, I should say----”
+
+“You don’t mean that my--my--” David gasped.
+
+“Yes, your father is coming.”
+
+The listener was so overcome at this news that he was speechless. He
+grasped a chair for support.
+
+“And now I am going to tell you the whole story,” Rice continued. “Your
+father wrote me before you came that he wanted this to be your last
+change. He asked me to make things so bad, so trying, so disagreeable,
+that only the strongest faith in yourself could carry you through. I was
+either to make or break you. I did what I considered was proper and the
+men were given their instructions. Some things went too far; I know
+that, because I have questioned each one and I learned the truth. Carlos
+abused my confidence and you because in you he saw a possible rival. I
+was misled by him or I should not have entrusted you to his care.”
+
+“How about accusing me of stealing the cattle?” David was on the point
+of tears.
+
+“If you will think back you will remember that I did not accuse you. I
+simply wanted to put you on your mettle. I firmly believed you could
+catch the thief; I couldn’t, and you don’t know how hard I tried. I
+never even suspected Carlos. That was the last test and I had to make it
+so strong that when you came through it there would be no further
+possible question in my mind as to your character and ability. Boy, boy,
+you’ve made good a million times over and I wish I could keep you here
+always. I would trust you with anything; you would find a way out of
+every difficulty.”
+
+“Do you want me to stay?” David asked, as in a dream.
+
+“Yes, because then I could honestly feel that there was one person on
+the place worthy of my confidence.”
+
+“Let me see.” David was bewildered. “I must have time to think.”
+
+He rose to go.
+
+“Have your things moved over here,” Rice said as he started away. “You
+are to live with me hereafter.”
+
+David, however, preferred to remain with the men until he knew
+definitely what the future held in store for him. He went back to his
+quarters and there he found Miguel.
+
+“You are going?” the latter asked anxiously.
+
+“I don’t know,” David replied. “But I know now what you wanted to tell
+me. I suspected it at times, but then things got so bad I thought I
+must be mistaken. Dom Carlos was to blame.”
+
+“I’m glad you know. Carlos was always urging me to cause you trouble.
+And then, after you knocked me down in front of the others, I became
+angry and was in earnest. I’m sorry.”
+
+“Never mind. It’s all over. You’re my best friend and I want you to keep
+that place.”
+
+The launch came the next afternoon, and after the lengthy, joyous
+greetings were over, Rice, father and son settled down to a serious
+discussion of the future.
+
+“You know,” the elder David said with great animation, “you have
+converted me entirely. You have opened my eyes. I am not asking you to
+come back to the city to live. On the contrary, I discovered that there
+are thousands of acres of the best land on earth lying idle right in our
+own country. I did not know it before, because living in the cramped
+city made me blind and narrow to the beauty and possibilities of the
+great outdoors. We are all going away from the dust and the grime of the
+crowded metropolis. We, too, want to see the blue sky overhead and feel
+the green grass under our feet. What do you say? I will get as much land
+as you want and put you in full control.”
+
+“That’s too wonderful to be true.” David spoke softly. “We can talk it
+over and decide just how much we need and where it must be. But Mr. Rice
+has asked me to stay, and to tell the truth I haven’t even started yet
+to learn. You can get the land and hold it, because so far I’m not
+capable of taking charge of anything. I’ve been drifting from one thing
+to another, neither doing nor learning anything of consequence. So I
+must stay until the purpose for which I came is accomplished. When I am
+sure enough of myself to drop my anchor I’ll come back to you, and then
+we can begin the real life and the only one that’s worth while.”
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+Typographical errors corrected by the etext transcriber:
+
+I am sorrry, but Wellman=> I am sorry, but Wellman {pg 5}
+
+Para=> Pará {pg 30 x 3}
+
+He approached cautionsly=> He approached cautiously {pg 211}
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77361 ***
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+  <head>
+<link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover">
+
+<meta charset="utf-8">
+<title>
+  The Project Gutenberg eBook of Adrift on the Amazon, by Leo E. Miller.
+</title>
+<style>
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+  </head>
+<body>
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77361 ***</div>
+<hr class="full">
+
+<p class="toc"><a href="#CONTENTS">CONTENTS</a><br>
+<a href="#ILLUSTRATIONS">ILLUSTRATIONS</a><br>
+<a href="#transcrib">TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE</a></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter">
+<a href="images/cover.jpg">
+<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="370" height="550" alt=""></a>
+</div>
+
+<p class="c">BY LEO E. MILLER</p>
+
+<div class="poetry"><div class="poem"><small>
+ADRIFT ON THE AMAZON<br>
+THE BLACK PHANTOM<br>
+THE HIDDEN PEOPLE<br>
+IN THE TIGER'S LAIR</small>
+</div></div>
+
+<p class="c">CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS<br><br><br>
+ADRIFT<br>
+ON THE AMAZON</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" id="ill_001">
+<a href="images/i_frontis.jpg">
+<img src="images/i_frontis.jpg" width="370" height="550" alt=""></a>
+<div class="caption"><p>New cuts were made in the trees for the next day's supply.</p>
+
+<p>
+[<i>Page 136</i><br>
+</p></div>
+</div>
+
+<h1>
+ADRIFT<br>
+ON THE AMAZON</h1>
+
+<p class="cb">BY<br>
+LEO E. MILLER<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<small>ILLUSTRATED</small><br>
+<br>
+<br>
+NEW YORK<br>
+CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS<br>
+1923<br>
+<br><br><br><small>
+<span class="smcap">Copyright, 1923, by</span><br>
+CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS<br>
+<br>
+Printed in the United States of America<br></small>
+<br><br><br>
+<img src="images/colophon.png"
+width="90"
+height="102"
+alt=""></p>
+
+<p class="cb">
+TO<br>
+<br>
+ALL READERS<br>
+WHO HAVE A WHOLESOME LIKING<br>
+FOR STORIES<br>
+OF ADVENTURE AND THE GREAT OUTDOORS<br>
+</p>
+
+<h2><a id="PREFACE">PREFACE</a></h2>
+
+<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> Amazon! Who has not been thrilled at the mere mention of the words?
+For the name of the world’s mightiest river suggests not only vast
+expanses of muddy water, but also the jungle-clad shores and wild
+hinterland where nature seems to have run riot in the development of
+strange and interesting vegetation and animal life, and of tribes of
+savages but little known and less understood. There is romance and
+adventure to be found in each mile of its yellow flood or gloomy
+thickets. But to only a few is given the privilege of lifting the veil
+of mystery that hangs over the Amazon country and of exploring its
+hidden retreats.</p>
+
+<p>“Adrift on the Amazon” is the story of a youth’s struggles against the
+seemingly insurmountable difficulties that confronted the intrepid
+wanderer into the Amazon wilderness.</p>
+
+<h2><a id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS</a></h2>
+
+<table>
+<tr><td>CHAPTER</td> <td>&#160; </td>
+<td>PAGE</td></tr>
+<tr><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">I.</a></td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_I"> FIGHTING JONES</a></td><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_page_1">1</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">II.</a></td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_II"> DAVID LEAVES HOME</a></td><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_page_13">13</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">III.</a></td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_III"> THE AMAZON</a></td><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_page_21">21</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">IV.</a></td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_IV"> ROGER’S WORK</a></td><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_page_36">36</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">V.</a></td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_V"> A CHANGE OF FORTUNE</a></td><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_page_51">51</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">VI.</a></td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_VI"> HARPOONING A RIVER MONSTER</a></td><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_page_64">64</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">VII.</a></td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_VII"> WHEN THE RIVER RAN RIOT</a></td><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_page_78">78</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">VIII.</a></td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"> THE ROAD TO LAS PALMAS</a></td><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_page_91">91</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">IX.</a></td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_IX"> THE BEAST</a></td><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_page_104">104</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">X.</a></td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_X"> THE ASCENT OF THE UPPER AMAZON</a></td><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_page_115">115</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">XI.</a></td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XI"> IN THE RUBBER FOREST</a></td><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_page_128">128</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">XII.</a></td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XII"> A BATTLE WITH A CROCODILE</a></td><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_page_140">140</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">XIII.</a></td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"> ADRIFT IN THE FOREST</a></td><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_page_154">154</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">XIV.</a></td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"> THE RESCUE FROM THE ANT ARMY</a></td><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_page_168">168</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">XV.</a></td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XV"> THE CHARGE OF THE INDIANS</a></td><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_page_178">178</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">XVI.</a></td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI"> THE BATTLE IN THE JUNGLE</a></td><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_page_191">191</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">XVII.</a></td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII"> THE TERROR OF THE ISLAND</a></td><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_page_203">203</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">XVIII.</a></td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII"> WHEN THE WATER RAN HIGH</a></td><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_page_216">216</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">XIX.</a></td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX"> THE BROWN MEN OF THE JUNGLE</a></td><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_page_229">229</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">XX.</a></td><td><a href="#CHAPTER_XX"> THE DRIFTING ENDS</a></td><td class="rt"><a href="#CHAPTER_page_242">242</a></td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<h2><a id="ILLUSTRATIONS">ILLUSTRATIONS</a></h2>
+
+<table>
+<tr><td  class="pdd"><a href="#ill_001">New cuts were made in the trees for the next day’s supply</a></td><td class="rt"><a href="#ill_001"><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td>&#160; </td><td class="rt"><small>FACING&#160;PAGE</small></td></tr>
+<tr><td  class="pdd"><a href="#ill_002">A huge silvery form ... leaped out of the water, rolled and wallowed convulsively, and sank from sight</a></td><td class="rt"><a href="#page_74">74</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td  class="pdd"><a href="#ill_003">He delivered thrust after thrust with his right at the vulnerable neck and throat</a></td><td class="rt"><a href="#page_150">150</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td  class="pdd"><a href="#ill_004">Again facing toward the ... white men ... he grasped the arrow in both hands, snapped the shaft in two ... and threw the pieces into the river</a></td><td class="rt"><a href="#page_232">232</a></td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<p class="cb">
+ADRIFT<br>
+ON THE AMAZONoi<br>
+</p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I</a><br><br>
+FIGHTING JONES</h2>
+
+<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">To</span> David’s friends he was commonly known as “Fighting Jones”; but this
+name carried nothing of discredit with it; for, though the title had
+been earned by the not infrequent use of two good fists, the encounters
+had always been occasioned by a righteous cause&mdash;in protection of
+someone who was unable to defend his or her own interest.</p>
+
+<p>The trouble was that the one higher up, the final authority as it were,
+had always decided against him. Sometimes words of sympathy, even
+approbation, had softened the rebuke that invariably followed each
+altercation; but in the final summing up he had never escaped the
+penalty.</p>
+
+<p>David was downcast. It seemed as if the bottom had dropped out of
+everything. And as he mentally reviewed the events of the past ten
+minutes and speculated upon their consequences he knew that at last he
+had reached the very end of his tether. He had arrived at the parting of
+the ways; a break was plainly in sight; and at last he meant to assert
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>His determined nature began to show itself so long ago as David could
+remember and probably before that. But he could recall the first
+difficulty in the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_1">{pg 1}</a><br><a id="page_2">{2}</a></span> kindergarten when one of the older and larger boys
+took advantage of his small size to deprive him of some cherished
+plaything. He never forgot that fight, nor the punishment he received at
+the hand of a stern father.</p>
+
+<p>Later, years later, in high school, there had been the trouble when the
+principal had rebuked Miss Palmer, the instructor in Latin, before the
+whole class. The principal was a big, gruff man whose main attributes
+were to look stern at all times in an effort to instill discipline and
+to rejoice secretly when others showed signs of fear. He ruled by
+intimidation. Miss Palmer was meek and frail and when the lordly Mr.
+Davison assailed her she began to cry. That was too much for David. He
+calmly arose and informed the surprised Mr. Davison that he would never
+see any woman mistreated like that and if he did not stop at once and
+apologize he would knock his block off. Several of his classmates now
+came to his assistance. That precipitated a row. Result&mdash;David as
+ringleader of the mutiny was dismissed. Discipline had to be maintained.</p>
+
+<p>He worried through school and college somehow or other. Then was forced
+into business by his father and tried hard to make good and was
+progressing in a satisfactory, so he thought, if not brilliant manner
+until&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Wellman, the chief engineer, was passing through the draughting room.
+David, busy at his board, was not even aware of his presence until he
+heard a muffled cough in back of him.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_3">{3}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“Good morning, Mr. Wellman,” he said pleasantly, turning to greet his
+chief.</p>
+
+<p>“How are the plans coming along?” the latter said abruptly. “I want to
+have the blue-prints struck off this afternoon.”</p>
+
+<p>“They will be ready in an hour,” David returned. “I am just finishing
+the terrace.”</p>
+
+<p>“Let me see!” Wellman adjusted his tortoise shell spectacles. “What
+scale?”</p>
+
+<p>“Quarter inch.”</p>
+
+<p>“What? Quarter inch?” One would have thought Wellman had been shot, the
+way he roared. “Didn’t I tell you to make it half inch?”</p>
+
+<p>“I am sorry. I must have misunderstood. I will do them over.”</p>
+
+<p>“Impossible. The superintendent must have the blue-prints tonight.”</p>
+
+<p>“That is impossible too. I cannot do two days’ work in a few hours and
+do it right.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’ll never know anything.” Wellman bellowed, while all the others in
+the office turned to see and hear what was going on.</p>
+
+<p>“Now, look here,” David interrupted. “There is no excuse for your acting
+like that. You passed my table several times both yesterday and the day
+before and it seems to me as if you should have noticed the mistake
+then. Besides, I am sure you said quarter inch scale to begin with.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s right! that’s right! Blame it on me. You think you can do as you
+please because your father<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_4">{4}</a></span> is president of this concern.” The chief was
+talking louder than ever.</p>
+
+<p>“If it were not for your age I’d thrash you until you took that back.”</p>
+
+<p>“Never mind my gray hair. Never mind my glasses; I’ll take them off.
+Here I am. Go to it. You are a privileged person around here. Do
+anything you like.”</p>
+
+<p>Instead of replying, David threw down his drawing instruments and left
+the room. He headed straight for his father’s office. Arrived there he
+was told by a secretary to sit down in the ante-room; his father had
+given orders not to admit him until he should ring for him.</p>
+
+<p>So! He knew about it already! Wellman had forestalled him by using the
+telephone. It was just as well that he had. His father would have the
+chief’s version of the affair and be ready to hear the other side of it.</p>
+
+<p>A buzzer sounded and the secretary nodded to him to enter.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment the elder Jones did not notice him. Then he turned abruptly
+in his chair and faced his son.</p>
+
+<p>“What have you got to say?” he asked, not unkindly and rather sadly.</p>
+
+<p>“Wellman told you what happened, I suppose.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes. He just called up. I want to hear your side of the matter.”</p>
+
+<p>David gave an accurate account of the occurrence from beginning to end,
+while his father listened resignedly.</p>
+
+<p>“Wellman is an old and valued employe, but I think<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_5">{5}</a></span> this time he went
+too far. Disregarding the fact that you are my son, I am inclined to
+believe that you were not at fault&mdash;in fact, I am rather proud of the
+way you handled the situation. Still, that does not settle the issue.
+That office is too small for you and Wellman; so Wellman will have to
+go.”</p>
+
+<p>David could not believe his ears and for a moment he was speechless.</p>
+
+<p>“You don’t mean that you are going to fire him?” he asked finally.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes. He went too far. The two of you would always be at odds after this
+and it would demoralize the whole department. I am sorry, but Wellman
+will receive his notice today.”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t want to see him lose his job. He is old and would have a hard
+time to find another. Why not keep him and let me out?”</p>
+
+<p>“Because I want you to learn this business thoroughly; you may be called
+upon to take my place some day. You are just starting life. Your welfare
+is my first consideration.”</p>
+
+<p>David saw his chance at last.</p>
+
+<p>“If that is true,” he quickly interposed, “don’t start me on the wrong
+track. I do not want to stay in this business. I hate it. I tried to
+make good only to please you. If you are really thinking of my welfare,
+let me pick out my own work.”</p>
+
+<p>“What is wrong with this? It offers most unusual opportunities for great
+and lasting success.”</p>
+
+<p>“I know, but somehow or other I don’t seem to fit in. I dislike the city
+and all business. I want to go away<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_6">{6}</a></span> where there is room to expand and
+to learn big things of another kind.”</p>
+
+<p>“Remember the possibilities I just mentioned. You might some day erect a
+building taller than any of today or build a cathedral that would be a
+monument to your genius.”</p>
+
+<p>“I would rather plow with a tractor and sow wheat; or herd cattle; or
+raise pigs than build anything no matter how great. I could put my whole
+heart and soul into that work and enjoy it. I want space to do my
+thinking and to develop in. I want green grass under my feet and a blue
+sky overhead. It is too crowded here. There are just as big things to be
+done in one place as in another.”</p>
+
+<p>“Good gracious! Who put all that into your head? Or did you read it in
+some book?”</p>
+
+<p>“It has just been growing on me and with me. I must get away from here.
+Let me work out my own future.”</p>
+
+<p>“Suppose I should refuse to listen any further.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then I am afraid I should go anyway, not right now, perhaps, but at
+some future time. The thought of all this is bigger than I am, and some
+day, soon, it would get the better of me and I should be compelled to
+go.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, well!” His father was obviously worried. “So you have made up
+your mind. You refuse to go back to your work here?”</p>
+
+<p>“I should rather not. And, let Wellman stay.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll see. Now you go straight home and wait for<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_7">{7}</a></span> me there. This thing
+will have to be settled one way or the other.”</p>
+
+<p>As David left the building his mind was filled with so many things that
+it was impossible to think clearly on any one of them. Two things kept
+recurring to him, however, because they had been so unexpected. The
+first was that his father had taken sides with him in the controversy,
+had admitted that he was right and that Wellman was in the wrong; he had
+even gone so far as to volunteer to discharge the old and valued
+employe. And the second was that for the first time his parent had
+indicated a willingness to seriously listen to the thing he felt best
+suited him and for which he was eager to sacrifice his enviable
+prospects as a man of the business world.</p>
+
+<p>He could hardly wait to tell his mother. She had always been a
+sympathetic listener and while she had never greatly encouraged him in
+his ambition she had never discouraged him.</p>
+
+<p>It was, therefore, a source of disappointment to him to find upon
+reaching home that his mother was not there. She had an appointment for
+luncheon, the cook informed him, and would go to a club meeting after
+that. It was impossible to draw any further information from the cook.
+David suspected that she knew more, but to his casual remark that she
+must have decided rather suddenly to go, there came no response.
+Evidently the cook had orders not to talk, so he did not question her
+further.</p>
+
+<p>The afternoon seemed like a year. He tried to read a magazine; then a
+book, but after turning a few pages<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_8">{8}</a></span> he was forced to admit that he did
+not know what he was reading about, so he closed it with a bang and
+calling Spike, his terrier, went for a walk in the garden.</p>
+
+<p>David had just passed his twenty-first year. He was tall, of athletic
+build, with dark hair and eyes. There was the look of determination in
+his face that caused others instinctively to respect him. And his
+regular, pleasant features bespoke intelligence and breeding. If his
+natural bent could only be diverted into the proper channel, there was
+no question but that inborn ability and determination would make
+themselves felt, and in no uncertain manner.</p>
+
+<p>His father and mother returned just in time for dinner. That there was
+anything unusual about this did not occur to David for, often when his
+mother chanced to be in the vicinity of the office in the late afternoon
+she dropped in and the two motored home together.</p>
+
+<p>The conversation during the meal was a conventional one. It was not
+until later when the three were together in the library that the subject
+uppermost in David’s mind was broached.</p>
+
+<p>“I have been talking this thing over with your mother,” his father began
+abruptly. “There is but one thing in our minds. Regardless of how we
+feel about it personally, we must consent to the course that seems best
+for your own good.”</p>
+
+<p>David said nothing, but looked expectantly at his mother.</p>
+
+<p>“Are you sure, David?” she asked in a low voice. “Is your mind made up
+definitely? Is there not the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_9">{9}</a></span> least possibility that you may want to
+reconsider? Remember you are young. A mistake may mean the loss of
+years, perhaps, that will never return. Here you have rare opportunities
+to make both name and fortune. It would be well to think of these things
+and to try to picture what it will mean to you to give up a certainty
+for an uncertainty, for you know very little about the course you are
+favoring.”</p>
+
+<p>“I have thought of all that,” he said uncomfortably, “and I wish I could
+feel differently, for your sake. But I just can’t help it. I have always
+wanted to be out in the open where there is room to see and do things.”</p>
+
+<p>For a moment nothing was said.</p>
+
+<p>“Well,” his father finally ventured with a sigh, “then there is nothing
+for us to do but to give you the chance you think we owe you. Be sure
+that you are sure. Take a few weeks to think it over in. But you must
+promise one thing. If we let you go and you don’t make good or find out
+that you were mistaken after all, you will come back to the office and
+buckle down to hard work and never mention the subject again.”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t need the time; my mind is made up now. And, I promise; but I
+will get along all right and in the end you will be glad you let me try
+it.”</p>
+
+<p>They insisted on the time for reflection, however, and during the two
+weeks that followed no mention was made of the matter. David did not go
+back to the office; he spent the days, and parts of the nights, too, in
+reading books on agriculture. These consisted mainly of government
+publications, long possessed and secretly cherished. He had read them so
+often that<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_10">{10}</a></span> he was sure he knew all about farming and ranching; in fact,
+when he should use all this information together with some ideas of his
+own that he had worked out, he should greatly improve if not
+revolutionize the whole farming and ranching business.</p>
+
+<p>When the two weeks had expired there was another council in the library.</p>
+
+<p>“What is the verdict?” his father asked. “Will you go or will you stay?”</p>
+
+<p>“I want to go just as soon as possible.”</p>
+
+<p>“Have you considered the matter fully from all angles?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, I have.”</p>
+
+<p>“And you still feel that your calling is out in the country?”</p>
+
+<p>“Be absolutely sure of yourself before you answer,” his mother
+cautioned.</p>
+
+<p>“I am sure. I feel that when I get away from the noise and hurry and
+confinement of the city I can accomplish more in a week than I could
+here in a year.”</p>
+
+<p>“And, if after trying it you find that you have been mistaken?”</p>
+
+<p>“I shall come back at once and do exactly as I promised.”</p>
+
+<p>“That settles it. You shall have your chance and it will be a rare one
+even though you cannot realize at what cost to us.” He shot a quick
+glance at his wife; her eyes were glistening.</p>
+
+<p>“The fact that we have known of your ambition for a long time does not
+make it easier for us, for you will<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_11">{11}</a></span> be far, far away. That alone will
+give you the opportunity to show your mettle. I think it best that it
+should be so, for you will be thrown entirely upon your own resources.
+Either you will become discouraged quickly and come back ready to take
+our advice, or you will do big things.”</p>
+
+<p>“Where?” David asked in an awed voice. “Where am I going?”</p>
+
+<p>“To South America, because there real opportunities exist for the right
+man.”</p>
+
+<p>“South America?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes. Dan Rice, a former client of mine, has a ranch in the Argentine.
+He went down fifteen years ago. He was a born stock man and made a huge
+success of the venture. I enquired about him and learned that he is
+opening a new place in Brazil, somewhere in the Upper Amazon country,
+above the city called Manaos. I shall send you to him. If ever there was
+a person who could judge men and get the best out of them, Rice is the
+one. What do you say?”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t know what to say except to thank both of you for letting me go.
+It is better than I even dreamed of. It will be wonderful!”</p>
+
+<p>“Good! I only hope you will not be too greatly disappointed when you get
+there.”</p>
+
+<p>They continued the discussion far into the night; but the thing the
+elder Jones did not tell his son was that he had already sent cablegrams
+to Rice in Manaos in an attempt to make arrangements for his coming. A
+very short time in the steaming and insect-infested tropics would be
+sufficient to cause a change of heart,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_12">{12}</a></span> he felt sure. The fact that he
+was in a wild country thousands of miles away from home and among
+strangers would hasten it and make it more emphatic. And, once his
+illusions were dispelled, David would be ready to settle down and do as
+he was told.</p>
+
+<p>As for David, he was too elated for words. “I am going at last,” he kept
+repeating to himself. “My luck has changed! My luck has changed!”</p>
+
+<p>But David was quite forgetful of the fact that there are two kinds of
+luck, good and bad; and that the former seldom lasts long, while the
+latter is inclined to linger with a most disheartening persistency, and
+then grow worse.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_13">{13}</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II</a><br><br>
+DAVID LEAVES HOME</h2>
+
+<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">David</span> was so excited over his proposed trip to a real ranch in South
+America that he found sleep impossible on the night following the
+momentous decision.</p>
+
+<p>His head felt like a whirling mass that refused to come to a standstill.
+He thought of a hundred things that he wanted to do all at once, but the
+thoughts rushed back and forth and around in circles so that he could
+not disentangle a single one to start with.</p>
+
+<p>He was going to have his wish at last; that much he realized. And South
+America at that! The very words were awe-inspiring. They suggested
+mighty rivers, vast jungles where monkeys formed living chains or
+bridges to span the streams, by clutching one another’s tails; and where
+giant snakes drooped like garlands from the branches of great trees
+while myriads of gorgeous birds and shimmering butterflies fluttered
+among the bright-colored flowers. These sights must be common ones, for
+had not the geographies pictured them as typical of the Southern
+Continent?</p>
+
+<p>David did not care, particularly, for some of the things he was sure he
+should encounter&mdash;especially the snakes and the crocodiles. But, of
+course, a ranch would not be situated out in the jungle; it would have<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_14">{14}</a></span>
+to be in the open where there was grass for the cattle. He tried to
+picture such a place. A long, rambling building painted white, with a
+few palm trees in front under which saddled horses were waiting
+patiently for their riders; more trees, of some kind or other, nearby,
+in the shade of which men dressed in buckskins, with fringes on their
+breeches and great, leather gauntlets on their arms, were sprawled on
+the grass, their wide-brimmed hats lying on the ground where they had
+been carelessly tossed by their owners.</p>
+
+<p>All about stretched the rolling meadows, miles and miles, dotted with
+herds of cattle peacefully grazing on the long, green grass.</p>
+
+<p>That was the picture that formed itself in his mind. But the things that
+did not occur to him, the things the geographies did not mention and
+that no one had told him about, so far, were the blistering heat of the
+tropics that could scorch and burn as mercilessly as the blast from a
+furnace; the insect pests that rendered life all but unendurable; the
+fevers that sapped one’s vitality; and the monotony of existence in
+far-away, lonely places with only the treacherous half-breeds and stolid
+Indians for companions. It was just as well that these unpleasant
+details and many others of similar nature remained in the obscure
+background; he would make their acquaintance soon enough.</p>
+
+<p>“Better decide on what you want to take with you,” his father advised
+the next day. “You will not need anything fancy, and keep the amount
+down as much as possible. Talk it over with your mother.”</p>
+
+<p>That was good advice and David followed it. But<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_15">{15}</a></span> it required nearly one
+full day to make out the list, go over it carefully, strike out some
+items, add others, and then start over again with the ever-present
+suspicion that something of importance had been forgotten.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll tell you what,” he said finally, “I am not going to take anything
+except a few clothes to wear on the trip, one khaki outfit and a gun.
+How do I know what is proper down there? I might take down a lot of
+things only to find that they are not suitable in that climate. And the
+other fellows working on the ranch must get their clothes somewhere in
+the neighborhood, so I can, too, after I find out exactly what I need.”</p>
+
+<p>His mother promptly agreed that that was the sensible thing to do. Only,
+she added, a few good books might prove not unwelcome companions on such
+a trip, so David promptly packed his volumes on cattle and agriculture
+as well as a few favorite others.</p>
+
+<p>The news of his intended journey spread rapidly among his friends and
+acquaintances. They immediately divided into two factions; one
+considered him the luckiest mortal in the world while the other thought
+he was the most foolish person imaginable.</p>
+
+<p>David pitied them all, impartially. No matter how they felt, they were
+all doomed to remain behind, chained to the treadmill of city existence,
+while he was the one to go forth into God’s great world with only the
+horizon to mark the boundary of his vision and activity.</p>
+
+<p>“I cannot understand it,” Mr. Jones announced one evening soon after.
+“Rice has not answered my cable. Perhaps he has given up the ranch and
+gone<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_16">{16}</a></span> to other parts. I am sorry, but you may not go after all. Too bad,
+after all the anticipation.”</p>
+
+<p>David’s heart sank.</p>
+
+<p>“Rice or no Rice, I am going just the same,” he announced.</p>
+
+<p>“But where to? If he has gone away there will be no place to which you
+can go.”</p>
+
+<p>“He couldn’t take the ranch with him, could he? If he has gone someone
+else must have it. And even if that outfit is out of existence there
+must be plenty of others. I am not fussy over where I make my start.”</p>
+
+<p>“Very well. So far as this proposition is concerned you shall have your
+own way. But you cannot blame me for being concerned about your
+welfare.”</p>
+
+<p>“Of course not. But at the same time, please don’t forget that I am not
+a baby. I can take care of myself.”</p>
+
+<p>His father bit his lip. His eyes narrowed as he regarded his son. And in
+that instant an idea came to him.</p>
+
+<p>“Just as you say,” he said quietly. “It will be your chance to show me
+just what you can do. The <i>Morales</i> sails a week from today and I shall
+make a reservation for you. In the meantime, I shall send other cables;
+you may go regardless of whether there are answers or not. Is that
+satisfactory?”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s splendid. I won’t sleep a wink until then.”</p>
+
+<p>On the eve of the great day the little group around the dinner table was
+very silent.</p>
+
+<p>“Rice has answered at last,” Mr. Jones said suddenly.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_17">{17}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“What did he say?” asked David, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>“Never mind what he said. You are determined to go, anyway, so it makes
+no difference.”</p>
+
+<p>“But does he want me to come?” David persisted.</p>
+
+<p>“Suppose he does?”</p>
+
+<p>“I should go, of course.”</p>
+
+<p>“And if he does not?”</p>
+
+<p>“I should go anyway. I am all ready, my ticket is bought and I couldn’t
+think of backing out. I should never hear the last of it.”</p>
+
+<p>“You are quite right. Everything is arranged, however, and I want you to
+go. You will do just as you planned.”</p>
+
+<p>David thought he noticed an amused expression on his father’s face, but
+he was not quite sure. It did seem, though, that his manner had changed
+remarkably in the last few days. His former reluctance had given way to
+seeming eagerness. But in the feverishness of his excitement David did
+not appraise these observations at their proper value and soon forgot
+them entirely.</p>
+
+<p>At last the memorable day actually arrived. The weeks of waiting had
+seemed an eternity. But here he was, aboard the great boat; some of the
+people about him were crying and for a moment he felt a strange feeling
+coming upon him. Going was not so easy as he had thought. Just then the
+bell warned all visitors to go ashore and amid the last farewells he was
+reminded of one thing.</p>
+
+<p>“Do not forget,” his father said, “you may return at any time you like
+and you will be welcome at home.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_18">{18}</a></span> Even if you stay only a few days, the
+experience of the voyage will be of value and you will be more content
+to settle down. Perhaps you will be back soon.”</p>
+
+<p>They went ashore. The gangway was raised and the engines began to throb
+ever so slowly as the ship backed out of her berth. Not long after that
+the boat was well out in the bay and the crowd that lined the dock
+merged into a waving mass in which it was impossible to distinguish
+anyone.</p>
+
+<p>Those last words filled David with something like resentment.</p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps you will be back soon!” Indeed! What did his father mean by
+that? Well, they would have to wait a long time before seeing him again.
+Upon that point he was determined. No matter what happened, he would not
+return home very soon. He would stick it out in the face of every
+obstacle and difficulty that might block his path. He would show them
+that he could make good if he but had the opportunity and the
+opportunity had come at last.</p>
+
+<p>By that time the ship was well down the harbor, so he sought his cabin
+to unpack his baggage. Upon entering he found a man several years his
+senior busily engaged straightening out his own effects.</p>
+
+<p>“My name is Rogers,” said the stranger, extending his hand. “I guess we
+share this place.”</p>
+
+<p>“Glad to know you. My name is Jones.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, as we are going to bunk together for a while I suppose we might
+as well toss a coin for the berths.”</p>
+
+<p>So saying, Rogers fished a dime out of his pocket.</p>
+
+<p>“What will it be?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_19">{19}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“I’ll take heads,” David replied.</p>
+
+<p>Rogers tossed the coin into the air.</p>
+
+<p>“Tails, you lose, Jones,” he said. “So I will take the lower. Anyway,
+you are younger and more spry than I am, so you will not mind climbing
+into the upper.”</p>
+
+<p>The conversation continued while they unpacked their luggage and the
+older man gave David a good deal of information, having noticed that he
+had not been to sea before. David rather liked Rogers and felt that this
+was the beginning of a pleasant friendship.</p>
+
+<p class="cb">* * * * * </p>
+
+<p>Dinner in the Jones household was a quiet, solemn affair that night.</p>
+
+<p>“Wellman played his part to perfection,” the father said finally. “Too
+well, in fact. For a while I was afraid David would agree with me that
+he should be discharged. But I am proud of the stand he took. He acted
+just as I would have had him do.”</p>
+
+<p>“Are you sure he does not suspect the plan was pre-arranged?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, he thought Wellman was serious in calling him down. He was going
+from bad to worse&mdash;through no fault of his own, I will admit. He tried
+hard to make good but could not; and he never will until he forgets
+those ideas with which his head is crammed. Only then will he come back
+to earth and buckle down to his job.”</p>
+
+<p>“Do you think he will be back soon?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_20">{20}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“Yes, I think so. When he sees what he is compelled to endure in Brazil
+he will become disillusioned in short order. I know what I am talking
+about and so I think a short time of it will be all he wants. Three
+months, at most.”</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Jones spoke with an air of finality. The ability to look ahead and
+forecast the outcome of things had in a large measure placed him on the
+pinnacle of success he occupied. But for once, and in spite of carefully
+arranged plans, he was doomed to disappointment. For the son possessed
+all the advantage; he was entering with unbounded enthusiasm a field for
+which he had prepared himself, however slightly, and of which he
+therefore had some knowledge, while the father was making predictions as
+to the outcome of affairs of which he knew nothing.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_21">{21}</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III</a><br><br>
+THE AMAZON</h2>
+
+<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Early</span> the next morning David became aware of the fact that he had
+embarked on a stormy voyage. The ship rolled and pitched in an alarming
+manner. He could hear the shrieking and moaning of the wind and feel the
+vessel tremble as the waves struck the steel sides with a muffled roar.</p>
+
+<p>At first he did not know just what to make of it, so he groped for the
+switch and turned on the light. Rogers was sleeping soundly in the berth
+below. There was no one stirring on deck or in the passageway, so he
+came to the conclusion that a storm was not an unusual occurrence and
+that everyone took it as a matter of fact, so he snapped off the light.</p>
+
+<p>But it was far from comfortable, this rolling and tossing, and sleep was
+impossible. Daylight soon came, however, and with it the bustle and
+sound of voices on deck incident to life aboard ship.</p>
+
+<p>“Going down to breakfast?” Rogers enquired, holding to a hand-rail with
+one hand while he calmly shaved with the other. He seemed to mind not at
+all the lurching of the boat.</p>
+
+<p>“I guess not; I don’t feel hungry,” David replied in a weak voice.</p>
+
+<p>“Sick?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_22">{22}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“A little. It’s not so bad while I lie still; but when I try to get up
+my head spins.”</p>
+
+<p>“Never mind. It will soon pass. Better have a cup of coffee; then you
+will feel better. I’ll ring for the steward.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, don’t. Please, let’s talk about something else; anything but food.
+Will the storm last long?”</p>
+
+<p>“It may clear up later. If it gets calmer come out for a walk on deck.
+The fresh air is a good tonic,” and he strode out of the room.</p>
+
+<p>But the storm did not subside. It lasted two whole days and three
+nights. By that time David was so ill he was compelled to remain in his
+berth another full day to recuperate sufficiently to venture out.</p>
+
+<p>The fresh air and the bright sunshine on the upper deck worked wonders.
+Added to these, long walks back and forth, a few games of shuffleboard
+and an occasional dip in the ship’s swimming tank soon restored his good
+health and usual cheerful manner.</p>
+
+<p>“You expect to work on a ranch in Brazil, eh?” Rogers commented one
+morning as they leaned over the rail to watch the flyingfish startled by
+the prow of the boat as she cut her way through the glassy water.</p>
+
+<p>“I not only expect to but I am going to,” David returned promptly.</p>
+
+<p>“How long are you going to stay?”</p>
+
+<p>“A long, long time. In fact, I haven’t thought of going back. I had
+better get there first.”</p>
+
+<p>“Know anything about ranching?”</p>
+
+<p>“Not much; but I can learn.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_23">{23}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“Know anything about Brazil or what you are going to be up against?”
+Rogers persisted.</p>
+
+<p>“Not a thing.”</p>
+
+<p>“Do you know what I think?”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m not a mind-reader.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I think you are foolish to try it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thank you,” David replied promptly.</p>
+
+<p>“I mean it.”</p>
+
+<p>“I can’t help what you think,” pleasantly. “My head is working overtime
+figuring out my own things.”</p>
+
+<p>“I would not go where you are going for a thousand dollars a month.”</p>
+
+<p>“Neither would I. I am doing this because I am interested in it and want
+to learn. Office work, no matter how easy, is unbearable to me because I
+don’t like it. Outdoor work, no matter how hard, will be fun because I
+do like it.”</p>
+
+<p>“I went to Manaos once, and that was far enough,” Rogers proceeded. “The
+heat, the rains, the mosquitoes, in fact everything that makes life
+miserable was there in too great abundance to suit me. If I were in your
+place I should go up the river for the sake of the trip. The Amazon
+country is great&mdash;to see from the deck of the steamer. Look at it until
+you have your fill and then go back to the good position you left. I am
+telling you right now that you are making a big mistake, and you will
+regret it.”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s very kind of you to take such an interest in me, but you must
+think I am a jellyfish. There is no use saying anything more. My mind is
+made up. I<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_24">{24}</a></span> wouldn’t even think of backing out&mdash;not for the world,”
+Jones asserted in no uncertain accents.</p>
+
+<p>“All right. Think it over.” Rogers yawned and went to his deck chair,
+while David took a small, red volume from his pocket and devoted his
+time to the study of Portuguese.</p>
+
+<p>The days slipped by pleasantly and quickly. The water assumed a deeper
+blue color and great rafts of seaweed dotted the surface. The air was
+balmy and delightful.</p>
+
+<p>There was always something new and interesting to see. The birds in
+particular attracted David’s attention, especially the man-o’-war birds
+that soared on motionless, narrow wings hour after hour and, it was
+said, day after day, in the cloudless sky. They rarely slept or rested
+but sailed on tireless pinions as if they enjoyed it, bent on some
+mission none could fathom. Then there were the little petrels or Mother
+Carey’s chickens, as the sailors called them, fluttering and skipping
+over the water like huge, black grasshoppers; they appeared in greatest
+numbers on those rare occasions when the ship passed through a choppy
+stretch of water.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the barren, rocky islands were fairly teeming with boobies,
+jaegers, gannets and other feathered lovers of the briny deep. They sat
+on the shelflike ledges running along the faces of the cliffs like the
+tiers of beads on an abacus. Other swarms filled the air, fluttering,
+soaring, circling and wheeling amidst squawks and screams while still
+other hordes sat motionless on the water.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_25">{25}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The jaegers were the pirates of the deep. They waited until the smaller
+birds returned from their successful fishing excursion, then attacked
+them until they disgorged their catches which they greedily appropriated
+to their own use.</p>
+
+<p>These sights fascinated David. How different from the imprisonment of
+the city! And this was but a taste of what he was to see, a sample of
+the free life in the open for which he longed.</p>
+
+<p>After nearly two weeks sailing he came on deck one morning to find that
+the color of the water had changed overnight. Instead of the clear,
+crisp blue the ship was ploughing her way through a sea of yellow that
+extended to the horizon on every side. He called the matter to the
+attention of Rogers.</p>
+
+<p>“That muddy water is discharged by the Amazon,” the latter said.</p>
+
+<p>“But we are not near the river yet,” David remarked incredulously.
+“There is no land in sight.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, we are not near the river and will not be until some time tomorrow.
+Even if we were in the very center of the Amazon you could not see the
+banks, for the river is about one hundred and fifty miles wide at its
+mouth. The quantity of water it carries into the ocean is so enormous
+that it keeps its yellow color several hundred miles out at sea before
+the mud settles and the fresh water is thoroughly mixed with and
+absorbed by the brine of the ocean.”</p>
+
+<p>The next evening they saw the first indication of land. At first there
+were only long lines of white far in the distance where breakers were
+dashing over the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_26">{26}</a></span> low sandbars that checked their onward sweep. Later,
+they distinguished small, dark tufts, like feather dusters, outlined
+against the clear sky; these were coconut palms growing on the outlying
+islands. And before long the first land&mdash;dim strips of dark color
+seemingly suspended between the water and the sky, met their gaze.</p>
+
+<p>At night they entered the river proper. It was too dark to see anything,
+but David was so excited he could hardly sleep. Here he was, on the
+mighty Amazon, and it was not a dream either. What tales the silent
+water could tell could it but talk! What had the stream witnessed, on
+its journey through many thousands of miles of wilderness and jungle
+inhabited by savage beasts and equally savage peoples! And what secrets
+were locked up in that outwardly calm, yellow flood! The very air seemed
+saturated with mystery, romance and adventure. And here he was, alone
+and foot-free and eager to absorb his full share of everything this
+wonderful country offered.</p>
+
+<p>With daylight came disappointment. Instead of the wide expanse of water
+David had expected to see there was only a narrow channel through which
+the ship proceeded with caution. Both banks were covered with heavy,
+deep green vegetation, extending to the edge of the river. Creepers and
+ropelike lianas dangled from the branches and trailed in the water;
+climbing ferns and palms and a host of other plants clinging to the
+boughs and trunks united them into a solid wall of living green.</p>
+
+<p>Here and there a bright-colored flower glowed bril<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_27">{27}</a></span>liantly against the
+darker background and from the interior of the tangled, matted screen
+came subdued cries and screams. A flock of green parrots, flying low,
+passed overhead and then dived into the jungle on the other side and
+disappeared. There were fully a hundred birds in the party, but they
+flew two by two, with a peculiar fanning motion of the wings, like a
+duck’s.</p>
+
+<p>One of the branches on the side nearest the steamer stirred and someone
+shouted “monkeys.” David looked but saw only the swaying vegetation
+which moved as if agitated by a gust of wind.</p>
+
+<p>“I am sorry I missed them. I have never seen a wild monkey,” he said.</p>
+
+<p>“You will see plenty of them before long; and not only see but get real
+well acquainted with them,” Rogers volunteered.</p>
+
+<p>“You mean they are tame and come to the camps in the forests?”</p>
+
+<p>“Not exactly. You will have to live on them.”</p>
+
+<p>“What? Eat monkeys?” David asked in dismay.</p>
+
+<p>“Certainly. Everyone does in the bush. The Indians eat
+everything&mdash;monkeys, crocodiles, snakes and lizards. And if you want to
+live out in the wilderness you shall have to do as they do because there
+is no other way out of it. You will be thankful for whatever you find
+whether you like it or not.”</p>
+
+<p>“But the rivers must be full of fish,” David reminded him.</p>
+
+<p>“They are. Catching them is another proposition though. Besides, there
+is nothing in the world a white<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_28">{28}</a></span> man becomes so tired of as fish if he
+eats it day after day.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why worry?” David said it bravely, but a sigh escaped him. “If that is
+the custom here I guess I can get used to it.”</p>
+
+<p>The prospect of having to eat monkeys, as he knew them in the zoo at
+home, was not a pleasant one and the thoughts that were in his mind were
+reflected in the expression on his face. Rogers gave him a sharp glance,
+then walked away; he was finding his task a difficult one.</p>
+
+<p>The first stop was at Pará, and as the steamer carried a quantity of
+freight for that port and was to remain two days there was ample time
+for sightseeing ashore.</p>
+
+<p>The feel of solid ground under his feet was very welcome to David; and
+to enter the low-lying city beside the river was like stepping into
+fairyland.</p>
+
+<p>How different everything was from the life and living conditions of a
+temperate clime. Instead of the tall buildings and wide streets bustling
+with humanity there were blocks of low, white structures, narrow,
+crooked streets lined with drooping, swaying palms; and the people, of
+every shade from white to black, seemed to take things in a leisurely
+manner.</p>
+
+<p>It was warm&mdash;disagreeably warm at midday and during the early afternoon
+hours&mdash;but David was too interested in his surroundings to take much
+note of the heat. He tramped the streets and tried to see everything
+that unfolded itself before his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>The flaming <i>Jacaranda</i> trees that thrust themselves<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_29">{29}</a></span> upon one’s notice
+through the sheer boldness of their beauty fascinated him. Not extremely
+tall but with wide-spreading branches they looked like enormous bouquets
+so thickly were they covered with purplish flowers with only an
+occasional tuft of fern-like leaves to enhance their beauty.</p>
+
+<p>There were palms without number. Some grew tall and stately with crowns
+of gracefully drooping leaves; others had bent, spiny stems; and still
+others had shocks of ragged, split leaves perched on the top of thick,
+ringed trunks.</p>
+
+<p>A curio store just off the main thoroughfare attracted David’s attention
+and after gazing at the display in the windows for some time he decided
+to investigate the mysteries inside so forcefully suggested by the
+objects in front. He had always intended to make a collection of
+butterflies and other things and here was the opportunity to start it.
+But the door was locked. He tried the door of the next shop; it, too,
+was bolted. A passing policeman, observing his actions, volunteered the
+information that everything would be closed until later in the afternoon
+because the people were taking a nap during the hottest part of the day.
+And as David strolled down the street he rejoiced that the curio store
+had been closed, for what could he have done with the butterflies if he
+had purchased them? They were too fragile to carry around for months in
+the wilderness; and he would no doubt have the opportunity personally to
+collect all he wanted at the ranch.</p>
+
+<p>The afternoon being spent, the wanderer went back to the waterfront and
+boarded the steamer, and re<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_30">{30}</a></span>mained aboard for the night. There followed
+another day of sight-seeing, confined principally to the numerous little
+parks, and then the voyage was resumed up the river.</p>
+
+<p>David remained on deck as the steamer headed up the sluggish, muddy
+stream and enjoyed the changing vistas of broad expanses of water and
+the dark green of the vegetation that contrasted sharply with it. Then
+he went to his cabin to wash up for dinner. And there was Rogers
+examining a number of souvenirs he had purchased in Pará; a medly array
+of feather flowers, Indian head-dresses and the skins of birds and
+snakes was spread on the floor and chairs.</p>
+
+<p>“You still here?” David asked in surprise. He had not seen him since
+saying good-bye the morning they reached the port, as Rogers had stated
+that he was going no further than Pará.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, I am going to stick around a while longer&mdash;until we get to Manaos,
+to be exact,” Rogers replied in a matter-of-fact voice.</p>
+
+<p>“Great! But you changed your mind rather suddenly, didn’t you? I hardly
+expected to see you again.”</p>
+
+<p>“I did intend to go only to Pará, but I found that my affairs had not
+been settled. So I have to keep on going. But I do not mind. The trip up
+the river is interesting.”</p>
+
+<p>“Say, Rogers,” David asked suddenly. “What is your business anyway? I
+don’t like to be inquisitive; that is why I didn’t ask before now. But I
+am filled with curiosity.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_31">{31}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“It is of a personal nature; sorry I cannot go into greater detail but
+that would be violating a confidence,” and Rogers looked embarrassed.</p>
+
+<p>“I see,” David said simply, but he could not get the matter off his
+mind, try as he would. And to make things worse he could see no reason
+why Rogers’ affairs should cause him any concern.</p>
+
+<p>To spend six days on the mighty Amazon is an event in any man’s life; to
+David it was the greatest he had experienced. Each morning when the
+noise of the deck scrubbers awakened him he jumped from his berth and
+after dressing hastily went on deck to see the sun rise. On no two
+mornings was the awe-inspiring spectacle that unfolded itself before his
+eyes the same in all respects. Sometimes the flaming, angry ball of fire
+shot up as if from some place of concealment beyond the black wall of
+forest; once it rose out of the yellow flood, at the foot of a wide path
+of gold and pink light that danced and sparkled on the wave-crests; and
+again, there were but fleeting glimpses of shafts of bright light that
+darted through rifts in the cloud-banks whose edges were aglow with
+burnished silver.</p>
+
+<p>When the forested banks were visible they always loomed up like dark,
+impenetrable barriers; but as the light grew stronger the blurred
+outlines of trees, palms and a thousand points of vegetation gradually
+became clearer and finally revealed their identity.</p>
+
+<p>The forest enchanted the beholder. It exhaled an air of mystery, the
+promise of adventure; and at the same time it hurled a bold defiance.
+“Come, ferret<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_32">{32}</a></span> out my secrets, search for my treasures,” it seemed to
+say, “and I will overwhelm you, engulf you and you will be no more. But
+come, come, if you dare.”</p>
+
+<p>David read both the invitation and the challenge; and with more
+determination than ever, he accepted them.</p>
+
+<p>Nothing was seen of the wild life with which the jungle must have been
+teeming. Perhaps it was because the walls of vegetation were so dense
+they hid the creatures that lurked within their green depths. Then, too,
+the river was frequently so wide that the banks could scarcely be
+distinguished, showing only as low, dark lines in the hazy distance.</p>
+
+<p>Occasionally a flock of ducks passed overhead. There were gulls also,
+and other waterfowls. But far more numerous were the parrots and great
+macaws, in large, boisterous companies that winged their way heavily
+across the wide expanse of water. From a distance the parrots resembled
+the ducks but there was always the easily noticeable difference, that no
+matter how large their number, they always flew two by two.</p>
+
+<p>“Where are all the crocodiles?” David asked the captain of the ship one
+day as the latter stopped beside him at the railing. “And the big water
+snakes and other things you hear about the Amazon?”</p>
+
+<p>The captain looked at him in an amused manner.</p>
+
+<p>“They are here, that is the crocodiles are, but the water is too high to
+see them,” he said. “During the dry season the sand bars and islands are
+covered with them. There are plenty of anacondas, too, but they<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_33">{33}</a></span> stay
+around the banks. So you are going into the interior, I hear!”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, to a ranch that’s just starting up,” David replied.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, you’ll see all the snakes and other vermin you want, and more
+too.”</p>
+
+<p>“Fine! I have never been here before and I want to see everything there
+is to be seen.”</p>
+
+<p>“You had better look fast then, because you won’t stay long. They all go
+back pretty quick.”</p>
+
+<p>“Not I. I am going into the business for good.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s what they all say. And I carry them back home on the next boat.”</p>
+
+<p>“You will not carry me back on the next boat, nor on the trip after that
+either.” David was losing patience.</p>
+
+<p>“If you knew what’s in store for you you wouldn’t even go ashore when we
+get to Manaos; you would come right back home with me on this trip. And
+that is what I would advise you to do.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thank you,” and David walked away.</p>
+
+<p>They made short stops at the more important towns along the river, to
+deliver mail and unload freight.</p>
+
+<p>The waterfront in these places always teemed with dark-skinned natives.
+Long lines of men, stripped to the waist, were carrying bags of produce
+to barges moored to the banks, waiting for steamers going downstream.
+Groups of other men lounged on the docks or came to the ship in
+row-boats, offering fruit for sale.</p>
+
+<p>David was greatly surprised to see the barges of Brazil nuts that were
+being transferred to a steamer<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_34">{34}</a></span> outward bound. The nuts&mdash;he had no idea
+there were so many in the world, were handled just like coal. They were
+scooped out of the barges in steam shovels and dumped into the hold of
+the boat, where they disappeared in the seemingly insatiable, black
+void. Many were spilled overboard and others rained on the deck, but no
+one cared.</p>
+
+<p>There were cargoes of rubber, too, large, oblong balls, or thick bricks
+that must have weighed several hundreds of pounds. But David was to see
+enough of them later and under less attractive circumstances.</p>
+
+<p>On the sixth day they reached the junction of the Rivers Negro and
+Solimoes.</p>
+
+<p>“This is the end of the Amazon,” Rogers explained as they gazed at the
+sweep of the mighty streams.</p>
+
+<p>“The end?” David asked in surprise. “I always thought of the Amazon as a
+river three or four thousand miles long.”</p>
+
+<p>“The Amazon proper is only about one thousand miles long. But the
+Solimoes continues on a few thousand more and is in reality the Upper
+Amazon. Here is a map that shows it.”</p>
+
+<p>He drew a folder out of his pocket and they spread it on the foot of a
+deck chair.</p>
+
+<p>“See?” Rogers said, “Manaos is ten miles up the Rio Negro which comes
+from the north-west. The Solimoes comes from the west and has its source
+near Quito, Peru. It is navigable, too, almost the whole of its length
+in boats of some kind. As I said, though, you have seen all of the real
+Amazon. Now, are you satisfied?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_35">{35}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“What do you mean?”</p>
+
+<p>“Have you seen enough?”</p>
+
+<p>“Of the river and country? I should say not. I haven’t even started.
+What I have seen has only aroused my curiosity and a stronger desire for
+more. I can hardly wait to get into the interior. Think of what is
+behind those walls of forest!”</p>
+
+<p>“Mosquitoes, snakes and cannibals.”</p>
+
+<p>“Good! They are just what I want to see.”</p>
+
+<p>Rogers sighed but David did not notice it. He folded the map and put it
+back into his pocket.</p>
+
+<p>In another hour they had reached Manaos.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_36">{36}</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV</a><br><br>
+ROGERS’ WORK</h2>
+
+<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Manaos</span> is a surprisingly large city for one that is situated in such an
+out of the way place, but there is nothing bewildering or startling
+about it. In some respects it is very much like the larger but more
+backward towns of our own country but in most it is very different.</p>
+
+<p>The first thing to thrust itself upon the visitor’s notice is the
+intense heat; all the sun’s rays seem to converge in the depression in
+which Manaos nestles. An inspection of the place, however, reveals
+compensating virtues in the form of green, shady parks, cooling
+fountains, and comfortable hotels for the traveller.</p>
+
+<p>David was not particularly interested in the city although he took note
+of some of the more unusual features; he had seen Pará which had
+impressed him as being more attractive. He felt that enough time had
+been spent already in travel and in sight-seeing and he was eager to
+start work. So he lost no time in going to the hotel where someone from
+the ranch was to meet him, in accordance with the arrangements that he
+supposed had been made by cable before he left home.</p>
+
+<p>No doubt Mr. Rice had come to welcome him<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_37">{37}</a></span> personally, he thought; and
+he was more than disappointed to learn that such was not the case.</p>
+
+<p>“Senhor Rice has not been here in weeks,” the proprietor of the hotel
+told him in answer to his questioning.</p>
+
+<p>“But he was either to be here or to send someone,” David protested. “I
+am going to his ranch and they were to come for me.”</p>
+
+<p>“Here is the list of patrons. You may read it. Do you recognize any of
+the names?”</p>
+
+<p>David scanned the page of the register and admitted that the names were
+all unfamiliar to him.</p>
+
+<p>“I would recognize only Mr. Rice’s name,” he added, “and that is not
+there.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, the Senhor is not here.”</p>
+
+<p>“Didn’t someone else say he expected me? There must be somebody here who
+is hunting for me right this minute.”</p>
+
+<p>The Brazilian shrugged his shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, I understand now,” David explained, with a smile. “Whoever is
+coming hasn’t arrived. He might have been delayed accidentally or
+perhaps he thought the steamer was not due today. I’ll wait and
+everything will be all right. When I am asked for, remember that I am
+here. And, if a message or letter comes, give it to me without delay.”</p>
+
+<p>The whole explanation seemed so simple to David. It must be exactly as
+he had said. It was not in the least remarkable that one should miss
+connections in a land lacking the elaborate facilities for travel his
+own country boasted. He wondered how the matter could<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_38">{38}</a></span> have caused him
+concern and why he had not thought of the solution before.</p>
+
+<p>Half an hour later he left his room and in passing through the corridor
+could not resist the impulse to step into the office to make another
+inquiry. But the answer was the same. There was nothing new, no message;
+nor had anyone arrived from the ranch.</p>
+
+<p>“Tomorrow, probably,” he thought, “and if not then, the day after that
+without fail. I must learn to be patient although they should apologize
+for keeping me waiting.”</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, he would see what there was of interest in the city,
+and by asking questions learn as much as possible about the country of
+the hinterland.</p>
+
+<p>He had not gone two blocks before he met Rogers. The latter was stopping
+aboard the ship; he felt sure that he could wind up his affairs during
+the week the vessel lay in port and had engaged passage for the return
+journey.</p>
+
+<p>“Hello!” he greeted David cheerfully. “You still here? I thought you
+might be on your way to the ranch by this time.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, we missed connections some way. I can’t understand why, but they
+have not come for me yet. But I expect them any minute.”</p>
+
+<p>“Still got the fever, eh? Still want to go as badly as ever?”</p>
+
+<p>“I certainly have got the fever, and the temperature is going up.”</p>
+
+<p>“Say, you know what I said to you before&mdash;I think you are one foolish
+person.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_39">{39}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“Look here, Rogers,” David retorted hotly. “Why are you so concerned
+over my affairs? I didn’t insist on knowing what brought you here but
+you keep harping about my business all of the time. Now forget it.”</p>
+
+<p>“If that is the way you feel, I shall not mention it again,” Rogers
+stammered, looking offended. “But&mdash;but just because I do not mention it
+will not make me feel differently about it. I am sorry you are so set on
+doing something you will surely regret.”</p>
+
+<p>“Good-bye.” David wanted to fight but he dared not, remembering past
+experiences and their consequences, so he quickly continued on his way.</p>
+
+<p>Three days passed and still David remained unsought by anyone from the
+ranch. The fact began to worry him.</p>
+
+<p>He had spent the time alternately waiting in the hotel and tramping the
+streets. The very sight of the Teatro Nacional, at first so imposing on
+its built-up pedestal that covers an entire city block; the plazas with
+their tropical trees, shrubs and dazzling flowers; the hot, winding
+streets; and the parrots shrieking and squawking from their perches in
+the doorways of the squat, thick-walled buildings; all began to pall on
+him. He had not come all that distance to see cities; if that had been
+his desire he might have remained at home. What he longed for was the
+great outdoors and the myriad, varied possibilities it brought with it.</p>
+
+<p>Why did not they come or at least communicate with him? he asked himself
+again and again. He could bear the suspense no longer. He would
+communicate with them.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_40">{40}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The telephone occurred to him first of all as the most rapid means but,
+of course, there was no service to Las Palmas. Nor was it possible to
+send a telegram. A letter was the only thing he could think of; but when
+they called for the letter they would also come for him. So there was in
+reality no way of communicating with them after all.</p>
+
+<p>In desperation, he went to the owner of the hotel and told him what was
+on his mind.</p>
+
+<p>“If they knew you were coming and wanted you at Las Palmas, they would
+have been here,” the latter said. “What do you expect to do there,
+anyway? My advice would be to go back home, if you asked me. You will be
+better off there.”</p>
+
+<p>“Good Heavens! This is beginning to look like a conspiracy of some
+kind,” David started, but checked himself. Again the visions of past
+experiences loomed up before him. He would endure almost anything rather
+than take a single chance of spoiling this new and greatest of all
+ventures. So he turned and walked away.</p>
+
+<p>“I know what I’ll do,” he decided. “I’ll see the American Consul. He
+will fix me up.”</p>
+
+<p>Just as he turned to enter the doorway beneath the shield that served as
+the guiding sign to the consul’s office he almost collided with Rogers
+coming out.</p>
+
+<p>They exchanged greetings and each went his way.</p>
+
+<p>After waiting a few minutes in the anteroom he was admitted to the
+official’s presence and briefly explained his mission. The consul
+listened impatiently for a minute and then interrupted the recital.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_41">{41}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“You will never get on there,” he said. “It is no place for an American
+without practical experience. Las Palmas is a particularly bad place and
+Rice is a terrible person&mdash;they call him the viper.”</p>
+
+<p>David was boiling within, but said nothing, so the official continued:</p>
+
+<p>“The ranch is a new one, just being opened up. No one but the natives
+and Indians can do the clean-up work that is in progress now. You would
+die in a little while if you tried it. I will fix up your passport and
+you start back on the next boat.”</p>
+
+<p>“I see,” said David simply, without betraying his feeling. “Thank you
+for your offer but I cannot accept it just now for I am certainly not
+going back home. I came to stay.”</p>
+
+<p>“Stay and you will be sorry.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s up to me. And if Mr. Rogers comes to see you again, give him a
+passport. I intend to see to it that he leaves the country on the next
+boat.”</p>
+
+<p>The air in the street lacked the cooling quality necessary to restore
+David’s ruffled temper. Heat-waves rose from the flag-stones and smote
+him in the face and the slight eddies that whirled around the corners
+could have come out of the mouth of a furnace&mdash;they were so stifling.</p>
+
+<p>The truth of the whole matter dawned upon David at last. Rogers was the
+cause of all the discouragements he had met. The business upon which he
+had come was to try to persuade him to return home. He had been sent for
+that purpose. He chuckled grimly as he thought how Rogers would have to
+report failure<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_42">{42}</a></span> of his mission. They would see that he was not a
+quitter. He did not blame his father for guarding his welfare but he
+would prove to the world that he could look after his own interest in
+any place and under any circumstances. The newly acquired knowledge made
+him more determined than ever. So, as he returned to his lodgings a plan
+formed itself in his mind; he would put it into effect without delay.
+There was but one other matter that had to be attended to first. He must
+see that Rogers actually sailed on the departing steamer; with him out
+of the way, the rest would be easy.</p>
+
+<p>A full hour before the ship was due to leave, David went aboard. And
+about the first person he met on deck was Rogers.</p>
+
+<p>“I came to see you off,” he said in a friendly manner.</p>
+
+<p>Rogers looked at him with a puzzled expression on his face.</p>
+
+<p>“You <i>are</i> going, aren’t you?”</p>
+
+<p>“Why, yes, I guess so.”</p>
+
+<p>“Seems to me you ought to know for sure. If you don’t, I will tell you.
+You <i>are</i>. I am on to your game. The best thing for you to do is not to
+waste any more time. Tell them back home I am all right; and that you
+did your best to discourage me but&mdash;you know the result. I am sending
+letters on this same boat. Now, good-bye, and have a nice trip. I am
+going to wait at the dock until you are out of sight.”</p>
+
+<p>For a moment Rogers did not know what to say. Then he extended his hand.</p>
+
+<p>“Good-bye,” he said simply.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_43">{43}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“No hard feelings so far as I am concerned. You went to a lot of trouble
+for nothing.”</p>
+
+<p>“I am sorry, that is all.” Rogers appeared dejected. “And I can only
+hope that you will reconsider the matter before it is too late. Remember
+how they feel about it back home.”</p>
+
+<p>David went ashore and waited. It was with a feeling of relief that he
+saw the ship move out into the river at last, with Rogers at the rail
+waving a last farewell. When the vessel finally disappeared from view he
+turned his steps toward that section of the riverbank where a number of
+launches were tied up, with their crews either aboard or on the bank.</p>
+
+<p>“Where can I hire a boat?” he asked one of the men. “I want to go a
+short distance up the river.”</p>
+
+<p>“There is the <i>capitain</i>,” the sailor replied, pointing to a man dressed
+exactly like the others but wearing an officer’s cap on his head.</p>
+
+<p>David repeated the question to the person indicated.</p>
+
+<p>“Where to?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p>“The ranch Las Palmas.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why don’t you go on one of the Las Palmas launches?” the captain asked
+abruptly.</p>
+
+<p>“I would if I knew where to find one. But I have been waiting a number
+of days and none of their boats has put in here,” David explained.</p>
+
+<p>“I will show you one. See that gray launch right over there, the
+<i>Aguila</i>? That belongs to the ranch.”</p>
+
+<p>David could have shouted for joy. They had come for him at last. He
+hurried to the <i>Aguila</i>. Perhaps Mr. Rice had come in person to greet
+him. This was<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_44">{44}</a></span> luck indeed! Probably he had hurried to the hotel with
+apologies for the delay; but no need for that inasmuch as he had finally
+come and the long wait was over. There was the possibility, however,
+that he was still aboard the launch.</p>
+
+<p>By the time David reached the boat it was almost impossible to suppress
+his eagerness and excitement.</p>
+
+<p>“The <i>Aguila</i> comes from Las Palmas,” he began, “so they tell me. Is Mr.
+Rice on board now?”</p>
+
+<p>A sailor who was washing several articles of clothing by beating them on
+the rocks near the water’s edge looked up.</p>
+
+<p>“No,” he said. “Senhor Rice is not here. He never travels on the
+Aguila&mdash;it is not good enough for him.”</p>
+
+<p>“Doesn’t he ever visit Manaos?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, when there is some good reason for it but he always uses the
+<i>Indio</i> which is larger and much finer; you should see it. The <i>Aguila</i>
+is for the peons and the cook when they come to buy provisions.”</p>
+
+<p>“Where is the <i>Indio</i> now?” David was becoming somewhat uneasy.</p>
+
+<p>“At Las Palmas.”</p>
+
+<p>“Didn’t Senhor Rice say anything about coming to Manaos in the near
+future?”</p>
+
+<p>“He never talks to the peons, so I don’t know.”</p>
+
+<p>“You see,” David explained, “I am on my way to the ranch and they were
+to send for me.”</p>
+
+<p>“<i>Si, Senhor.</i>” The man now stopped washing and listened respectfully.</p>
+
+<p>“Did you hear anything about that?”</p>
+
+<p>“<i>No, Senhor.</i>”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_45">{45}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“When do you start back?”</p>
+
+<p>“This afternoon.”</p>
+
+<p>“Today?” in surprise. “When did you arrive?”</p>
+
+<p>“Two days ago.”</p>
+
+<p>“There must be a misunderstanding somewhere. I have been waiting a good
+many days and this is the first I heard of your coming, and that was by
+accident. Who is in charge of the boat?”</p>
+
+<p>“The captain. He went with the others to get some rice and other things.
+He will be back soon.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll wait, then.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, Senhor,” and the man resumed his washing.</p>
+
+<p>Here was a new predicament he had not counted on. For a while he racked
+his brain in an effort to disentangle the puzzle, but it was of no
+avail. He was compelled to give it up. There was certainly a mix-up
+somewhere and that was all there was to it. By and by it would be all
+cleared up and he would then laugh at his present anxiety and vexation.</p>
+
+<p>The captain arrived before very long, followed by three men carrying
+heavy bags on their shoulders. He was a thick-set, burly fellow and one
+could tell at a glance that he was accustomed to giving orders which
+others dared not hesitate long in obeying. A stubby beard covered the
+greater part of his face effectually, concealing his features&mdash;all but
+the eyes&mdash;small, black and penetrating. A flat cap with a long peak was
+perched on the top of his head, the black hair, touched with gray,
+appearing under the rim in a dense, unkempt ring.</p>
+
+<p>That head-dress, David was to learn later, was typi<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_46">{46}</a></span>cal of the masters
+of the smaller river craft and was their only badge of position and
+authority for, otherwise, they were dressed exactly like their ragged
+crews.</p>
+
+<p>David did not like the looks of the swarthy newcomer. But that did not
+matter. He wanted to get to Las Palmas and the man possessed the means
+of getting him there.</p>
+
+<p>“My name is David Jones and I am from New York,” he said by way of
+greeting. “I have been waiting a long time for you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Me? Why have you been waiting for me? What do you want?” the captain
+asked in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>“I want to get to the ranch. Didn’t Mr. Rice instruct you to bring me
+out?”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t know anything about it. Nobody said a word to me.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well,” David tried to conceal his impatience with a laugh, “I am
+expected at the ranch and I want to get there so soon as possible. I can
+have my baggage here in fifteen minutes.”</p>
+
+<p>The captain was looking at him sharply, even suspiciously.</p>
+
+<p>“Do you think this is a passenger boat?” he asked. “We don’t carry
+strangers without a written order from the boss.”</p>
+
+<p>“But this is different,” David protested. “I am not a stranger. They are
+looking for me. Mr. Rice must have misunderstood the date or he would
+have been here personally.”</p>
+
+<p>“That is not my fault,” said the captain gruffly.</p>
+
+<p>“But I can go with you, can’t I?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_47">{47}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“No! If you knew the boss you would not ask me to take you. He is awful
+when anyone does a thing he don’t like. He killed a man for that very
+thing last week.”</p>
+
+<p>“I am not afraid he’ll kill me.”</p>
+
+<p>“Neither am I. I don’t care what happens to you but I do care what
+happens to me.”</p>
+
+<p>“How soon is the <i>Aguila</i> coming back to Manaos?” said David in despair.</p>
+
+<p>“Not for six months. Next week she starts on a long trip to carry
+supplies to the rubber camps upriver.”</p>
+
+<p>“And the <i>Indio</i>?”</p>
+
+<p>“The <i>Indio</i> has a broken propeller. They sent for a new one but it
+generally takes a year to get anything from abroad.”</p>
+
+<p>“Say,” David was wiping his face in desperation, “I have to get to Las
+Palmas and that is all there is to it.”</p>
+
+<p>“I have nothing against it. Get there any way you like&mdash;but not on the
+<i>Aguila</i>.”</p>
+
+<p>A sudden idea came to him. Perhaps the fellow wanted money.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll pay you well. How much do you want?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p>The Brazilian straightened up; his eyes blazed.</p>
+
+<p>“Are you trying to bribe me?” he bellowed, “and right in front of my
+men? If you are, you’re insulting me. I am paid for my work and I want
+none of your money. A fine person, you are, to try to buy me to disobey
+my chief’s orders.”</p>
+
+<p>“I did nothing of the kind,” David returned hotly.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_48">{48}</a></span> “I offered you money
+to pay my passage because I could hardly ask a stranger to carry me for
+nothing.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I accept your explanation, but you will not go, just the same.
+That is settled&mdash;understand? I am very busy.” This was said in such a
+manner that David could not fail to grasp its significance.</p>
+
+<p>He was in a quandary. It was just one discouraging thing after another.
+Would matters ever become straightened out? He must go on that launch,
+for had not the burly captain told him there would not be another in
+months? He made one more desperate effort.</p>
+
+<p>“I am going on the <i>Aguila</i> whether you like it or not. And when I get
+to Las Palmas&mdash;” he began, but the captain stopped him.</p>
+
+<p>“Talk all you want to, but if I catch you aboard my boat I’ll throw you
+into the river,” he threatened.</p>
+
+<p>David looked at the man and knew he would keep his word. His mind worked
+fast; he thought of one other thing.</p>
+
+<p>“How soon do you start?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p>“In two hours.”</p>
+
+<p>“Will you take a letter for me?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, I will take a letter or as many as you want to send, but I will
+not take you, so don’t ask it again. Las Palmas is no place for a
+foreigner. It is terrible there&mdash;snakes, insects and fevers. And the
+boss treats us like dogs.”</p>
+
+<p>David ignored these remarks.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll go to the hotel to write the letter and will bring it to you in
+less than an hour.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_49">{49}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>He hastened back to his room to prepare the missive, and ignoring a
+first impulse to write all that had occurred during the last hour, he
+only stated that he had arrived and was eager to reach the ranch, but
+had no way of doing so.</p>
+
+<p>“When Mr. Rice gets this he’ll ask the captain questions and then he’ll
+be furious at the way I have been treated,” he thought. “And he’ll make
+him turn right around and come back for me. Then it will be my turn to
+show off, just as he did, and it will serve him right. He will soon find
+out who I am.”</p>
+
+<p>He hastened back to the river to deliver the letter, and as he thought
+the matter over he was glad he had omitted all reference to the captain,
+for the latter would doubtless read it and if he found anything too
+personal he would destroy it.</p>
+
+<p>Bad as it was, his position could have been a great deal worse. It was
+now a question of only a few days more of waiting. That was a certainty.</p>
+
+<p>But when David reached the river, breathless and perspiring, a new
+calamity awaited him. The <i>Aguila</i> was gone.</p>
+
+<p>He looked up and down the river; there was no sign of the boat. As he
+stood on the sand, too stunned to move, a sailor came up to him and
+spoke sympathetically.</p>
+
+<p>“Are you looking for the <i>Aguila</i>?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p>David subconsciously murmered assent.</p>
+
+<p>“She left over half an hour ago&mdash;right after you went away.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thanks.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_50">{50}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>David turned and slowly walked away. Try as he would to banish the
+feeling, there was no denying the fact that his experiences were
+beginning to dim the glamor of the life he had longed for; and that,
+too, in the face of the fact that so far he had accomplished absolutely
+nothing.</p>
+
+<p>He went to the post office and mailed the letter, hoping that somehow or
+other it would reach its destination.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_51">{51}</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V</a><br><br>
+A CHANGE OF FORTUNE</h2>
+
+<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">David</span> felt sure that he was the most luckless of all persons. So far,
+about everything had gone wrong. But there must be a turning-point
+somewhere. It was strange how a single misunderstanding could cause so
+much confusion.</p>
+
+<p>To make matters worse, regardless of what happened he had to accept the
+situation in apparent good humor, for he dared not assert himself too
+strongly. If there had been trouble, he would have been blamed, fairly
+or unfairly; that had been, almost invariably, his experience. Rather
+than take a single chance at spoiling this opportunity of a lifetime he
+would suffer in silence. But when the day came, as it surely would, when
+he had won his spurs, he would demonstrate that he could direct affairs
+as well as obey the orders of others.</p>
+
+<p>He had wanted to thrash Rogers; and the American Consul should at least
+have been told that his duties did not include meddling in other
+people’s business. As for the gruff captain of the <i>Aguila</i>&mdash;he should
+receive his dues when the time came; Mr. Rice would of course make him
+regret his rude conduct toward his guest.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_52">{52}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>When David reached his hotel his indignation was still at the boiling
+point. He must relieve his mind to someone and that person,
+unfortunately, was the owner of the hotel, for he happened to be the
+first one he chanced to meet.</p>
+
+<p>He told him the whole episode from beginning to end omitting none of the
+details. The man listened attentively until the recital was finished.
+Then he grunted, with an amused expression on his face.</p>
+
+<p>“Hum! I think he did right in not taking you. His orders were clear.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, but how about the letter? He said he was leaving in two hours and
+then went in half an hour.”</p>
+
+<p>“There may have been a reason for the change. If you knew his boss you
+would not blame him for being careful. Las Palmas is a notorious place.
+Everyone who can, avoids it. Those who are there are slaves&mdash;they are
+afraid to leave. Rice has the reputation of being the worst character in
+the country.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s very interesting,” David retorted. “I am very glad to hear it
+because I had the idea that all ranch life had become tame and
+commonplace. It will be great to see a real place&mdash;I can hardly wait to
+get there.”</p>
+
+<p>“And how are you going to get there?” the Brazilian asked with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>“That is the question just now; but, once there, I guess I can look out
+for myself.”</p>
+
+<p>“You can’t walk. It is many, many kilometers away. And the ranch boats,
+you say, will not be back in a long time.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_53">{53}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“Right! Still, I will find a way.”</p>
+
+<p>“Let me assure you that you will not. Now listen. You do not know how
+lucky you are to have escaped that outfit at Las Palmas&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“And next,” David interrupted, “you will be saying that there is a boat
+out of here for New York soon and I had better take it.”</p>
+
+<p>The hotel man looked sheepish.</p>
+
+<p>“I thought so,” David continued. “Save yourself any further trouble on
+my account. You take care of your business and I’ll tend mine. Please
+remember that.”</p>
+
+<p>Leaving the astonished Brazilian he went to his room and spent the
+greater part of an hour looking out of the window at the little plaza
+across the street and&mdash;thinking.</p>
+
+<p>“I can’t stay here any longer,” he finally concluded. “If I do I’ll get
+into a fight and I don’t want to fight. I’ll have to watch my step.”</p>
+
+<p>He packed his belongings, slowly and without paying a great deal of
+attention to just what he was doing. When he entered the office and
+asked for his statement the owner of the hotel appeared grieved.</p>
+
+<p>“Why are you leaving now?” he asked. “The boat does not leave until
+tomorrow.”</p>
+
+<p>David gritted his teeth but smiled.</p>
+
+<p>“I know it. But I am sailing out of here right now. How much is it? I am
+in a hurry.”</p>
+
+<p>A moment later he stepped out into the street and turned in the opposite
+direction to which he intended going, knowing that inquisitive eyes were
+following<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_54">{54}</a></span> him. A few blocks away he entered a side street and then came
+back toward the center of the city. He found one of the smaller inns and
+secured a room without arousing comment. Now he felt more free to pursue
+the plan he had formed for, unknown and among disinterested persons, he
+was more apt to get the help and information he needed. Or at least
+there would be no interference.</p>
+
+<p>He made no inquiries until late the following morning. Haste or a show
+of too great eagerness might arouse suspicion. And then, after artfully
+swinging the conversation he had started with the clerk to hunting and
+to big game, he casually inquired if it would be possible to hire a
+launch or boat of any kind for a trip up the river.</p>
+
+<p>Much to his delight he was told that such a thing could be arranged
+without trouble. There were numerous craft leaving the port daily that
+would drop him at any of the little colonies or camps situated along the
+river bank. The clerk even gave him the names of several persons with
+whom arrangements could be made for such an outing.</p>
+
+<p>To David the future seemed decidedly brighter and not long after he
+sought the first man on his list. After locating the man&mdash;the keeper of
+a small shop on the Rua Amazonas, and making a trivial purchase, he
+remarked that he might find it necessary to make a short journey on the
+river and was looking for a launch he could hire by the hour or day.</p>
+
+<p>The Brazilian was quick to grasp the opportunity.</p>
+
+<p>“My boat is at the disposal of the Senhor,” he said.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_55">{55}</a></span> “It is a good
+boat, very seaworthy, and does not pitch or roll badly; that is
+important, for the river is so enormous and storms come up suddenly.
+Where do you want to go?”</p>
+
+<p>“How much, by the day?” David countered.</p>
+
+<p>“Sixty milreis. I will go with you and run the launch myself.”</p>
+
+<p>David hesitated for a moment, as if pondering the proposition. Sixty
+milreis equalled twelve dollars.</p>
+
+<p>“Well,” he said thoughtfully, “your price is pretty high but if the boat
+is extra good I guess I will take it. I want to start tomorrow.”</p>
+
+<p>“How far do you want to go? I must know on account of the provisions.”</p>
+
+<p>“How far can you go in one day?”</p>
+
+<p>“Eighty or a hundred kilometers.”</p>
+
+<p>“We can make it in a day then.”</p>
+
+<p>“I shall be ready tomorrow, at any time you say,” the Brazilian said
+with finality.</p>
+
+<p>David could have shouted for joy. At last he had found the way.</p>
+
+<p>“I think an early start is best, don’t you?” he said as calmly as he
+could. “Six o’clock will be all right. So get everything ready today and
+then there will be no delays in the morning.”</p>
+
+<p>“Very good. Now, exactly where do you want to go?”</p>
+
+<p>Dark clouds again appeared on David’s horizon.</p>
+
+<p>“To one of the ranches along the river,” he replied quickly.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_56">{56}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“Yes, but just where? There are several and how will I know which one is
+the right one?”</p>
+
+<p>“It makes no difference, as I am paying by the day. If it takes a little
+over one day I will pay you for two whole days.”</p>
+
+<p>“That part of it is all right. But I am compelled to make out papers for
+the port officials when I carry passengers.”</p>
+
+<p>“Make them when you get back. Then you will know just what to say.” The
+situation was desperate for David.</p>
+
+<p>“I could do that,” he said thoughtfully, and again David felt elated.
+But after a moment the Brazilian continued, “There is only one place on
+the whole river to which I can take no one.”</p>
+
+<p>“What place is that?” with bated breath.</p>
+
+<p>“Las Palmas. That is the one ranch where a landing is forbidden.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why? That is the very spot I am bound for.”</p>
+
+<p>“I am sorry, but as I said, I cannot take you there. The owner is a
+foreigner. He is very terrible,” the Brazilian explained. “Nobody dares
+stop there without a written permit. It is all very mysterious and you
+should hear the tales that are told about the happenings at Las Palmas.”</p>
+
+<p>David tried to laugh; he felt more like crying.</p>
+
+<p>“It is different in my case,” he stammered. “I am expected there.
+Arrangements were made by cable for them to meet me here but there was
+some misunderstanding about the date. You will be taking no chances.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_57">{57}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“You do not know that outfit or you would not talk like that. I will not
+go.”</p>
+
+<p>“I will give you twice your regular price.”</p>
+
+<p>“Not for a million milreis! What good would they do me after I was full
+of bullets or poisoned arrows?” The shop-keeper was firm.</p>
+
+<p>“Are they really so bad as all that?” David asked incredulously.</p>
+
+<p>“Worse. Much worse. Once the government threatened to send soldiers
+there to investigate things and they sent back word to come on with the
+whole army but to bid it good-bye first for they would never see any
+part of it again. So you see what kind of people you are dealing with.”</p>
+
+<p>“All right,” David assumed an indifferent air. “If you don’t want my
+money there are others who do.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, Senhor. They are welcome to it.”</p>
+
+<p>Seeing that argument was useless, David took his departure and went to
+the second man on his list.</p>
+
+<p>The negotiations proceeded smoothly as before until it became necessary
+to disclose his destination. Then the Brazilian absolutely refused to go
+any further with the matter. Nor could he be swayed from his
+determination. He would go anywhere, even to Santa Isabel or the
+Cassiquiare that connects the Rio Negro with the Orinoco&mdash;trips of many
+weeks’ duration. But to Las Palmas? “Never!” most emphatically.</p>
+
+<p>David was more crestfallen than ever as he went in search of the third
+man. “There is something very mysterious about all this,” he thought.
+“If it is really such an awful place I had better keep away from it.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_58">{58}</a></span>
+But I have to see it first. I can leave if I don’t like it&mdash;that is, if
+I ever get there.”</p>
+
+<p>The interview with launch owner number three was shorter than the other
+two. This man was gruff, even discourteous, and wanted to know first of
+all where he wanted to go. And when David told him, he simply shrugged
+his shoulders, said “No,” and walked away.</p>
+
+<p>There were still others to be seen, but David decided that he had had
+enough for one day. He walked to the river and looked across the broad
+expanse of water, ruffled by the breeze, muddy, and gliding along
+majestically and silently as if fully aware of its awe-inspiring
+grandeur and power. Where did all that water come from? Where was it
+going? What secrets were locked up in the pitiless flood? What strange
+and unknown denizens lurked in its dark depths? And, what treasures were
+strewn upon the bottom of the bed over which this torrent rushed,
+heedlessly, relentlessly and everlastingly? Day and night, rain or
+shine&mdash;it was always the same, oblivious to all things save only the
+fulfilment of some mission on which it was always hurrying, hurrying,
+yet seemed never to accomplish. Men might come and go&mdash;all men might
+come and go&mdash;but what of it? Countless numbers had done that very thing
+along its unreckoned shores and not a few of them had been engulfed in
+the heartless waters. Thousands of years old, it was nevertheless young.
+When other ages had passed there would be still no traces of age or
+decay. Always the same&mdash;always the same.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_59">{59}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Such were the thoughts that surged through David’s mind as he gazed at
+the wide river, with the tiny waves laving his feet. They gave him an
+uncomfortable feeling such as he had not experienced before. He admired
+the stream for its enormity and respected its untold might; but he was
+not so sure that he liked it.</p>
+
+<p>Numbers of dugouts, <i>batalaos</i> and other craft were tied up along the
+bank. The idea came to him suddenly. If he could not hire a launch, why
+not take one of these? The trip would require more time and be less
+comfortable, but these things would be minor considerations.</p>
+
+<p>He approached a group of men near one of the batalaos and asked guarded
+questions as to the uses to which it was put. And then he swung the
+conversation to navigation in general on the river; to the country
+bordering the stream and to kindred topics, and so secured a good deal
+of information that was of value to him.</p>
+
+<p>He learned, for instance, that the craft was sea-worthy and was used on
+the longest journeys, frequently of months’ duration. That travelling in
+a batalao was a slow process unless the wind held out when sails were
+used to advantage; during the intervals of calm, oars or poles were used
+and even long-handled hooks to catch in the overhanging vegetation. Last
+of all, in answer to his question as to whether he could rent or buy
+such a craft, he was told that it was probably impossible to do either.
+All of them were owned by the proprietors of rubber concessions<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_60">{60}</a></span> or
+similar ventures, and were employed in their service exclusively,
+excepting only a few in the possession of professional rivermen; these
+latter were usually under contract to some <i>patron</i> and were engaged in
+some private pursuit such as fishing or freighting, which they could not
+desert.</p>
+
+<p>That was the last straw. As David walked away he began to believe that
+he should never reach Las Palmas.</p>
+
+<p>“Luck is certainly against me,” he murmured. “I’ll flip a coin to see
+what I’ll do. If it’s heads I will stay and keep on trying and if it’s
+tails I’ll&mdash;I’ll stay anyway. There must be a way of getting to that
+place; but I haven’t thought of it. The way will come to me&mdash;if I wait
+long enough.”</p>
+
+<p>And come it did, sooner than he expected. The very next day the
+opportunity presented itself in the guise of a very large batalao that
+swept down the river, manned by twenty swarthy oarsmen, and joined the
+collection of other boats at the landing.</p>
+
+<p>Somehow, that outfit was different from the others. The men did not look
+like the sailors along the waterfront. They spoke a different language
+and the Brazilians on shore did not greet them with the usual cries and
+banterings.</p>
+
+<p>David was interested in the new arrivals at once. “The way to find out
+things is to ask questions,” he thought. “I will find out about them.”</p>
+
+<p>He did not go to the man in charge of the batalao, but to one of the
+Brazilians to whom he had spoken on several other occasions.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_61">{61}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The boat had come from Venezuela, he learned, by way of the Cassiquiare
+that connects the Orinoco with the Rio Negro of the Amazon side. The men
+were Venezuelans and were traders who plied their calling along the
+great rivers, visiting all the settlements and even the solitary huts,
+buying native produce and selling provisions, dry goods, hardware and
+ammunition. They travelled in a leisurely manner and knew more about the
+rivers and their navigation than any other persons. With them, time was
+no object and only when their stock of goods was on the verge of
+exhaustion, or when they had accumulated a cargo of native products to
+sell, did they make for the nearest market and base of supply. That was
+why they had come to Manaos now&mdash;to dispose of vanilla beans, copaiba
+oil, gold nuggets and a number of other things and to replenish their
+supply of trading articles; for now they were going to the rubber camps
+of the Upper Amazon, this being the season of harvest of that product.
+To accomplish the double object of their visit would require at least a
+week, probably two.</p>
+
+<p>Much to his delight, David found that the pilot of the new boat had a
+fair knowledge of the Portuguese language&mdash;better than his own, in
+fact&mdash;and he struck up an acquaintance with him at once; but he did not
+hurry matters. There was plenty of time to cultivate friendship, and
+haste might cause him to be suspected of some ulterior motive.</p>
+
+<p>David called at the wharf daily and finally the captain accepted his
+invitation and returned the visits, even remaining to dinner at the inn.
+They attended<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_62">{62}</a></span> a performance at the Teatro Nacional later and then were
+firm friends.</p>
+
+<p>When the craft was about ready to depart, ten days later, David suddenly
+announced to Don Marco, for that was the captain’s name, that he would
+accompany him on the trip up the river. The latter was at first
+surprised and then amused; it seemed a joke; but when David insisted
+that he was in earnest he was pleased. Only one thing puzzled him; he
+was not equipped to carry passengers. The crew ate almost anything,
+slept anywhere and shifted for itself.</p>
+
+<p>David assured Don Marco that he should be contented with the same
+conditions. He expected no special consideration. He would even help
+with the work if desirable and would go as one of the party.</p>
+
+<p>“If you will do that,” the captain said at last, “I shall certainly be
+glad to have you. But how will you get back? We may not touch at Manaos
+again for a year, perhaps longer.”</p>
+
+<p>“That will be all right,” David replied. “You will stop at all the
+settlements and ranches&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes. We miss none of them.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then I can stop off at one of them when I have seen enough of the
+river. It may be in a few days or it may be longer, according to how
+fast we travel.”</p>
+
+<p>“Splendid. Get your things together and I will send a <i>mozo</i> for them
+this afternoon. You will need a hammock, a mosquito net, and a blanket.
+Take anything else you want to.”</p>
+
+<p>David hurried away and purchased the necessary<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_63">{63}</a></span> articles. In addition,
+he also bought chocolate and a few other things he thought would be
+necessary.</p>
+
+<p>For him the tide had turned. For once he was without misgivings. At last
+he was about to embark on the great river; it was the beginning of a
+long voyage, but he was eager to entrust himself to the whims of the
+mighty stream to be wafted wherever fate decreed&mdash;as a chip drifts and
+eddies in obedience to the unseen forces that control its destiny.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_64">{64}</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI</a><br><br>
+HARPOONING A RIVER MONSTER</h2>
+
+<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> man came, as promised, and carried the baggage from the inn to the
+boat. David had never lost sight of the fact that his belongings must be
+kept at the minimum; but he had added to them constantly&mdash;the hammock
+and net, for instance, and while all the articles were necessary ones,
+they increased the sum total until they now filled a large suit case and
+a bag.</p>
+
+<p>He followed the sailor as soon as he could settle his account and mail a
+few letters he had written the night before.</p>
+
+<p>It was still early in the morning. The batalao, which bore the name
+Elisa Ana in black letters on both sides, was scheduled to start before
+noon. But there were innumerable things to be attended to at the last
+minute. Don Marco made several trips into the city for things he had
+forgotten. Then the sailors went for personal supplies of matches and
+tobacco, which they might have purchased long before. And when, at three
+in the afternoon, everything was apparently in readiness, it was
+discovered that one of the men was missing. Two of the others were sent
+to find him but the trio did not show up until six o’clock. The captain
+was furious and berated them soundly, for<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_65">{65}</a></span> now it was too late to start
+that day, but they would get under way very early the following morning.</p>
+
+<p>They were all required to remain aboard that night. David swung his
+hammock in a corner indicated by Don Marco and rigged his net over it.
+The heat was stifling and, worse still, the hammock was most
+uncomfortable; it sagged low in the middle while the ends were up high,
+so that David had to lie on his back with his body bent like a bow. He
+tossed about for a while and finally decided that if he was to secure
+any sleep that night it would have to be elsewhere than in the hammock,
+so he clambered out and stretched himself on the bare boards of the
+little forward deck.</p>
+
+<p>Don Marco had observed this action and asked the reason for it.</p>
+
+<p>“I can’t sleep all doubled up in the hammock,” David explained. “The
+ends must be too close together, because my head and feet are way up in
+the air.”</p>
+
+<p>“You don’t know how to use it,” the captain said with a laugh. “I will
+show you. Look! You have to lie crosswise, not in a straight line with
+the hammock.”</p>
+
+<p>David tried it, lying diagonally with his head in the upper right-hand
+corner and his feet in the lower left-hand corner. The effect was
+magical. The hammock straightened out flat and he was very comfortable.</p>
+
+<p>The crew was active early the next morning&mdash;long before daylight broke
+over the river. The cook had kindled a fire on a box of sand in the bow
+while the others squatted around him watching, and conversing<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_66">{66}</a></span> in loud
+voices. When the water was bubbling he produced a container that looked
+like a very large pipe and filled it with leaves out of a bag.</p>
+
+<p>David, looking on, thought it was some kind of a pipe and tobacco, and
+was therefore surprised to see the man pour the steaming water into it.
+Then a short stem was inserted in the top opening and the cook handed it
+to the captain, who proceeded to draw up the liquor through the tube.
+When he had drunk all of it the cook refilled the bowl with water and
+brought it over to David.</p>
+
+<p>“What is it?” the latter asked. “Coffee?”</p>
+
+<p>“No! <i>Yerba maté</i>, or Brazilian tea. It is very good. Try it.”</p>
+
+<p>David did not like the idea of drinking through the tube that had
+already been used, but did not want to appear churlish, so took a sip.
+The concoction tasted bitter and astringent. He handed back the
+<i>bombilla</i>, for that was the name of the outfit. Don Marco and the men
+laughed.</p>
+
+<p>“He does not like our drink,” they said, “but he will get used to it. It
+is very delicious and a good medicine, too, but one has to learn to
+drink it.”</p>
+
+<p>The cook prepared coffee for David while the rest of the party continued
+to fill the bombilla with hot water and to pass it around from one to
+the other until each had had it at least half a dozen times.
+Occasionally it was recharged with fresh leaves, but all drank through
+the same tube.</p>
+
+<p>Later in the day Don Marco told David a good deal about yerba maté,
+which seemed to be a kind of na<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_67">{67}</a></span>tional beverage in Brazil and some of
+the neighboring countries, liked by rich and poor and almost universally
+taken from a common container such as he had seen that morning.</p>
+
+<p>The plant from which the leaves are taken is a species of South American
+holly growing abundantly in parts of Brazil, the Argentine and Paraguay,
+and remaining green the year round. They are gathered while small, when
+they are of a light green color, by cutting the branches from the plant
+and heaping them in piles to dry, after which they are shaken over a
+cloth to catch them as they fall from the withered stems.</p>
+
+<p>This tea had been the principal beverage of the Guaraní Indians when the
+country was first settled, and the invaders found it so excellent that
+they followed the custom of the aborigines in drinking it.</p>
+
+<p>David became so interested in yerba maté after learning these facts that
+he bought an outfit of the trader for his personal use and soon learned
+to drink the native tea in preference to coffee.</p>
+
+<p>The morning cup being over, the sailors brought in the rope hawser and
+took up the long-handled oars. Soon they had rowed the craft far out
+into the river, where the current was strongest, for they were now
+heading down the Rio Negro to its junction with the upper Amazon. A sail
+was hoisted and as there was a brisk wind they travelled at a rapid rate
+and reached the Amazon in less than two hours’ time.</p>
+
+<p>David now had ample time to examine the boat on which he had been
+accepted as a fellow voyager. It<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_68">{68}</a></span> was large, very large, in fact, for
+such a craft, being fifty feet long and twelve feet wide, but of very
+shallow draft. The bottom and sides were made of thick boards spiked to
+heavy, hand-hewn timbers. There was a small deck forward and another
+aft, the spaces below being used for storage, and over each was a small,
+rounded shelter of palm leaves.</p>
+
+<p>Along each side was a runway of boards like a narrow outrigger on which
+the men walked when poling the boat through shallow water.</p>
+
+<p>In the center was a board structure which made the batalao look like a
+long houseboat. This was the store and was filled with provisions and
+merchandise placed on shelves and in heaps on the floor. Almost
+everything of value to the dwellers in the interior was carried,
+including tinned foods, rice, beans, dried fish, oil, cloth, fish-hooks,
+knives and matches. Also tobacco, maté, and quantities of the staple
+food along the Amazon&mdash;farinha.</p>
+
+<p>The men next attracted David’s attention. Although he had seen most of
+them during the previous days he had not had the opportunity to study
+them closely. There were twenty; strong, sun-burnt, good-natured and
+ragged, but not very energetic. However, when Don Marco shouted an order
+it was quickly carried out. They either respected or feared him&mdash;it was
+impossible to tell which.</p>
+
+<p>As the boat, aided by the current, sped along, the sailors busied
+themselves tidying up things in general, and looking to the
+paraphernalia they would need<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_69">{69}</a></span> during the journey up-stream, which would
+begin shortly.</p>
+
+<p>The river was but slightly ruffled, the dark-colored water speeding
+along in a broad belt between high, rolling banks covered with dense
+forest.</p>
+
+<p>There were many other craft on the river, including a tramp freighter
+from some foreign port, launches, and a number of huge dugout canoes
+laden with bananas, nuts and other produce on its way to the city
+markets.</p>
+
+<p>The crews always called to one another if the outfits passed within
+hailing distance, each asking as many questions as possible as to
+destination, business and other things, before conversation was checked
+by the growing distance between them.</p>
+
+<p>As they neared the junction of the two streams the course of the boat
+was altered, for after entering the larger river they would journey
+up-stream; they would be compelled to hug closely the forested bank
+where the current was slack, if there were no wind.</p>
+
+<p>The vista of the two rivers, joining their waters to form a mightier
+stream visible below and appearing like a ruffled sea, was majestic.
+Also, it was terrific in its very grandeur. The dark water of the Rio
+Negro did not at once mingle with or become absorbed by the muddy flood
+of the Solimoes, but the two ran side by side a distance of many miles,
+the sharp distinguishing line clearly visible, before merging their
+identities.</p>
+
+<p>The scene was a wild and dismal one and David was impressed with his own
+littleness and that of those<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_70">{70}</a></span> about him. The contrast had not seemed so
+great from the high deck of the steamer when he came up the river; but
+in the comparatively frail shell of the batalao it was different. The
+craft seemed so small, so helpless on the broad, billowy expanse of
+hurrying water. A rowboat in mid-ocean would not seem more out of place.</p>
+
+<p>The sailors, apparently, were well versed in the ways of navigating the
+great rivers. They handled the sails and the rudder in a skilful manner
+and were soon tacking up-stream with a cross wind. Progress was now more
+slow, and when, an hour later, the wind failed so that the sails hung
+limply in the rigging, they were furled and made fast.</p>
+
+<p>The water near the bank was shallow&mdash;not over four feet deep and
+generally a good deal less. Long poles were brought out; they had
+cross-pieces padded with cloth on one end and looked like tall crutches.
+Each man took one and then the crew was divided into two sections, one
+of which went to each outrigger board along the sides. The sharp ends of
+the poles were thrust to the sandy bottom while the men braced their
+shoulders against the padded ends and then pushed, running back along
+the boards in an even line. This propelled the boat along fairly
+rapidly, but it was hard work.</p>
+
+<p>The sailors pushed the heavy craft forward with the poles throughout the
+remainder of the day, stopping only at noon for their ration of farinha
+and an hour’s rest.</p>
+
+<p>Towards late afternoon they reached a section of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_71">{71}</a></span> river flanked by
+wide marshes. Great masses of vegetation floated on the surface of the
+stream, such as wild lettuce, water hyacinths with inflated stems and
+blue flowers in spikes, lilies, and a host of other plants. The giant
+<i>Victoria Regia</i> margined the sheets of varied green in immense clumps
+and ribbons. Each leaf of this queen of water lilies was from six to
+eight feet in diameter, with upturned edges so that they resembled a
+cake-tin&mdash;but for their enormous size. Heavy veins and midribs supported
+the leaves with their sturdy framework; they were covered with long
+spines and thus served not only to support but also to protect the
+tender green webbing of the leaves that stretched between them, as if to
+discourage any familiarity with a member of a royal family. The flowers
+bobbing here and there among the massive foliage were not larger than a
+dinner plate and of a bluish color. Although both leaves and blossoms
+rested lightly on the surface of the water, they were securely anchored
+in place with thick, cable-like stems, and roots that penetrated the
+murky bottom a distance of many feet.</p>
+
+<p>Before long they reached a small creek that served as an outlet for some
+lagoon hidden beyond the forest walls. As they entered the heretofore
+quiet water it was churned into a frenzy by long, dark forms that darted
+out of the narrow opening and made for the river. They passed on each
+side of the batalao, cutting the surface with broad backs and leaving a
+perceptible swell in their wake.</p>
+
+<p>“What are they, sharks?” David asked in surprise.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_72">{72}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“No!” Don Marco said. “They are called pirarucú and are the great cod of
+the Amazon.”</p>
+
+<p>“But what monsters! I had no idea there were such large fish in any
+river. They looked longer than a man and must weigh a hundred pounds.”</p>
+
+<p>“Ha! They were twice as big as a man and would weigh five or six hundred
+pounds each. You shall see for yourself, if you stay long enough,” the
+captain said with a chuckle. “The river is full of them. Perhaps we may
+get one now, for this is a good place to fish. We will anchor the boat
+and try, anyway. The fish&mdash;many kinds&mdash;go up into the lagoon to feed, so
+they have to pass through this little channel both going and coming
+back. The pirarucú were just about to enter, but we frightened them, so
+they rushed back into the open water.”</p>
+
+<p>“Do you think they will come back?” David asked eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, if we keep still.”</p>
+
+<p>“I wish I could catch one; but nobody would believe me if I did&mdash;and
+told about it when I got back home.” Then brightening, “There is a
+camera in my suitcase. I could take a picture of it; that would fix
+them.”</p>
+
+<p>“You would have to catch it first,” Don Marco reminded him.</p>
+
+<p>“Let me have a hook and line. I will try it anyway.”</p>
+
+<p>“Very good! I will give you a hook and line, so you can fish for pacú
+with the rest of us. The pirarucú is so large you must use a harpoon to
+get it. I will keep one handy; perhaps we shall have good<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_73">{73}</a></span> luck. But in
+the meantime we will catch pacú, because they are a sure thing.”</p>
+
+<p>They had anchored where the channel was narrowest. The men unwound the
+lines and baited the hooks with plump grains of maize that had been
+soaked until soft. Scarcely had the ripples made by the plunges of the
+heavy sinkers died down when the fish began to bite.</p>
+
+<p>They struck with a powerful rush and dragged the line through the water
+with a burst of speed that was surprising. The men swung the poles
+upward to hook the fish securely and then hauled in the lines with their
+hands. Soon the silvery fish, nearly two feet long and very broad, were
+pulled aboard in numbers and thrown on the decks.</p>
+
+<p>David was so absorbed in watching the others that he almost forgot his
+own line. He felt a sudden tug and recovered just in time to prevent the
+loss of his pole. He followed the example of the others and soon landed
+the glistening pacú. Catching fish in this manner was not much of a
+sporting proposition, but it was not without its thrill of excitement.</p>
+
+<p>The sharp eyes of Don Marco caught a slight ripple in the water ten
+yards to their rear. At his word of warning the men stopped talking and
+quietly pulled in their lines.</p>
+
+<p>The pirarucú were returning to their feeding-grounds. Slowly they came,
+and cautiously, swimming just beneath the surface and looking like
+shadows. The school was a large one, for the water seemed alive with
+the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_74">{74}</a></span> giant fish. The captain had noiselessly come to David’s side and
+placed a short iron harpoon in his hand.</p>
+
+<p>“Throw it just as you would a stick and aim about a foot ahead of the
+fish,” he said.</p>
+
+<p>A few yards from the boat the foremost of the school stopped. David
+could clearly distinguish the trim outlines of the broad, dark backs,
+the large eyes, the gaping mouths and the gently waving fins. What
+monsters they were! And how he longed to possess one of them!</p>
+
+<p>Without warning the fish disappeared. They had become suspicious of the
+boat floating in their path and had simply melted into the depths below.</p>
+
+<p>Don Marco motioned for continued silence. He knew the ways of the
+creatures; before many minutes had passed they reappeared as suddenly as
+they had gone. But now they were on all sides of the batalao. Their
+fears had vanished and they moved as a unit into the passageway.</p>
+
+<p>David held the harpoon firmly in his right hand; at his feet lay the
+coil of thick cord that was fastened to it. A small keg was perched on
+the outrigger board; it would serve as a buoy to locate the fish when it
+had become exhausted.</p>
+
+<p>When one of the passing host was almost below him David let go the
+harpoon with all his strength. There was a splash, followed immediately
+by other splashing all around them as the entire school sounded.</p>
+
+<p>The line rushed overboard and cut the water with a hissing sound; a
+moment later the keg followed with a splash and began a wild rush into
+the river. It was a</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" id="ill_002">
+<a href="images/i_fp74.jpg">
+<img src="images/i_fp74.jpg" width="400" height="550" alt=""></a>
+<div class="caption"><p>A huge silvery form ... leaped out of the water, rolled
+and wallowed convulsively, and sank from sight.</p></div>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_75">{75}</a></span></p>
+
+<p class="nind">great sight to see the half-submerged buoy tearing a wide path through
+the muddy water, towed by the terrified monster deep below.</p>
+
+<p>“The <i>curare</i>!” Don Marco shouted; but the men had already untied the
+dugout canoe that trailed behind the batalao. The captain, David and two
+of the sailors jumped into it and they were off after the fleeing keg.</p>
+
+<p>“He can’t keep it up very long,” Don Marco panted as they dug deep their
+paddles and sped along. “A few kilometers at most and the drag will tire
+him out. He must be enormous&mdash;look how the keg is travelling. If the
+line should break he will be lost.”</p>
+
+<p>After running downstream several hundred yards the float came to a stop.</p>
+
+<p>“It snapped, or the harpoon did not hold. He’s gone,” were the first
+thoughts that came to the pursuers. But a few minutes later it moved
+again, this time heading upstream. That was fortunate for the men but
+unfortunate for the fish, for now it had to fight not only the current
+but pull the hampering weight against the stream also. And it was coming
+straight toward the canoe. Soon it was abreast, so the paddlers turned
+the craft and now had no difficulty in keeping up with it.</p>
+
+<p>Bit by bit the fish weakened and after half an hour the keg stood still.</p>
+
+<p>“Now we must get it quickly, before it can rest,” the captain called.
+When they reached the float he leaned over, caught the line with his
+hands and began<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_76">{76}</a></span> to pull it in, not hurriedly, but with an even, steady
+movement.</p>
+
+<p>This, however, gave new life to the fish. It dashed away, downstream,
+but the man retained possession of the cord and the canoe tore through
+the water at great speed, her nose ploughing so deeply that it was all
+but submerged.</p>
+
+<p>The men dropped their paddles and began to bail out the water that
+poured in in a steady stream; but soon it became apparent that their
+efforts could not stem the flood that was rising about their feet. If
+the fish did not slacken its pace soon they would have to release the
+line or the canoe would be swamped.</p>
+
+<p>But the great pirarucú was rapidly exhausting the last vestige of its
+strength in pulling the dugout. It was gradually coming nearer the
+surface; and then a huge, silvery form leaped out of the water, rolled
+and wallowed convulsively, and sank from sight.</p>
+
+<p>Don Marco rapidly took in the line and in a moment they had reached the
+spot where the last ripples were dying in a widening circle; soon the
+prize had been brought up from the muddy depths and wallowed helplessly
+beside the boat.</p>
+
+<p>What a beauty it was! And what a monster! A line was made fast just in
+back of the fins and they towed it back to the batalao, where it was
+hoisted aboard.</p>
+
+<p>As the great fish lay on the deck, David surveyed it with a triumphant
+gleam in his eyes. It was fully eight feet long and the captain said it
+would weigh more than four hundred pounds. The glistening body<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_77">{77}</a></span> was a
+foot and a half broad across the back and two feet wide along the
+greater part of its length. Silver scales the size of a dollar covered
+it and those on the lower half were margined with scarlet. The mouth was
+very large and wide open; the fish was dead.</p>
+
+<p>After examining it for some time David’s feeling of exultation gave way
+to pity for the beautiful creature. It was of such great size, so
+majestic, and seemed like a fitting denizen of the Amazon,
+representative of the mystery and the wonder of the mighty river. It
+seemed so out of place on the deck of the boat.</p>
+
+<p>“That is a beauty,” he commented, “but one is enough for a long time. I
+am not going to kill another unless it is needed very badly. What are we
+going to do with it?”</p>
+
+<p>After taking a number of photographs of the fish, David watched the
+sailors dress it. Then they cut it into slabs and sprinkled salt over
+the pieces, which they hung up to dry.</p>
+
+<p>“It will keep months now,” Don Marco said. “We shall need most of it,
+and what is left can be sold further up the river.”</p>
+
+<p>They rowed and poled upstream a short distance above the mouth of the
+creek and anchored for the night.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_78">{78}</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII</a><br><br>
+WHEN THE RIVER RAN RIOT</h2>
+
+<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">There</span> were a number of small settlements scattered along both banks of
+the river, but the trader did not stop at any one of them during the
+first days after leaving Manaos. He said they were too near the city, to
+which the people made frequent trips, so they naturally purchased their
+supplies during these visits, knew the market value of everything, and
+would not pay the prices he was compelled to charge. It was further
+upstream, where the inhabitants were more isolated and the distance too
+great for them to make frequent excursions to Manaos, that he expected
+to glean his harvest.</p>
+
+<p>The second day passed without incident. In one stretch, where the water
+was too deep for poling, the sailors got out long-handled hooks. They
+caught these in the overhanging branches and then walked along the board
+runways, but now they pulled as they walked instead of pushing, as they
+did when poling, and only half could engage in the work, as there was
+forest on only one side of them. Therefore, they were divided into two
+parties of six each, one resting while the other trudged along the wet,
+slippery boards.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to David as if the branches overhead har<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_79">{79}</a></span>bored all the insects
+in the world. Each time the hooks were thrust into them a shower of
+ants, leaf hoppers and a multitude of other winged and crawling
+creatures fell into the boat.</p>
+
+<p>The men seemed not to mind the hordes of creeping things streaming down
+their arms and bare backs, beyond an occasional exclamation of annoyance
+or some jesting remark when one of their number was deluged with an
+exceptionally large number. But when on the third day the hooks stirred
+up a nest of the fierce maribundi wasps their tolerant attitude quickly
+changed, for the insects were quick to resent the interference with
+their domestic affairs.</p>
+
+<p>Several of the wasps darted out of the dense foliage, their red bodies
+gleaming like flying sparks. They made straight for the men and
+simultaneously there rose a chorus of wild screams mingled with the
+clatter and splash of poles that fell from hands now occupied in
+striking at the darting specks or in clutching madly at their bodies.</p>
+
+<p>David came to the door of the storeroom to see what had happened; he was
+amazed at the strange antics of the sailors, who were now making for the
+opening in which he was standing. He was not kept in suspense long.</p>
+
+<p>If a red-hot needle had been thrust into him the effect could not have
+been more painful. One of the wasps had discovered David and had plunged
+its fiery dagger into his arm.</p>
+
+<p>He dashed back into the storeroom with a cry of pain, and the men
+followed in quick succession. They<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_80">{80}</a></span> slammed the door as soon as the last
+one had entered, and at last they were safe from the attackers.</p>
+
+<p>The batalao, left to its own devices, began to drift downstream, but
+none sought to stop it. The crew, packed tight between the boxes and
+bales, was too much occupied with a more vital matter, and some of the
+men who had been stung a number of times were screaming and moaning in
+agony, while from others came not a sound&mdash;they had lost consciousness.</p>
+
+<p>David had never suffered such intense pain in his life. His arm throbbed
+and burned and was rapidly swelling to huge proportions. At times he was
+on the point of fainting and grasped the nearest support to keep from
+falling to the floor. The stifling heat in the room added to the
+suffering of all.</p>
+
+<p>“Open the door!” Don Marco shouted. He had come through the encounter
+unscathed. “Get out into the fresh air,” he added; “we have drifted past
+the nest; the danger is over.”</p>
+
+<p>Someone obeyed the first order mechanically and those who could walk
+went out upon the deck. They presented a sorry appearance. Some had been
+stung on the hands; others on the face or bare backs, the exact spots
+being marked by rising protuberances of an angry red color.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime David was wondering what he could do in the matter of
+giving relief. He thought of iodine; that would help. Then he remembered
+the snake-bite lancet in his pocket&mdash;a hard rubber device that looked
+like a short fountain pen, with a sharp steel blade in one end and a
+pocket of permanganate<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_81">{81}</a></span> of potash crystals in the other. He would try
+that, on his own arm first.</p>
+
+<p>After opening the wound with a quick thrust of the keen blade he rubbed
+a quantity of the dry powder into it. Then he painted the whole area
+with iodine. Relief from the burning pain followed quickly; there
+remained only the dull throbbing.</p>
+
+<p>Encouraged, he began working on the sailors. They submitted to his
+ministrations and were grateful for the help he gave them.</p>
+
+<p>“The maribundi wasps are terrible creatures,” Don Marco said that night.
+“I am more afraid of them than of anything else in the jungle; they are
+even worse than snakes, because there are more of them and it is
+impossible to escape from them when they are encountered. If a man is
+stung four or five times, he dies. And only one sting will often make a
+person sick for weeks.”</p>
+
+<p>They had anchored so soon as it was possible to muster enough hands to
+row the boat to the bank.</p>
+
+<p>“Are they very common along the river?” David asked anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, here and on the Orinoco too; and not only along the water, either.
+One is liable to run into them in the forest and in the clearings alike.
+They are quick to attack the moment they are disturbed. You must give me
+some of your remedy, for it is the best I have ever found. But for your
+quick work some of the men would have died.”</p>
+
+<p>The journey was not continued until two days later; the men had
+recovered sufficiently by that time to<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_82">{82}</a></span> resume their duties. They were
+obliged to use the hooks, as before, and could only trust to luck for
+the future.</p>
+
+<p>That day they stopped at several clearings and traded with the settlers.
+The places were interesting&mdash;like notches hewn into the heavy jungle,
+openings with ragged edges where the vegetation was advancing in solid
+formation to reclaim its own. There was abundant other evidence that the
+fight of man against the forest was incessant. Second-growth sprouts
+sprang up in the yuca fields in back of the huts and unless they were
+cut down promptly they soon formed dense thickets that smothered the
+cultivated plants. Besides the yucas, from which the farinha was made,
+there were clumps of bananas, plantains, sugar cane and tree melons;
+also small plantations of coffee trees. These were from ten to fifteen
+feet high, round and bushy, and covered with clusters of small red
+fruits. Each of the little spheres contained two coffee beans, their
+flat side resting face to face, and the whole surrounded by a thin,
+sweet pulp. There were tall breadfruit trees near the huts, their broad
+leaves providing shade and the great cylindrical green fruits serving as
+an addition to the food supply.</p>
+
+<p>The Brazilian cherries interested David greatly. They were about the
+size of the ones he was accustomed to at home, and of the same bright
+red color, but had deep grooves in them from stem to tip, so that a
+cross section would have the outline of a star.</p>
+
+<p>Most of the people were squatters in the wilderness. They were
+Portuguese who had cleared their little<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_83">{83}</a></span> patches of land and were
+subsisting on the bounty of the soil and the river. They worked little,
+except in fighting the forest, as all vegetation grew so luxuriantly and
+yielded such abundant crops that little cultivation was needed to
+produce all the food they required. They were easy-going, good-natured,
+and spent most of their time in their hammocks, conversing and sipping
+tea or coffee.</p>
+
+<p>A few of the stations, however, were owned by residents of Manaos, who
+visited them occasionally and maintained hired help permanently to
+cultivate the soil and care for a few cows, pigs and fowls.</p>
+
+<p>The dwellings were all of similar construction&mdash;flimsy structures with
+bamboo walls, earth floors and roofs of palm leaves. The tropical
+luxuriance of the foliage all around them, however, gave them a
+picturesque appearance so that they seemed to fit properly into their
+surroundings. A more substantial type of house would have been
+impracticable and out of place in such a climate.</p>
+
+<p>“Are there no large ranches along the river?” David asked, after leaving
+one of the clearings.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, there are a few, but they have been started very recently. Each
+time I come back this way I find a few new ones, but none of them is
+very large. We expect to reach one of them tomorrow; I just heard about
+it in Manaos.”</p>
+
+<p>“What is it called?”</p>
+
+<p>“Las Palmas. The owner is one of your countrymen. They say he has an
+enormous ranch in the Argentine and is going to make Las Palmas the
+best<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_84">{84}</a></span> and largest in the Upper Amazon. But it will be hard work and I
+doubt if he will succeed.”</p>
+
+<p>“Do you know anything about the owner? What did they say about him in
+Manaos?” David asked eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>“Nothing much except what I told you.”</p>
+
+<p>“That might be a good place for me to stop,” David suggested.</p>
+
+<p>“Tired of the river already?” Don Marco asked in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>“No! Just beginning to become interested.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then it must be that you do not like our company. I am sorry,” and the
+captain seemed offended.</p>
+
+<p>“No! Nothing of the kind,” David hastened to assure him. “You have been
+mighty good to me and I wish I could stay with you on the whole trip.
+But my time is limited and I want to see some of the ranch life. To tell
+the truth, that is the reason I came to Brazil.”</p>
+
+<p>“As you wish. But I shall be sorry to see you go.” There was a note of
+real regret in Don Marco’s voice. “It has been a pleasure to have you
+and I have enjoyed your company.”</p>
+
+<p>They reached the landing just before noon of the following day.</p>
+
+<p>“This must be the spot, but where is the ranch?” the Venezuelan asked,
+greatly puzzled, as he looked up the narrow trail leading from the high
+bank straight through the heavy forest. Aside from this path there was
+no evidence of life in the neighborhood.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_85">{85}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“I know the river too well to be mistaken,” he continued. “This is the
+spot they described to me.”</p>
+
+<p>But the tall, dark trees standing like sentinels over the narrow lane
+men’s hands had made at their foot were grim and silent, as if guarding
+some secret.</p>
+
+<p>“It may be back from the river a short distance,” David suggested.</p>
+
+<p>“It must be. But a ranch should be on the water, or very near to it.
+That is the custom here. They have boats and launches at Las Palmas, but
+where are they? This is the landing. We shall see!”</p>
+
+<p>Then, calling to two of his men, Don Marco continued:</p>
+
+<p>“You, Pedro and José, walk down the trail and see how far it is to the
+house. Come back at once after you find it. Do not tell anyone your
+business or mine.”</p>
+
+<p>The men departed, soon disappearing among the shadows cast by the
+tangled branches overhead. Some of the other sailors began to fish,
+while David got together his things preparatory to leaving. The cook
+prepared slices of the salted pirarucú for the departing guest, for
+David had found the flesh delicious and had said so on several
+occasions. It was just as well that the cook had taken for granted that
+the remarks referred to his cooking, rather than to the natural quality
+of the fish, for he showed appreciation in various ways, the most
+acceptable of which was the frequent preparation of those things David
+liked best to eat.</p>
+
+<p>Hour after hour passed, but the two men did not return. Some of the men
+waiting on the boat began to fear that they had lost their way or had
+met with<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_86">{86}</a></span> a mishap. And David, remembering the many things he had heard
+about Las Palmas and the fate that would befall anyone attempting to
+enter the place, began to wonder if he were not to blame, for he had
+failed to warn them of their danger. It was now too late for regrets,
+for the men had been gone more than three hours.</p>
+
+<p>“Why don’t we go after them?” he finally asked the captain. “I will go.
+They may be lost.”</p>
+
+<p>“Impossible,” Don Marco returned. “Both are good woodsmen and know how
+to find their way.”</p>
+
+<p>“Could they have been attacked by Indians or some animal?”</p>
+
+<p>“It is possible, but I think not. They know how to fight.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then why don’t they return?”</p>
+
+<p>“<i>Quien sabe!</i> We will wait a while longer and see what happens.”</p>
+
+<p>After another hour had gone by the two men returned, tired and mopping
+the perspiration from their faces.</p>
+
+<p>“Well?” their employer asked.</p>
+
+<p>“<i>Caramba!</i>” one panted. “Such a place! <i>Caramba!</i>”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” the other added, “such a place.”</p>
+
+<p>“What is the matter with it?” impatiently. “You act like a pair of
+dunces.”</p>
+
+<p>“Miserable,” the first man said. “I never saw anything like it. First
+you have to walk your legs off to get there, and when you arrive you
+find it is for nothing.”</p>
+
+<p>“That is the truth,” from the second man, “and<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_87">{87}</a></span> the trail is terrible.
+We had to cross streams on log bridges, wade through ponds filled with
+<i>yacarés</i>, and splash through mud nearly up to our knees. <i>Caramba!</i>”</p>
+
+<p>“But what did you find out?” Don Marco asked impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>“After we had been walking several hours&mdash;long after leaving the
+forest&mdash;a man on horseback rode up to us and asked us what we wanted.
+There were houses and sheds not far ahead and he came from that
+direction. When we told him he began shooting at us and chased us away.</p>
+
+<p>“We came back faster than we went&mdash;much faster, or we should not be here
+yet. There were Indians in the woods, too, but we escaped them.”</p>
+
+<p>“But did you tell them you only wanted to find out how far&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“We tried to, but the barbarian gave us only a half minute’s start
+before he began to shoot. We could not talk and run at the same time.”</p>
+
+<p>“You two cowards,” said the captain in disgust. “We have lost a whole
+afternoon on your account.”</p>
+
+<p>“Anybody would have acted as we did.”</p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps the man was joking,” David ventured. He was far from being
+comfortable.</p>
+
+<p>“We could not read his mind. We know what he said and did, and that was
+not very funny,” they said hastily.</p>
+
+<p>“What kind of a place was it&mdash;I mean the houses?” David continued. “Did
+it look like a real ranch?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_88">{88}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“It did not look like much&mdash;from a distance,” one of the men replied.
+“But we did not get very near to it.”</p>
+
+<p>“I suppose I shall have to find out for myself then,” he said with a
+sigh.</p>
+
+<p>“Are you going to stop here anyway?” asked the captain in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes. You will have to leave me here.”</p>
+
+<p>“It will be a long walk&mdash;and no telling what will happen when you get
+there, according to the report of these two.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I will have to take a chance. I can follow the trail and go
+slowly. I am sure they will not try to chase me away.”</p>
+
+<p>David wanted to start right away, but the captain would not hear of it.
+It was too late in the day to undertake such a long tramp through the
+forest. And for one unfamiliar with the country the attempt to spend the
+night under such circumstances was ill-advised, to say the least, for
+the trail was indistinct and difficult to follow even in the daytime.</p>
+
+<p>David reluctantly agreed to the force of these arguments, and as the
+boat was to remain there anyway for the night he decided that he would
+stay aboard.</p>
+
+<p>After supper they rowed a short distance into the stream and anchored.</p>
+
+<p>It was well that he did not ignore Don Marco’s advice not to attempt to
+spend the night alone in that, to him, unknown jungle, for the onrush of
+darkness had scarcely enveloped the earth when one of the terrific
+storms, as greatly feared as they are common on the Amazon, swooped out
+of the west and for two<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_89">{89}</a></span> hours held land and river helpless in its
+merciless grasp.</p>
+
+<p>The onslaught came suddenly. Before the first warning drops had awakened
+the sleepers, a wall of wind and falling water swept down the river and
+struck the batalao with such force that it nearly capsized.</p>
+
+<p>The men sprang from their hammocks and crowded into the storeroom, where
+they were held prisoner while the storm spent its fury.</p>
+
+<p>The downpour thundered steadily over their heads and here and there a
+small rivulet found its way through the roof. Below them, the waves
+hissed and boomed as they dashed against the sides of the dancing craft.
+And from the forest came an occasional roar, followed by a crash which
+told the fate of some great tree that had succumbed to the force of the
+gale.</p>
+
+<p>Although sweltering in the close atmosphere of their quarters the men
+were in no danger, for thanks to their preparedness the boat was far
+enough from the bank to prevent its grounding; and the anchor held fast.</p>
+
+<p>After a while the rain stopped, but the wind did not die down until
+daylight came. By this time the waves had attained a great height and
+the boat pitched and rocked so violently that those aboard began to be
+uncomfortable. All the while one other sound reached their ears above
+the shrieking of the wind and the pounding of the waves. It was a dull,
+muffled noise coming singly sometimes like the booming of a distant gun,
+and again in a rapid succession of roars, rumblings and crashes&mdash;some
+nearby, others far distant.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_90">{90}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Daylight revealed the cause of the disturbance. The constant beating of
+the waves had undermined sections of the river bank and long, narrow
+strips of it were falling into the water. It was a wonderful yet
+terrible sight to see the great masses of trees begin to shudder, then
+bow low and finally plunge headlong into the heaving, yellow flood that
+had washed the foundation from under their roots.</p>
+
+<p>After this din the whole tangled mass disappeared, only to come to the
+surface in a few moments to be swept downstream, the branches waving
+above the angry water like so many struggling arms appealing frantically
+for assistance.</p>
+
+<p>Each landslide further agitated the water and added to the power of the
+waves. And as the men looked up and down the broad expanse of river it
+seemed as if the work of destruction must encompass all the land. But
+with the coming of the sun the wind slackened and the waves subsided,
+and the slides were less frequent and of smaller extent. Finally they
+stopped.</p>
+
+<p>Don Marco said they had witnessed a sight that was as unusual as it was
+awe-inspiring. Not until days later would the last of the débris
+disappear down the stream.</p>
+
+<p>David took his possessions and went ashore and shortly after he had
+entered the dripping forest the batalao resumed its way up the turbulent
+river.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_91">{91}</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII</a><br><br>
+THE ROAD TO LAS PALMAS</h2>
+
+<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">That</span> lonesome walk through the towering forest was an experience David
+would never forget.</p>
+
+<p>How tall the tree-trunks were and how thick and straight. It must have
+taken centuries to grow to that size. On some, the lowest branches did
+not start until fifty feet or more above the ground; they reached toward
+and intermingled with their neighbors, forming a sturdy framework for
+the canopy of leaves that shut out the sunlight except in scattered
+spots where a bright shaft penetrated the thick mat and cast a dazzling,
+wavering blotch on the sombre forest floor.</p>
+
+<p>The steady drip of water came from overhead, and the ground underfoot
+was soft and spongy from the drenching of the previous night, so that
+there was not a sound as David walked rapidly up the narrow trail.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly it came upon David that the silence was not only under his
+feet; it was all about him. While he had expected to find the jungle
+teeming with life, there was not a sign of life. Instead of the chorus
+of screams, roars and howls that should have greeted his ears there was
+only the breathless silence of a vast solitude, so intense that the
+beating of his own heart seemed to pound in his ears like the blows of a
+sledgehammer.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_92">{92}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The wilderness was full of life&mdash;it must be&mdash;but where was it? David
+felt that inquisitive, eager, even menacing eyes were gazing at him from
+places of concealment in the dense vegetation; but he could not see
+their owners. This thought added to the uncanny feeling that was slowly
+taking possession of him.</p>
+
+<p>What if he should be charged by a jaguar? Or suppose a herd of ferocious
+peccaries should surround him? The trees were too thick to be climbed.
+There was no means of escape open to him.</p>
+
+<p>A twig snapped in back of him. He wheeled instantly, but saw nothing.
+Standing motionless, he waited a few minutes. Not a leaf stirred, but a
+faint, shuffling sound reached his ears, like the footfalls of some
+heavy creature stealing away. Without awaiting further developments he
+opened his pack and took out his revolver; he strapped the holster to
+his waist. That gave him a feeling of security and he continued the
+tramp through the gloomy forest.</p>
+
+<p>As time passed the pack on his back seemed to grow heavier and the
+perspiration ran down his face in rivulets. Also, the parcel was a
+serious impediment in crossing the numerous little streams spanned by a
+single log and that, frequently, of small size.</p>
+
+<p>Walking across the slippery foothold with the deep, murky water below
+was precarious in itself; the pack rendered it doubly so. He walked
+across the larger trunks and hitched over those of more slender
+proportions.</p>
+
+<p>David had just negotiated one of the latter and had stopped to readjust
+the weight of his burden. A faint<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_93">{93}</a></span> rustle made him turn suddenly and
+look down the trail. There, not a dozen paces from the stream he had
+just left, stood an Indian, a long bow in one hand, an arrow in the
+other. The brown skin of the savage, marked with stripes of black paint,
+blended well with the sombre tree-trunks and dark foliage.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment neither stirred but each gazed at the other, David in
+surprise and consternation, the Indian with an air of resentment at
+having been discovered. Then the latter advanced a step menacingly and
+raised the bow to the level of his shoulders. David’s hand flew to the
+holster on his belt and a shot, aimed high, rang out clear and sharp in
+the silent forest. The Indian gave a wild yell, sprang to one side and
+dashed away. The thud of his feet and the swishing of the branches were
+ample proof that he had no intention of stopping in the near vicinity.</p>
+
+<p>“I guess that fixed him for the present,” thought David; “but I’ll have
+to hurry; he might come back with others and then it would not be so
+easy to scare away the whole pack.”</p>
+
+<p>A hundred yards up the trail he stopped, slipped the pack off his back,
+and hid it in a mass of ferns growing between the buttressed roots of a
+great tree. After that he could walk more rapidly.</p>
+
+<p>When another hour had passed he noticed that the forest was becoming
+more open in character. The trees were further apart and the sunlight
+found its way to the ground in numerous splashes and pools of bright
+light. About the same time he heard the call of a bird&mdash;the first sign
+of animal life on all that long, solitary<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_94">{94}</a></span> tramp. It was fortunate that
+he saw the author of the sound, for it was a shrill, quavering note that
+was unearthly and weird in the extreme.</p>
+
+<p>The bird was of the shape and size of a guinea hen, but of a rich brown
+color. It ran out into the trail just ahead of him and stood looking at
+the man with bright, black eyes until he was nearly upon it, when it
+flew away with a loud whirr of wings. It was a poor flyer, however, for
+although it hurtled through the air at great speed, its course was
+erratic; it darted one way, then another, until it dashed against a
+tree-trunk and fell to the ground, where it lay fluttering. David
+started toward it, but before he had covered half the distance
+separating him from the now quiet creature a lithe form sprang out of
+the cover on one side of the path, picked up the bird in its mouth and
+darted out of view again.</p>
+
+<p>The marauder was of the cat family and spotted like a leopard, though
+not so large. Its sudden appearance gave David a start, for it proved
+that there was life in the silent forest in spite of the hush that
+prevailed. Unseen eyes and keen ears were about him; it required only
+the proper combination of circumstances to bring the creatures from
+their hiding-places. This thought was far from comforting and the lone
+wanderer redoubled his vigilance in an effort to forestall a surprise
+attack on himself.</p>
+
+<p>At last the forest gave way to a scrubby growth, and this was soon
+replaced by open country; that is, it seemed open in comparison to the
+jungle through which David had just passed.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_95">{95}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>There were low bushes in scattered groups; between them lay grassy areas
+of considerable extent. Clumps of trees stood like dark islands in the
+sea of lighter green; and here and there was the glint of water&mdash;lagoons
+fringed by reedy marshes.</p>
+
+<p>The picture was that of a perfect wilderness, but it was an enticing
+one. It bore the stamp of primeval nature and seemed pregnant with the
+promise of rich rewards for the one who cared to go in quest of them.</p>
+
+<p>“The ranch cannot be much farther,” David thought. “It would have to be
+out in the open, of course.” And he scanned the country in all
+directions for some signs of the buildings or their occupants.</p>
+
+<p>But the wilderness stretched on unendingly on all sides, with only the
+narrow thread of a trail to give evidence of the fact that the country
+was not unknown to man.</p>
+
+<p>There were other foot-paths, too, but they had been made by
+animals&mdash;deer, peccaries and tapirs, and occasionally there was the
+deep, broad imprint of a jaguar’s foot, or the smaller, uncertain track
+of an ocelot.</p>
+
+<p>Birds of many kinds dotted the sky and were spread out over the
+landscape. Parrots and great macaws sped by overhead; herons and egrets
+covered the trees as with a snowy mantle; and rafts of ducks floated on
+the quiet water, while smaller birds dabbled among the grass and reeds
+lining the lagoons. Of the latter, one kind in particular attracted
+David’s attention. They had long legs and long necks and could have been
+mistaken for snipe but for the fact that they seemed to run and skip
+over the surface of the water with the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_96">{96}</a></span> ease of covering firm ground.
+But when David drew nearer he saw that the birds had wide-spreading toes
+which enabled them to use the mats of small, floating plants as a
+footing. They were reluctant to fly, but when they did they fluttered
+like grasshoppers, exposing a greenish patch of color in each wing, and
+uttered queer, cackling, scolding notes.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the smaller ponds or sloughs had begun to dry. The water that
+remained was muddy and teemed with fish that had been left stranded far
+inland by the flood of the last rainy season. The imprisoned creatures
+were struggling frantically in the slimy liquid, dashing back and forth
+in futile efforts to find an outlet into some larger and friendlier
+basin. In their frenzy they attacked one another and numbers threw
+themselves out upon the land, where they gasped their last. Apparently
+this state of affairs had been going on for some time, for the ground
+was littered with heaps of the remains in the form of white bones that
+had been crushed by opossums and other nocturnal prowlers.</p>
+
+<p>The depressing sight and the stench made David avoid these places by
+wide detours whenever possible.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed as if the trail ran on interminably, winding between the
+lagoons and forest islands, traversing the highest, dryest places of the
+open country, but always leading on and on. If the ranch were in the
+neighborhood, there should be some indications of it. But so far neither
+horses nor cattle, smoke nor houses could be seen.</p>
+
+<p>David was beginning to wonder if he might not have<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_97">{97}</a></span> taken some branch of
+the original trail that was simply taking him deeper and deeper into the
+wilderness. He stopped for a moment to consider what best had be done.
+As he scanned the country his eyes caught sight of moving objects in the
+distance and a first glimpse convinced him that they were horsemen. He
+could have shouted for joy, for now it was but a matter of minutes until
+they should see him and then they would soon take him to the ranch. It
+never occurred to him that the riders might not want to see him or that
+they would refuse to help him if they could not avoid him, and that,
+too, in spite of the things he had been told he was to expect from the
+owner of Las Palmas. Just beyond, the ground was more open; he decided
+to go there and wave his hat to attract the attention of the men.</p>
+
+<p>As he started through the thick grass a warning bellow from directly in
+front stopped him in his tracks; he looked in the direction from which
+the sound had come, but could see nothing. A moment later a second
+bellow, more like a roar, reached his ears and at the same time he
+caught sight of a long, waving object like the head and neck of a great
+snake. Before he had time for action of any kind a huge, grayish body
+leaped out of the grass and charged. It was a rhea or South America
+ostrich. Onward it came with lowered head, hissing as it sped over the
+ground, the short wings drooping and feathers ruffled in a terrifying
+manner. It was upon David in a few seconds. The attack had been so
+sudden that he had not had time to grasp his revolver; as the great bird
+lunged<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_98">{98}</a></span> at him he stepped aside and caught the outstretched neck in his
+hands. That action, unexpected as it was new to the bird, bewildered it
+and it stopped. However, the surprise of the reception lasted but a
+moment.</p>
+
+<p>David clung desperately to the creature’s neck. Back and forth they
+struggled, the bird striking with its huge feet, beating with its wings
+and bellowing in its frantic efforts to break the man’s hold.</p>
+
+<p>The outcome of the struggle depended upon endurance. Sooner or later one
+of the two must give out, and for a time it was impossible to guess
+which would be that one. The bird was first to show signs of succumbing
+to the strain. Its struggles grew weaker and finally they ceased
+altogether, much to David’s relief, for he too was on the verge of
+exhaustion.</p>
+
+<p>When the rhea was quiet he relaxed his grasp. Instantly it again became
+charged with life. It gave a powerful wrench and the thick neck slipped
+from his aching fingers. But instead of renewing the attack, the bird
+seemed to have but one thought, but one desire, and that was to leave
+the locality as quickly as possible. It turned and fled in a series of
+long strides, its head held high, wings stretched out like sails, and
+feet that moved so rapidly the eye could not follow them in their
+prodigious leaps.</p>
+
+<p>The supposed horsemen had come nearer all the while and David now saw
+that they were a flock of the ostriches, which his attacker joined, when
+the entire company turned and soon disappeared in the distance.</p>
+
+<p>David went to the spot where he had first sighted<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_99">{99}</a></span> the bird. To his
+delight he found a mound of huge eggs. They were of an oval shape,
+creamy white color, glossy, and so large he could not span one with his
+fingers. There were twenty of them, neatly arranged in a slight hollow
+scooped in the ground. He could not take them with him, of course, on
+account of their great weight and size, but thinking that he might have
+need of them at some time in the near future he tore a strip of cloth
+from his trousers&mdash;rent by the bird’s sharp claws during the
+struggle&mdash;and tied it to the highest reed near the nest, to serve as a
+marker for the spot.</p>
+
+<p>Another half hour’s walk under the broiling sun and the end of the trail
+was in sight. There it was at last, but it looked nothing like the
+ranch-house David had pictured. Instead of the long, low, rambling
+building he had expected to find, with its corrals, and groups of
+saddled horses standing dejectedly under the shade trees, there was a
+ramshackle structure built of bamboo poles and covered with a thatched
+roof. A dozen or so smaller huts were scattered about the immediate
+vicinity. Here and there grew a cluster of tall, graceful palm trees;
+that was why the place was called Las Palmas.</p>
+
+<p>The surrounding country did not appear very inviting. It looked forsaken
+and, under the hot sun, almost desolate.</p>
+
+<p>David drew a deep breath and kept on his way. Perhaps the new life he
+had chosen was not going to be so interesting as he had imagined; but he
+would keep on just the same. This was no time for regrets.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_100">{100}</a></span> He must
+stick by his determination to see the thing through.</p>
+
+<p>As he approached the largest house a lone dog darted out from some place
+of concealment, growling and bristling; he called to it in a friendly
+manner, but it bared its teeth and slunk away. A man, obviously a
+native, came to the doorway of the nearest hut and stared at the
+stranger in open astonishment. David started toward him; the man gave
+him a malicious look and faded from view in the darkened interior of the
+hut.</p>
+
+<p>“Not a very inviting atmosphere around the place,” thought David. “But
+I’ll walk right into the big house as if I owned it and see what
+happens.”</p>
+
+<p>On the threshold he stopped, however, and knocked. There was no response
+from within, but, hearing the sound of voices in back of him, he turned
+quickly to see who was responsible for it. A small group of natives
+stood in the doorway of each hovel, or in front of it, eyeing him in a
+curious manner.</p>
+
+<p>“Enter!” one of them called to him. “The <i>patron</i> is inside.”</p>
+
+<p>David heeded this advice and walked in. He found himself in a long, low
+room with a hard-packed earth floor. A number of benches lined the walls
+and at one end were a wooden table and a chair. A man of burly
+appearance sat on the chair; his back was turned toward the doorway so
+that David could not see his face, but the neck was dark brown&mdash;David
+did not know whether the color was that of a native or caused by the hot
+sun. His clothes&mdash;a tan silk shirt and<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_101">{101}</a></span> khaki-colored riding breeches,
+with tall boots and huge spurs&mdash;were neat and not unattractive.</p>
+
+<p>The youth saw that much during the minute he waited respectfully just
+inside the room. Then, as the man paid no attention to him, he took a
+few steps forward.</p>
+
+<p>“Didn’t I tell you to keep out of here?” The man’s voice sounded like a
+roar, but still he did not look up from the papers before him. “Wait
+just a minute&mdash;then I’ll kick you out, so you will remember it the next
+time.”</p>
+
+<p>The man stood up and turned quickly.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, for the&mdash;” he exploded and stopped short in apparent surprise.
+His face was tanned also and smooth, and his eyes were blue. But for the
+fierce scowl he wore he would have been a most amiable-looking sort of a
+person.</p>
+
+<p>“Who are you? Where did you come from? How did you get here? What do you
+want?”</p>
+
+<p>The questions were hurled in such rapid succession that David was
+bewildered.</p>
+
+<p>“I am Jones,” he said, after an instant’s hesitation, and he tried to
+smile.</p>
+
+<p>“Jones? Jones who?”</p>
+
+<p>“David Jones. You are expecting me.”</p>
+
+<p>“Boy, you must be crazy. I am not expecting anybody”&mdash;with a sneer&mdash;“and
+furthermore, if I find out who brought you here I’ll break his neck.”</p>
+
+<p>“You don’t understand&mdash;” David began, but the other interrupted him.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_102">{102}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“Don’t you tell me I don’t know my own business,” he snapped.</p>
+
+<p>“Pardon me. I did not intend to be rude. But I understood that my father
+and you were old friends and that he had made arrangements for my coming
+here. He sent several cables&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, that’s it, is it? Just because he happened to know me he thinks he
+can send his lazy, shiftless son to me to look after. What does he think
+this is, a kindergarten? What I want is men, real men&mdash;not babies. What
+do you know, what can you do? Nothing.”</p>
+
+<p>David’s first feeling of consternation was giving way; also, he felt
+decidedly less important than he had when telling of his plans just
+before sailing, and on the steamer. What did he know after all? What had
+he ever accomplished? Now that he was actually face to face with the
+rugged type of man he had held up as his ideal, he felt very small
+indeed.</p>
+
+<p>“You are right,” he said meekly. “I don’t amount to much. I knew it, and
+that is why I wanted to get away to a place where I had to depend on
+myself and would have the chance to make good under trying conditions.”</p>
+
+<p>“You picked out the poorest place in the world. Don’t lie to me; you
+thought you could come here as Mr. David Jones, son of the big New York
+business man, and that I would let you hang around as an ornament, wear
+fancy cow-boy clothes, so you could send pictures to your friends at
+home to admire; and that<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_103">{103}</a></span> I would pay you a big salary for the honor of
+having you here. Well, you guessed wrong.”</p>
+
+<p>“I didn’t think of any of those things. I don’t want a cent until I
+honestly earn it. All I expect is a chance to do the things I have
+always wanted to do. My father did not send me away to get rid of me; I
+had a hard time to get him to let me come here.”</p>
+
+<p>The ranchman seemed to relent a little and, encouraged, David told him
+all, including his difficulties at Manaos and how he had finally
+succeeded in reaching the ranch on the trader’s boat.</p>
+
+<p>“You did have tough luck all around,” Rice commented, “but if I let you
+stay, it would only grow worse. Everything here has to be done by men
+who know their work; we haven’t time to be teachers. So you can rest up
+a bit; then I’ll send you back down the river. And that settles it.”</p>
+
+<p>A loud knock sounded on the door-frame.</p>
+
+<p>“Come in,” Rice called, and into the room stepped a tall, lean man,
+dressed in a blue cotton shirt and fringed, leather breeches. He had a
+cruel, swarthy face and small, restless eyes.</p>
+
+<p>“Now what?” his employer asked.</p>
+
+<p>“The launch is back from the Iguari; there has been more trouble with
+the Indians.” He cast a meaning look at David.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll go outside,” David quickly said.</p>
+
+<p>“No!” Rice bellowed. “You will stay right here until I tell you to go.”</p>
+
+<p>David stopped and quickly turned to face the two.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_104">{104}</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX</a><br><br>
+THE BEAST</h2>
+
+<p class="nind">“<span class="smcap">Now</span>, what’s the trouble?” Rice demanded in an angry voice.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s the Indians, mostly,” the foreman replied, shifting his feet
+uneasily. “They fight us every step of the way, when we get a few miles
+from the camp.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why don’t you fight back&mdash;kill them all. That’s the only way to handle
+the savages.”</p>
+
+<p>“We do, but there are so many of them that there are always others to
+take the places of the ones we kill. They seem to spring up like weeds,
+right out of the ground.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well? Go on! What else?”</p>
+
+<p>“The snakes are worse than ever this year.”</p>
+
+<p>“So you are afraid of snakes, too!” Rice said with a sneer. “You are a
+fine person to be entrusted with the management of the rubber camp. If
+you can’t do better than that, I’ll kick you out and put one of the
+half-breeds in your place. At least, they are not cowards.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m not afraid of the snakes myself, but when one or more of the men
+are bitten and die each day, it is not long before they all get scared
+and want to quit. And besides, every one we lose leaves one man less to
+collect rubber.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_105">{105}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“Is it really as bad as that?” Apparently Rice had underestimated the
+seriousness of the situation.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, worse. It was bad enough in ordinary times, but this year the
+drought is driving all the snakes to the river. They like the huts of
+the men to use as hiding places, and are always dropping down out of the
+thatched roofs or crawling over the floor at night; they even get into
+the hammocks. I have never seen anything like it. Mariano found a
+twenty-foot anaconda in his hammock the night before we left; that’s why
+no one has seen Mariano since&mdash;he left camp in such a hurry he did not
+even take his clothes.”</p>
+
+<p>“Snakes or no snakes, the rubber crop must be gathered.” Rice seemed to
+have made up his mind and spoke with an air of finality. “Soon the rains
+will be here and then the season will be over. You must get more men and
+try it again; we must have the rubber even if you lose every single man
+in the end.”</p>
+
+<p>“We can fight against the Indians and the snakes,” the foreman ventured,
+timidly, “but there is one thing we can’t overcome and that is the
+fever. There never was so much of it as this year&mdash;on account of the
+drought, they say. Most of the men who escaped the other two plagues are
+too sick to work.”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t tell me any more!” Rice thundered. “I’ve got troubles of my own.
+It’s up to you to harvest that rubber, so go do it. You are the foreman.
+Do anything you want to. Take every soul on the place; it don’t matter
+if none gets back alive, just so you bring back the rubber. Now, get out
+and do something.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_106">{106}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The foreman did not wait to hear more. He quickly made for the door and
+disappeared. David was alone again with the viper.</p>
+
+<p>He was speechless with amazement at the things he had just heard. Had he
+been given his choice now, it is but natural that the first impulse
+would have been to start for home as soon as possible. But he was not
+asked to make known his desires.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ve changed my mind about you,” Rice bellowed. “You will stay. You’ll
+make one more hand to get that rubber crop in before the rains
+start&mdash;even if you’re nothing but a boy. Can you swim?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” David answered meekly.</p>
+
+<p>“Can you ride a horse?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p>“Can you throw a rope?”</p>
+
+<p>“No. I never tried, but I can learn.”</p>
+
+<p>“You are a fine one to come to a ranch&mdash;expecting to run it. I ought to
+chase you out, and I would if I didn’t need you so badly. The rubber
+camp will soon bring out the kind of stuff you’re made of. But just
+remember this; we won’t tolerate any smart ideas or new notions. You
+don’t know anything and you’ll do exactly as you are told. You are not
+Mr. Jones’ son so long as you stay around here. Your official name is
+Nobody, and that’s what I’ll call you. You are right down on the bottom
+and you’ll stick there, too, if I am any judge of character. Now go, and
+tell Carlos where you hid your pack, so he can send for it. He’ll fix
+you up with what you need, and remember, he’s your boss. Do whatever he
+says and if he thinks<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_107">{107}</a></span> you worth the trouble, he’ll take you up-river.
+Get out just as fast as you can and don’t bother me again.”</p>
+
+<p>David was too bewildered to resent anything that had been said to him.
+It had all come like a thunderbolt, suddenly, unexpected and terrible.
+He merely stammered “Yes, Sir,” and hastily departed. Outside the door
+he drew a deep breath of relief. What a frightful character Rice was! He
+had not the slightest regard for life. No wonder they called him the
+viper, but David could not think of any creature that was so repulsive
+to him as this man, unless possibly it was a hyena.</p>
+
+<p>How could his father have sent him to such a place? Then the truth
+occurred to him. He had not been sent. He had insisted on having his
+way. If he had known the truth; if only he had listened to the advice of
+others who knew the world better than he, and&mdash;&mdash;. But, no! He dared not
+think such thoughts. He had gone this far and there must be no quitting.
+He would see the thing through. Somehow, some way, matters would
+straighten themselves out and if they didn’t he would force them to.</p>
+
+<p>Seeing the foreman near one of the larger huts, David went toward him
+unaware that the eyes of the beast were following his every movement.
+The look of cruelty had gone from the eyes and a smile was on his
+face&mdash;a smile partly of amusement and partly of pity, as he looked at
+the forlorn figure approaching the burly Don Carlos.</p>
+
+<p>“Hm!” he chuckled. “He’s showing the right stuff, so far. Getting here
+the way he did wasn’t easy. I<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_108">{108}</a></span> didn’t think he could do it. I can’t help
+but admire him and if he don’t make good, I’ll be disappointed.”</p>
+
+<p>“Mr. Rice sent me to you,” David addressed the foreman. “I guess I am to
+go with your outfit.”</p>
+
+<p>“What, you?” sarcastically. “You wouldn’t be good for anything except to
+cook for the <i>mozos</i> or some such work.”</p>
+
+<p>“All right. You are the boss.”</p>
+
+<p>Evidently the foreman was not prepared for such a reply and for a moment
+he was at a loss as to what to say.</p>
+
+<p>“Very well,” he said finally. “If that is the way you feel about it, I
+guess we can use you. But I warn you in advance that you’ll have a hard
+time of it. You’ll be the only white man; the others are Indians and
+Mozos. They have to work hard and put up with anything, and so will
+you.”</p>
+
+<p>“I am not asking any favors. I’ll do the best I can.”</p>
+
+<p>“Come along then. I’ll show you where you’ll live while we are here.
+Where is your pack?” the foreman asked.</p>
+
+<p>David told him where he had hidden it.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll send for it. There’s a short cut you don’t know so it’ll be easier
+for one of the men to get it.”</p>
+
+<p>They entered one of the shacks, the interior of which was larger than
+the outside indicated. Stout poles set into the ground and covered with
+a veneer of grass formed the walls; the roof was made of palm leaves.
+The floor was hard-packed earth. A number of hammocks had been swung
+between the poles and small, wooden chests and bags of various kinds
+lined the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_109">{109}</a></span> walls. Light was admitted through one window opening and the
+doorway. The place was gloomy and stuffy and David recoiled at sight of
+his quarters, but said nothing.</p>
+
+<p>“Put up your hammock in the best place you can find,” the foreman said.
+“If you have none draw one from the supply house. You’ll have to sign a
+receipt for it, and for anything else you get and it will be charged to
+your account. That’s the way things are issued here.”</p>
+
+<p>By nightfall the newcomer had been installed in his new quarters. His
+pack had arrived and he had drawn a number of things he needed from the
+supply house. There had also been the first meal at the ranch mess
+shack&mdash;chunks of beef roasted on sticks before a wood fire, boiled beans
+with farinha and coffee. It was the first food David had had since early
+morning, and it seemed wonderful to him.</p>
+
+<p>After supper the men gathered in their huts and played guitars, sang
+songs and smoked. They did not enter their hammocks until a late hour
+and even then they conversed in loud voices for some hours longer.</p>
+
+<p>It was uncomfortably warm under the mosquito netting, but the humming of
+the insects just outside the cloth dissuaded David from removing it.
+Better suffer the heat than permit the mosquitoes to feast on him and
+perhaps inoculate him with the germs of the dread malarial fever of
+which he had heard and read so much.</p>
+
+<p>The night came to an end somehow and again David was forcibly reminded
+of his surroundings by the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_110">{110}</a></span> babble of voices around him for an hour
+before their owners slid from their hammocks.</p>
+
+<p>That day was a busy one. He spent the first part of it getting
+acquainted as best he could with the men about him who would be his
+constant companions. They were a ragged, unkempt crowd of all shades
+from yellow, through brown, to black and at first they regarded him with
+suspicion. But after he had assured them that he was to be one of them
+and later distributed a generous supply of tobacco, they regarded him in
+a more favorable light and one or two called him <i>camarada</i> which word
+they used in addressing one another.</p>
+
+<p>However, they seemed unable to comprehend why a white man should be
+relegated to their lowly, unhappy station. That situation was new to
+them and time alone would accustom them to it.</p>
+
+<p>One of the group, Miguel by name, however, did not hesitate to show open
+resentment toward what he considered an intrusion by a stranger who was
+not of their kind. He was of heavier build than the others, apparently
+with Indian blood in his veins and occupied the place of leader of the
+party. When they sang he announced the songs; he led the conversation
+and talked in the loudest voice; and when they worked, he selected the
+easiest tasks for himself.</p>
+
+<p>In David he saw a possible rival; but he had met similar situations
+before and he knew of various ways of handling them.</p>
+
+<p>David, after asking permission of the foreman, drew more things from the
+keeper of supplies. Among them<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_111">{111}</a></span> was a rope, for he must become
+proficient in its use in roping cattle upon his return from the rubber
+camp. His object was, of course, to learn thoroughly the ranching
+business; all other things were but a means toward that end.</p>
+
+<p>Asking questions judiciously, David learned many things. The men told
+him that there were cattle on the place&mdash;many of them, but at the
+present time they were far away roaming the grasslands and attended only
+by a few rangers who would head the roving bands back to the ranch with
+the coming of the rainy season when grass would be abundant in the
+country nearby. And that he had reached the place by an old, seldom used
+trail; the new one was only a score of yards long. The launches came up
+a small creek that flowed almost past the doors of the ranch houses.
+They all agreed that the rubber camp was an extremely unattractive place
+and about Rice, owner of the place, they refused to talk.</p>
+
+<p>Preparations for the departure were being made in a leisurely manner.
+True, there was need of haste, for the dry season would not last
+forever. Doing things slowly was, however, typical of the country. The
+men simply could not be hurried beyond a given point. Probably the
+climate was to blame for the fact that the people did not possess the
+energy and initiative of those of a more northern latitude.</p>
+
+<p>There were bales of <i>charque</i> or dried, salt beef that looked like
+bundles of leather scraps; bags of beans, coffee and brown sugar; and
+many bags of farinha.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_112">{112}</a></span> In the course of his inspection of the
+settlement, David had the opportunity to see how the latter was made.</p>
+
+<p>One whole hut was given over to the manufacture of the coarse meal, and
+women exclusively were engaged in the work. Yucas, which were tubers
+like very large potatoes, were being brought from the plantation some
+distance away. The women carried the heavy burdens on their heads,
+balancing them without using their hands to steady them. Others took
+them, pared and grated them; for the latter process they had a board on
+which small, sharp stones had been glued. The juice was then extracted
+by filling long, tubular baskets with the mash and suspending them from
+the ceiling; a heavy stone was tied to the bottom of the filled baskets.
+The weight pulled the baskets downward, contracting them and thus
+expressing the juice from the pulp. This liquid was caught in wooden
+containers and allowed to ferment after which it was used as a beverage.</p>
+
+<p>After the greater part of the moisture had been removed the contents of
+the baskets were emptied into a vat; they were taken from this as needed
+and placed into shallow pans over low fires. The women stirred the
+steaming masses constantly with long-handled paddles until they had
+thoroughly dried, when the particles separated into a coarse meal. That
+was the finished product&mdash;called farinha.</p>
+
+<p>The next day they began loading the launch. David joined the line of
+mozos and carried his share of the bales and bags. Most of them were
+very heavy, so it was hard work and the perspiration ran in streams<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_113">{113}</a></span>
+down his bare back. But he stuck to the task without complaint or
+comment.</p>
+
+<p>On his return from one of the trips to the launch David found Rice
+standing near the passing file of men, surveying them with an appraising
+eye.</p>
+
+<p>“Good morning,” he said, halting.</p>
+
+<p>“What?” The voice that replied was filled with sudden anger. “Whining
+already? Want to go home? I expected it!”</p>
+
+<p>“Why,” David started in surprise. “I only said good morning.”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t good morning me. And don’t say anything else, either. You are not
+to talk to me unless I speak first&mdash;no peon is allowed to.”</p>
+
+<p>“Very well.”</p>
+
+<p>“The foreman is your boss; you are nobody&mdash;with a little n. When I have
+anything to say to you I’ll let you know pretty quick; and you keep your
+mouth shut. Now move on.”</p>
+
+<p>David moved on without further urging. He felt as if somebody had given
+him a sound thrashing, but after all, what could he expect from the
+beast? He had agreed to start at the bottom although he had not known
+how low that bottom might be but he expected no favors&mdash;wanted none. He
+would show them that he could stand on his own feet without their help
+and even in spite of anything they might do; time alone would tell the
+story.</p>
+
+<p>When night came he was so tired that he sought his hammock right after
+supper. Neither the loud voices of the mozos nor the uncomfortable
+position he was<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_114">{114}</a></span> forced to assume on account of the short stretch of the
+ropes kept him awake. For the first time in several nights he slept
+soundly, and it seemed but a moment when someone called them all to
+tumble out in a hurry to prepare for the journey up the river.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_115">{115}</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X</a><br><br>
+THE ASCENT OF THE UPPER AMAZON</h2>
+
+<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Day</span> was just breaking when the launch nosed her way out into the little
+stream. Overhead, the leaf-covered branches of the trees that lined the
+water-course met to form a delicate tracery of black against the graying
+sky.</p>
+
+<p>Birds raised their voices, clear and cheery in the checkered canopy and
+others responded in drowsy, listless whispers from the dark walls on
+either side.</p>
+
+<p>Where the creek was narrowest or where the foliage was so dense as
+completely to obscure the sky, the water seemed to melt away into deep
+pools of blackness; but the launch glided on and on without plunging
+abruptly into some unseen abyss, although the muffled throb of the
+engine always seemed fainter in the heavier gloom as if in deference to
+the all-pervading spirit of darkness.</p>
+
+<p>Once there was a sudden crashing in the heavy undergrowth followed by
+the splash of a heavy body in the water; then silence for a short
+interval. Now the sequence was reversed. There was first a splashing in
+the water and then the crashing of brush&mdash;on the opposite side of the
+stream. A tapir, alarmed by the boat, had sought refuge in the water
+only to discover<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_116">{116}</a></span> that the cause of its terror was directly in its path.
+Therefore it had dived and swum swiftly beneath the surface and then,
+emerging, lost no time in regaining the land.</p>
+
+<p>When the light grew somewhat stronger gaunt forms appeared between the
+water and the fretwork overhead. They always sprang out of the deepest
+shadows and melted into the distance as silent as spectres and as devoid
+of clews as to their identity. But finally, when one of them emitted a
+hoarse croak of fright as the launch rounded a bend and brushed the
+vegetation in which the creature had been concealed, David knew that it
+was a heron.</p>
+
+<p>The occasional chorus of squawks that came from high above belonged to
+flocks of macaws on their way to some fruiting tree for an early
+breakfast.</p>
+
+<p>By the time the sun rose the launch had entered the main river where the
+craft hugged the shore in order to avoid the strong current further out.
+There now being less danger of collisions they moved at a faster rate of
+speed. David could not but feel how different this mode of travel was
+from the slow, painful progress made by the batalao when he came up this
+same river to the ranch.</p>
+
+<p>The Solimoes was broad, majestic and awe-inspiring. Frequently they were
+caught in swift eddies near the bank, where the launch had to fight for
+each inch of the way; and occasionally they had to make detours far out
+into the river to avoid treacherous sand bars covered with only a few
+inches of water. The latter were<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_117">{117}</a></span> in great contrast to other parts of
+the river where the depth was immense.</p>
+
+<p>One such place was pointed out by the men. The spot was marked by a keg
+buoy; one of the steamers plying on the Upper Amazon had gone down there
+shortly before with nearly all hands. The boat had been located on the
+bottom, two hundred and ninety feet down. Divers could not descend to
+that great depth and even if they could they would not on account of the
+aquatic monsters that lurked far beneath the surface.</p>
+
+<p>At Palomas, a small station maintained from the ranch, they stopped to
+replenish their supply of gasoline. Carrying the cases to the launch and
+storing them took several hours and as it was late in the afternoon when
+the work was finished it was decided to remain at anchor until the next
+morning.</p>
+
+<p>David worked with the others, carrying the heavy tins on his shoulder
+until it seemed the sharp corners had cut furrows in the flesh; and,
+while some of the others did a good deal of complaining, he said
+nothing.</p>
+
+<p>After the task had been completed he stripped for a swim&mdash;the first in
+days. One of the men observed his action and hastened to caution him
+against entering the river on account of the great numbers of crocodiles
+and cannibal fishes that congregated at this particular spot and would
+make short work of anyone foolhardy enough to enter the water. However,
+there was a place farther up where one could swim in safety.</p>
+
+<p>Several others now came to join them and together<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_118">{118}</a></span> they went to a little
+bay where a stockade of stout poles had been driven into the bottom
+forming an enclosure that barred the entrance of the savage creatures
+inhabiting the river.</p>
+
+<p>So far, the peons, while not discourteous, had persisted in their
+aloofness toward David, and he could not but feel that as yet they had
+not accepted him as one of their number. He wanted to overcome that
+feeling on their part; he was compelled to share their labors and it was
+but natural that he wanted to share their confidences also. The tobacco
+he had given them in the hut at the ranch, and on several occasions
+after that, had helped break down the barrier between them. But for the
+greater part, they had accepted it merely as a present from someone
+financially able and by nature generous enough to give it. Anyone in
+like circumstances could do that. It would require some feat of physical
+prowess and courage to establish the stranger deeply in their
+estimation. Not until he had demonstrated such traits to their entire
+satisfaction would the gulf between them be closed.</p>
+
+<p>After ascertaining the depth of the water, David began to dive off the
+high bank, from numerous positions, and before he realized it, the men
+had stopped swimming and had formed a semi-circle to watch. Then came
+exclamations of surprise and approbation as he plunged, again and again,
+into the water.</p>
+
+<p>“Bravo,” they shouted as he reappeared after each splash.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s nothing,” David answered with a happy smile. “Come along and I’ll
+show you how to do it.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_119">{119}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But the men did not follow him; the bank was too high, they said.
+Therefore, Jones showed them various strokes in swimming and in this
+they all joined, vieing with one another in attempts to master the
+lesson and thereby win the <i>muito bom</i> of approval from the master.</p>
+
+<p>When they returned to the launch the men who had been to swim told the
+others what had occurred and were loud in their praise of their new
+companion.</p>
+
+<p>Everyone listened interestedly except Miguel, their self-appointed
+leader.</p>
+
+<p>“Who couldn’t swim inside the stockade?” he asked derisively.</p>
+
+<p>“It wasn’t that. We all swam, but it was the ways he did it. And you
+should have seen him dive from the top of the bank, and you know how
+high that is.”</p>
+
+<p>“All it takes to do that is practice,” Miguel said, with an air of
+pouring out wisdom to the ignorant. “Some day we will see if this Nobody
+is so wonderful in the water. I will go into the river&mdash;” he paused so
+that they might appreciate the full weight of his words, “into the
+river, I said, where there is no stockade, or into a lagoon full of
+piranhas and crocodiles. See if he will follow me.”</p>
+
+<p>At first David said nothing. But the men were looking at him expectantly
+and a few were showing disappointment in their faces.</p>
+
+<p>“All right,” he answered slowly. “Let me know when you are ready. I am
+not trying to show off but I can certainly do anything you can.”</p>
+
+<p>The men now looked at Miguel. He moved uneasily.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_120">{120}</a></span> His bluff had been
+called, much to his dismay. But he held his ground.</p>
+
+<p>“I will let you know” he said, “and everybody else, too, so they can see
+just how brave you are and what a good swimmer you are. You said you
+would follow me; I have witnesses.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes. I said that. I expect you to make good&mdash;I have witnesses, too.”</p>
+
+<p>Just then the cook called the men for the evening meal, so taking their
+bowls and spoons they went to the launch for their dole of rice and
+beef.</p>
+
+<p>In the days that followed, David gave demonstrations and lessons in
+swimming and diving so often as the opportunity presented itself; and,
+under his instruction a number of the party soon became adepts at
+performing the feats they had admired so greatly. In return, they showed
+him how to handle the lasso and he lost no chance to practice with it,
+using stumps and snags for targets and sometimes one of the men who
+would run past, inviting the entangling coils of the rope.</p>
+
+<p>Miguel made no further mention of his challenge and David was careful
+not to remind him of it. It was not until several weeks later that the
+matter again came up, with consequences as unexpected as they were
+startling.</p>
+
+<p>For the present David was fully occupied with the venture in hand. There
+were a hundred things he wanted to learn and the questions he asked were
+many. The men, however, were reluctant to talk on most subjects and he
+finally came to the conclusion that<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_121">{121}</a></span> their reticence was the result
+either of ignorance or of orders from higher up.</p>
+
+<p>They were glad enough to help him with his study of their language&mdash;so
+far as they themselves knew it; to tell him about the river or the
+animals; and of the methods employed in collecting and preparing the
+rubber latex. But when he asked about Rice, the ranch, or kindred things
+they remained ominously silent.</p>
+
+<p>After a while David did not mention these subjects again. It was too
+evident that the men did not want to discuss them.</p>
+
+<p>A week later they entered a river that joined the Solimoes from the
+west. It was a small stream compared with the one into which it
+emptied&mdash;not over a few hundred yards in width. At least, the channel
+they had entered was narrow and the water was clear and swift so that
+the launch made slow progress. When David looked down at the water
+speeding past them it seemed that they must be moving along at a furious
+rate; when he looked at the trees on the bank he knew that they were
+barely making any headway. It took several hours for them to battle
+their way up the turbulent stretch of rapids.</p>
+
+<p>“That is an island,” said one of the men, pointing to the land on their
+right. “This channel is bad enough&mdash;especially when the water is low.
+But you should see the branch on the other side of the island. There is
+a drop there several meters high and no boat can pass up or down it.”</p>
+
+<p>David was not greatly impressed by these words.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_122">{122}</a></span> He did not recall them
+even later when he found himself suddenly at the brink of that very
+drop.</p>
+
+<p>The country rapidly became wilder in appearance. Perhaps it only seemed
+so because the stream was so narrow that they had a continuous close
+view of both banks and the heavy growth that clothed them.</p>
+
+<p>The launch seemed strangely out of place in the dreary, primeval waste
+of jungle and hurrying water. Men had come and gone before on the river;
+and Indians and beasts lived in the green fortresses on either side. But
+there was no sign of them, no trace of their presence or existence. Only
+once was there evidence that others besides themselves were stirring on
+the now silent, undemonstrative river.</p>
+
+<p>They had just rounded a sharp bend which had obstructed their view
+up-stream. Ahead of them and not more than two hundred yards distant was
+another abrupt bend. The stern of a dugout canoe was just disappearing
+around it. They could not see the occupants of the craft, but the
+widening circles of ripples on the water showed that a number of paddles
+had been dipped deep to propel the canoe at great speed.</p>
+
+<p>They reached the spot soon after. Ahead of them was a clear stretch of
+water fully a mile long. It was not possible that the Indians could have
+covered that distance while the launch, travelling much faster, was
+traversing the very short distance that had separated them. But the
+dugout was not in sight. There was not a trace of it&mdash;not even a ripple
+on the water to tell where it had gone. It had vanished completely.</p>
+
+<p>The river glided on as smoothly and as silently as<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_123">{123}</a></span> before with the
+secret of the mysterious craft safely locked in its yellow flood.</p>
+
+<p>“The guns,” the captain said quietly as they steered toward the middle
+of the stream.</p>
+
+<p>The men who had weapons loaded them and held them ready for instant
+action. They scanned the banks as they sped along, but saw no signs of
+the canoe. There were no creeks or inlets in which it could have been
+hidden.</p>
+
+<p>“Where did it get to?” David asked in astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>“Who knows?” one of the men answered. “That is one of the mysterious
+things the Indians do that cannot be explained. One minute you see them,
+the next they are gone. And the minute you forget all about them a
+shower of arrows comes rattling around your head.”</p>
+
+<p>“I can’t understand it. I should think it would get on your nerves,”
+David commented with a shudder.</p>
+
+<p>“It does. Who wouldn’t be upset when he knows there are silent, tricky
+shadows all around him that appear and fade away at will. You’ll
+understand it better when you have been in the country longer.”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t feel comfortable. It doesn’t seem natural.”</p>
+
+<p>“I tell you these Indians are <i>diablos</i>. They are not human. That’s why
+we are no match for them. You’ll see!”</p>
+
+<p>The river grew somewhat narrower as they advanced up-stream. Also the
+water was still falling, the dry season not having reached its height.
+In a few weeks it would be at its lowest stage; then it would remain<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_124">{124}</a></span>
+stationary for some time, until the coming of the rains when it always
+rose rapidly until the stream was converted into a roaring flood.</p>
+
+<p>The receding water left the ledges of rock that cropped out of the river
+bank exposed above the surface&mdash;some of them many feet up, others
+sloping gently into the stream. All of them were covered with mud which
+had not dried on the more recently exposed ones.</p>
+
+<p>They came suddenly upon such a table-like expanse glistening in the
+bright sunlight. On it were dark masses that moved. The distance
+separating them was at first too great for David to tell just what the
+objects were, but the men saw them before long and raised a shout of
+joy.</p>
+
+<p>“Meat, meat!” they said. “Now we will have fresh meat to eat.”</p>
+
+<p>“What are they, turtles?” David asked, then answered his own question.
+“They can’t be. Look at the bright colors.”</p>
+
+<p>“They are birds,” someone said. “All kinds of parrots.”</p>
+
+<p>“Parrots? What are they doing in the mud?”</p>
+
+<p>“Eating it, of course.”</p>
+
+<p>“And you expect me to believe that? There are a good many things I don’t
+know about your country, but I do know that parrots don’t eat mud.”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s the truth”; it was Miguel who strove to show his superior
+knowledge. “They come each year when the water is low and gorge
+themselves on the fresh mud.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_125">{125}</a></span> There is salt or something of that kind in
+it and they come to get that.”</p>
+
+<p>They were now near enough to the ledge so that a good view of the birds
+could be had. There were large groups of them that must have totaled
+thousands of individuals. Many different species were abundantly
+represented. There were red and blue macaws of great size; large green
+parrots with yellow heads; parrokeets no larger than an English sparrow;
+and many of intermediate dimensions. Almost every hue of the rainbow
+could be seen in the assortment. But standing out from the motley array
+was a group of the magnificent hyacinthine macaws.</p>
+
+<p>Much to the surprise of David the birds were not alarmed upon the
+approach of the launch. Ordinarily so wary, they paid not the slightest
+attention to the oncoming, noisy craft, but continued delving deeply
+into the mire with their hooked beaks.</p>
+
+<p>“The mud makes them stupid,” they explained when he asked the reason for
+the seeming indifference, “or else they get drunk on it. Anyway, they
+can’t fly away. That’s why we are going to have all the fresh meat we
+can eat for a few days.”</p>
+
+<p>When the launch reached the ledge the men leaped ashore with poles in
+their hands and clambered into the midst of the groups of birds. A few
+took wing, circled once or twice and then came back to their old places;
+a number of others ran about aimlessly, obviously bewildered, but unable
+to seek safety in flight. The vast majority, however, did not notice the
+men, who began clubbing them with their poles.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_126">{126}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>David revolted at the sight, but was powerless to prevent the slaughter,
+in which, however, he took no part.</p>
+
+<p>“I’m going to have one for a pet, though,” he thought, “one of the big
+blue ones.”</p>
+
+<p>He threw his coat over a hyacinthine macaw and carried it back to the
+launch where he deposited it on the deck. When he removed the covering
+the bird struggled to its feet and stood blinking at him in a dazed
+manner.</p>
+
+<p>How wonderful it was! It measured nearly four feet from the tip of its
+hooked beak to the end of its tail, and was of a uniform deep blue
+color. The bill was of enormous proportions, fully three inches deep,
+the upper mandible ending in a sharp, hooked point, the lower fitting
+into it like a keen-edged scoop. He had not imagined that such a
+creature existed.</p>
+
+<p>Soon the men came back laden with their victims. They made several trips
+back and forth to gather up all the birds they had killed, but at last
+the task was completed and a high heap lay on the deck. Fortunately,
+large numbers of survivors still remained on the ledge, eating as
+unconcernedly as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.</p>
+
+<p>When the men saw what David had done they roared with laughter.</p>
+
+<p>“Wait until it wakes up,” one said. “It will make things hot for you.
+You’ll never manage it.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m going to tie it,” David explained. “Here is a string that I bet
+will hold it.”</p>
+
+<p>At this they laughed louder than before.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_127">{127}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“Better use this wire,” one suggested, handing him one of the kind used
+in binding the bales of dried beef, and he accepted it, fastening one
+end to one of the bird’s legs and the other to the rail.</p>
+
+<p>“Now, I guess you’ll stay a while,” David commented. “I’m going to tame
+you and take you back home with me.”</p>
+
+<p>The remainder of the day was spent plucking and dressing the parrots and
+that night they ate quantities of them that had been boiled first and
+then roasted. The flesh was of excellent flavor, though many of the
+birds were tough in the extreme. However, they were a most welcome
+change from the everlasting dried beef and there were enough left for
+several days to come.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_128">{128}</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI</a><br><br>
+IN THE RUBBER FOREST</h2>
+
+<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> rubber camp was a dismal place. The clusters of huts comprising the
+settlement stood in the deep shade cast by gigantic trees that grew
+close together; most of them were little more than shelters&mdash;peaked
+roofs on poles, and were of the flimsiest possible construction. The
+palm-leaf thatch was held in place by poles laid across it short
+distances apart, instead of being tied with strips of bark or creepers.
+However, the makeshift construction was entirely practicable as the
+hovels had to be replaced each year and they served their purpose well
+for one short season.</p>
+
+<p>The paths that had been worn between the huts were muddy and a number of
+lean pigs wallowed in them. The latter were the camp scavengers and were
+also relied upon to destroy scorpions, tarantulas and other obnoxious
+creatures that ventured near the human habitations.</p>
+
+<p>The smokehouses in which the rubber later was prepared, after it had
+been brought in from the forest, stood apart from the huts occupied as
+living quarters by the men. These had walls that enclosed them, but
+light filtered into the interior through the thin layer of leaves that
+extended from the roof to the ground.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_129">{129}</a></span> The earth floors were littered
+with an array of large tin cones, pails, bowls of various sizes, wooden
+paddles and heaps of the palm nuts burned to produce the acrid smoke
+needed to congeal the rubber milk. There were also numerous little
+fireplaces built of stones. David was to learn the use of all these
+utensils very soon.</p>
+
+<p>Several long dug-out canoes were tied up at the bank. They were a
+precautionary measure. If the water in the river should rise suddenly,
+as it sometimes did, the men could take to the boats as the whole region
+would soon be inundated.</p>
+
+<p>They unloaded the launch and carried the supplies to the storehouse.
+Their personal effects were taken to those huts having sufficient space
+for their hammocks. David returned to the boat just in time to see a
+large bird winging its way up the river.</p>
+
+<p>“There goes your pet,” one of the men greeted him. “I told you so.”</p>
+
+<p>The wire had been bitten in two as if it had been a thread.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, if it’s like that, I’m glad it’s gone,” David said, but he was in
+reality somewhat sorry to lose his prize.</p>
+
+<p>“You can’t keep them,” the man continued. “They bite or gnaw their way
+out of anything and if you try to be friendly they bite your fingers
+off.”</p>
+
+<p>The bird had swerved in its flight and with raucous screams disappeared
+over the tree-tops.</p>
+
+<p>Nothing was seen of the men engaged in the rubber harvest, for they were
+in the forest collecting the pre<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_130">{130}</a></span>vious night’s flow of sap. Only two
+Brazilians, the cook and his helper, were on duty at the camp, and they
+kept up a continuous bombardment of questions of the newcomers, most of
+which concerned David, but he did not try to understand what was being
+said.</p>
+
+<p>The Indians and Brazilians arrived from the forest shortly before noon
+and looked at the white man in astonishment. The Indians had their
+abodes apart from the others and did not mingle with the Brazilians;
+most of them had their entire families with them and all helped with the
+work in hand.</p>
+
+<p>David was awakened early the following morning. Daylight had not yet
+penetrated into the jungle, but by the time coffee had been prepared,
+each man going to the cook shack with his cup for his share, the gray
+light was filtering through the branches overhead. The Indians remained
+near their hovels and prepared their own food over small fires.</p>
+
+<p>“Come with me!” The speaker was one of the men who had come on the
+launch, and his words were directed at David.</p>
+
+<p>“Here is your outfit. I will start you on a route and tell you all you
+have to know,” he continued. “Tomorrow and every day after that you’ll
+be alone like the rest of us.”</p>
+
+<p>David took the small ax which, however, had a handle five feet long;
+that was the “outfit” to which the man had referred. Silently, he
+followed his guide into the forest.</p>
+
+<p>“Now, listen,” the latter said, after they had gone a short distance.
+“The trees that produce the rubber<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_131">{131}</a></span> milk are called <i>Hevea
+braziliensis</i>; everybody knows that name, even the most ignorant
+Indians, so you ought to remember it, too. The trees grow all over the
+forest, but the trouble is that there are never very many of them close
+together. You will find one here and one there and by the time you have
+discovered a few hundred you will be many kilometers from where you
+started. Could you tell one if you saw it?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, I know a rubber tree. It has long, thick leaves. Some of them grow
+higher than I am,” David replied, proud of his knowledge.</p>
+
+<p>“I never saw one like that. This is one of the kind I mean,” and the man
+stopped. Before him was a tree fully seventy-five feet high and eighteen
+inches through at the base. At first it looked to David exactly like all
+the other trees around them. But a second glance showed a number of
+V-shaped welts distributed evenly around the lower part of the trunk.</p>
+
+<p>“Is that one?” he asked. “It is different from my kind, but I see. It
+will be easy to find the trees now that you have pointed one out to me.
+I could tell them from a distance on account of the way the bark grows.”</p>
+
+<p>The man burst into a laugh.</p>
+
+<p>“The bark don’t grow that way naturally,” he said. “This tree has been
+bled some time ago and those marks are the scars that have healed over.”</p>
+
+<p>He then explained the characteristics by which the hevea trees could be
+readily identified. The bark, for instance, was fairly smooth, and the
+long leaves grew in little clusters of three.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_132">{132}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>They walked on rapidly winding to right and to left so as to find all
+the trees growing in a wide belt of country, but kept a straight course
+toward the east.</p>
+
+<p>After a while the guide stopped suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>“Do you know where we are?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, I think so,” David replied.</p>
+
+<p>“Where is camp?”</p>
+
+<p>“That way,” and David pointed north.</p>
+
+<p>“You’re wrong, but it’s my fault. I should have told you before; the
+best way to mark your trail in the jungle is to bend down twigs as you
+go along. The under sides of the leaves are much lighter than the upper
+sides, so you can see them a long way off. Watch!”</p>
+
+<p>He snapped a small branch and the two walked on. Looking back, David
+could easily distinguish the light, silvery under surface of the leaves
+on the branch that had been bent.</p>
+
+<p>After that he snapped twigs frequently, leaving a well-defined trail in
+back of them.</p>
+
+<p>They had spent nearly three hours in the forest and had penetrated a
+distance of fully four miles.</p>
+
+<p>“This will be enough trees to start with,” the Brazilian said, stopping.
+“I have spotted two hundred and fifty of them and they will keep you
+busy until you learn more about the work. After a while you can go as
+much further as you like. A good man works five or six hundred trees.
+But you will have your hands full with these now.”</p>
+
+<p>“What do I have to do?” David asked. “How do you milk a rubber tree?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_133">{133}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“They are not milked,” the man replied with a superior air. “They are
+bled. We will take this one for an example. Watch what I do. Look
+closely and ask me any questions you want to.”</p>
+
+<p>He took the long-handled ax and standing on the tips of his toes made a
+number of quick cuts in the bark as high up as he could reach. Two
+incisions were always made together to form a V, and the blade was not
+driven straight into the bark but at an angle so that the cut had
+slanting edges.</p>
+
+<p>After encircling the tree-trunk with these marks&mdash;about ten inches
+apart, the ring of them being over ten feet above the ground, the man
+stopped to explain their purpose. They were made merely to stimulate the
+flow of sap or latex. Each cut was a wound to the tree; it would rush a
+stream of sap to the spot to cleanse it, keep out insects and dust and
+to seal it until it could grow together again. That was nature’s way of
+protecting the tree when it was injured and while healing was in
+progress.</p>
+
+<p>If the tree were wounded in too many places at the same time it would be
+unable to cope with the situation and would die of the shock. But if the
+injuries were inflicted in gradually increasing numbers it would build
+up a strong defense by storing a large quantity of sap, ready to be
+rushed to any part of the trunk to clean new abrasions and protect them
+so soon as they were inflicted.</p>
+
+<p>Three or four days would be required to bring about this state of
+affairs in most cases, although in some trees it would take a week.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_134">{134}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>That would be David’s first task&mdash;to make circles of incisions each
+morning to stimulate the trees to action.</p>
+
+<p>Next, he was told the rules that had to be observed in tapping the
+trees. The cuts must be ten inches apart and each new ring must be ten
+inches below the last one. Also, the position of each incision had to be
+halfway between those above, so that two days’ work would look like this</p>
+
+<div class="poetry">
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">V V V V<br></span>
+<span class="i2">V V V V<br></span>
+</div></div>
+</div>
+
+<p>Only one other thing remained to be told. No tree was to be disturbed
+unless it had a circumference of six spans half a meter above the
+ground.</p>
+
+<p>When, on the fourth or fifth day, the milk began to flow in quantity
+sufficient to be collected, a strip of tough palm midrib was tied around
+the trunk near the base. One side was pushed down a few inches; when the
+milk ran down the trunk it was stopped by the girdle and flowing along
+it soon reached the lowest part where a large leaf folded into a cone
+was suspended to receive it.</p>
+
+<p>It all looked very simple and David was sure he would have no trouble in
+following the instructions given him. On the return journey he snapped
+twigs continually so that he could easily find his way over the same
+route the next day.</p>
+
+<p>He was back on the trail early, starting at the same time as the others,
+who branched away in all directions. The long-handled ax was in his
+hands and the revolver,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_135">{135}</a></span> which he now always carried, was in its holster
+at his side. Most of the men had a firearm of some kind; others had bows
+and arrows, in the use of which they were proficient, having learned the
+art from the Indians.</p>
+
+<p>There was no trouble in picking up the trail of the previous day, and
+the bent twigs with the silvery under side of the leaves showing
+plainly, made it easy to follow the route that had been selected for
+him.</p>
+
+<p>As he came to each rubber tree he stopped and made the circle of
+V-shaped cuts so high up as he could reach with the ax. It was still
+early when he finished and began the homeward walk. The forest was
+strangely silent save for the call of an occasional bird in the
+distance.</p>
+
+<p>As he was covering his route for the second time he noticed that the
+cuts he had made the day before were covered with beads and rivulets of
+whitish gum. Some of it had trickled down a few inches on the trunk
+before hardening. That was encouraging and he hastened to make the
+second ring of incisions below the first.</p>
+
+<p>This was continued daily for a period of five days and by that time the
+sap was flowing so abundantly that the ground at the foot of the trees
+was covered with it. The girdles and leaf-cups were now put in position
+and it was with a feeling of eagerness that David started on his journey
+the following morning, this time carrying a large tin pail in addition
+to the ax.</p>
+
+<p>Each folded leaf contained from one to two ounces of the milky sap. They
+were emptied into the bucket and the leaves were replaced at the lowest
+part of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_136">{136}</a></span> belt. New cuts were made in the trees for the next day’s
+supply.</p>
+
+<p>When Jones reached the end of his line the pail was nearly full and he
+had to walk carefully in order not to spill any of the precious fluid.
+Also, it was very heavy. As he walked along slowly, an idea came to him.
+Why had he begun to collect the milk at the near end of the trail? That
+meant carrying the filled pail all the way back! By starting at the far
+end the pail would not be full until he was nearly back in camp and so
+the carry would be a short one.</p>
+
+<p>After the midday meal, which was most uninviting as it consisted of the
+eternal dried beef, rice and beans, all boiled together so that they
+formed a thick, brown mass, he went to one of the smokehouses to prepare
+his day’s catch.</p>
+
+<p>This structure, like the others used for the purpose, was almost
+entirely enclosed; that is, the palm leaves, of which the roof was
+composed, hung down in a ragged fringe until they touched the ground.
+The ends were closed with other leaves fastened to cross pieces of
+bamboo. There was only one small opening that served as a doorway, but
+light entered the interior through the numerous little holes between the
+leaves.</p>
+
+<p>The smoke was so dense that at first David could see nothing. His eyes
+began to smart and tears rolled down his cheeks. The smoke threatened to
+suffocate him and, coughing violently, he began to grope blindly for the
+doorway.</p>
+
+<p>“Stoop down, <i>caboclo</i>,” someone called to him and he obeyed
+mechanically. The air was clear lower<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_137">{137}</a></span> down; in fact, the smoke hovered
+in a thick cloud near the top of the structure, its lower edge four feet
+above the earth floor.</p>
+
+<p>David had recognized the voice that had called to him. It was Miguel’s.
+And the word <i>caboclo</i> meant a sort of worthless fellow and was always
+used derisively. But he was in no condition to resent the insult just
+then, so pretended not to have noticed it.</p>
+
+<p>When his eyes had cleared he could make out a number of men squatting
+near their smudges, each engaged in smoking his day’s harvest of rubber
+sap. There being several unused fireplaces he went to one of them and
+set down his pail. Then he went to one of the men&mdash;one he had taught to
+swim and dive, and asked questions, watching him proceed with his work
+the while. The process was a very simple one, so he soon returned to his
+place, started a fire between the stones and when the dry sticks were
+blazing he placed upon them several of the large palm nuts used to
+produce the smudge.</p>
+
+<p>Soon the smoke was rolling upward in a broad, white column; then he
+placed one of the tall, cone-shaped tins over it so that it now poured
+out of the opening in the pointed end in a small though dense stream.</p>
+
+<p>The milk was emptied into a wide, shallow pan. A pole five feet long and
+having a circumference of six inches was suspended by one end from the
+rafters with a strong cord. He took the loose end in one hand, swung the
+pole over the pan, dipped up some of the milk with a gourd dipper and
+poured it over the central part of the pole. A good deal of it adhered
+to the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_138">{138}</a></span> wood but the greater part of it ran down again into the pan.
+Then he quickly swung the pole so that the part covered with sap was
+directly over the tin cone; the acrid smoke pouring out of it instantly
+converted the milk into rubber by congealing and darkening it.</p>
+
+<p>In a short time he became very proficient in the operation. The pole was
+kept swinging back and forth constantly; when it was above the pan it
+received a fresh coat of milk and when it swung over the smoke a new,
+thin layer of rubber was formed.</p>
+
+<p>It took several hours to prepare his morning’s catch. The novelty of the
+work made it interesting, at first. After that it was nothing but a
+monotonous, mechanical grind and David was glad when the last drops had
+been scooped out of the pan and added to the slowly forming ball on the
+pole. All the others had finished their work long before that time and
+were lolling about camp.</p>
+
+<p>David went to his quarters for his lasso. There were still several hours
+before nightfall and he would use them in practice with the rope; it was
+absolutely necessary that he become expert in its use before returning
+to the ranch.</p>
+
+<p>Again and again the coil was swung over his head and sent speeding at a
+conveniently situated stump that served as a target. More often than not
+the loop fell wide of the mark. He was so engrossed in his occupation
+that he had not noticed the little group of men that had gathered to
+watch his efforts.</p>
+
+<p>“He will never learn anything. Just look at that! missed it four
+meters.” David knew that the voice<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_139">{139}</a></span> belonged to Miguel, without turning
+to look at the speaker. “I told you he was a <i>caboclo</i>,” the latter
+continued.</p>
+
+<p>David pretended not to hear. He whipped up the noose with a snap and
+prepared it for another throw.</p>
+
+<p>“And he’s worse than that. If anybody called me a caboclo I’d fight.”
+Miguel had been encouraged by David’s silence and was adding insult to
+injury.</p>
+
+<p>That was too much for David. He dropped the rope and in a few quick
+strides reached the man who had so openly challenged him.</p>
+
+<p>“Look here,” he said very quietly, “don’t you ever get the idea that I’m
+afraid of you&mdash;or anyone else either. This is not the first time you
+tried to make trouble; but it’s going to be the last time. Understand?”</p>
+
+<p>The even tones deceived Miguel. The only kind of fighting he knew was
+always preceded by loud, fiery arguments. The American was clearly
+evading the issue.</p>
+
+<p>“Well,” he said with a sneer, “what are you going to do about it?”</p>
+
+<p>“This!” David’s right fist shot out like a bolt and sent the
+troublemaker flat on his back.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_140">{140}</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII</a><br><br>
+A BATTLE WITH A CROCODILE</h2>
+
+<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">A gasp</span> escaped the circle of onlookers as Miguel struck the ground. And
+the first feeling of surprise was followed by one of expectancy, of
+curiosity to see what would happen next. According to the rules of the
+game as they knew it David should have immediately pounced upon the
+prostrate man and given him a good mauling, but he did nothing of the
+sort. That puzzled them.</p>
+
+<p>He stood over him, however, with clenched fists, ready for instant
+action when Miguel regained his feet.</p>
+
+<p>After a moment the man opened his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>“Now take back what you said,” David demanded.</p>
+
+<p>“I was only joking,” Miguel answered, rising to a sitting position and
+holding one hand to his head.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I was not joking,” David replied. “You know that by this time. I
+was in dead earnest. I’ve stood for a good many things to keep from
+hurting anybody, but there’s a limit. Take back your words or you won’t
+stay on your feet very long when you get up. I’ll knock you down every
+time you try it. What you’ve had so far is only a sample.”</p>
+
+<p>The man looked appealingly to the circle of his companions. But the look
+in their faces gave him no<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_141">{141}</a></span> encouragement to expect help in that
+direction. First one, then another face was scrutinized. The onlookers,
+if anything, were afraid the fight would stop too soon; they wanted to
+see more of it.</p>
+
+<p>“Hurry up!” David’s voice rang out clear and sharp. “Do what I told you
+to unless you want to spend the whole afternoon down in the dirt.”</p>
+
+<p>“I said I was only joking,” Miguel persisted. “I said I didn’t mean
+anything.” He stopped short.</p>
+
+<p>“All right. And I said I am not joking. Now continue. Say you’re sorry
+and take it all back.”</p>
+
+<p>After a short hesitation the man did as he was directed.</p>
+
+<p>“Now get up,” David said. “I’m sorry, too, I had to hurt you and I hope
+it won’t be necessary to do it again. It depends on you.”</p>
+
+<p>Picking up his rope he continued his occupation as unconcernedly as if
+nothing had happened.</p>
+
+<p>Miguel got up and walked toward one of the huts. The others, however,
+remained, watching David’s efforts and giving him a good deal of helpful
+advice which he was glad to have.</p>
+
+<p>Day after day the work of collecting the rubber sap continued. The
+unvaried nature of the work was monotonous. Each morning David tramped
+up the long trail to its end and then went slowly homeward emptying the
+little leaf-cups into his pail and cutting new gashes into the trees as
+he went. The flow was increasing steadily and was of excellent quality.
+As a result of this the ball of rubber on the stick in the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_142">{142}</a></span> smokehouse
+grew rapidly. Each day’s work added another layer to the rapidly
+accumulating mass.</p>
+
+<p>The men, so it was said, received the equivalent of ten cents a pound
+for the rubber they collected. And as David was now adding not less than
+twenty pounds a day to his lot, it was amounting up rapidly.</p>
+
+<p>In covering his route one day he found that instead of the white liquid
+he had expected to find, many of the cups were filled with little cakes
+of a tough cheesy consistency and of a grayish color. He could not
+account for the sudden change. Removing one of the cups he pulled away
+the leaf in fragments, revealing the little cake in its entirety, and
+puzzled over it for some time. There was nothing to do but to collect
+the masses and replace the leaf-cups with new ones. Those containers
+that held latex as it should be were emptied into the pail. David
+removed his shirt and used it for a bag in which to carry the chunks of
+congealed substance.</p>
+
+<p>This took more time than usual and it was well past the noon hour when
+he reached camp. The men were in the smokehouses, busy with their
+occupation. It had occurred to David that the condition of his catch
+might be the result of some change in the weather, but when he saw the
+others with their pans of snowy liquid he knew that there must be some
+other reason.</p>
+
+<p>Dom Carlos, the foreman, happened to be in the hut when he entered. He
+was in his usual ugly mood and glared at David as he emptied the
+contents of his shirt on the floor.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_143">{143}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“What have you got there?” he called in a loud voice.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t know what caused it,” David began, while some of the men
+started to laugh, “but it was nearly all like this today. I thought
+maybe it was the heat caused it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Who do you think I am, to try to give me such an excuse?” Carlos
+bellowed. “The heat! The heat! It must have affected you but not the
+rubber. It’s your own laziness spoiled it. You’ve wasted a day of your
+employer’s time and a lot of his property. Do you realize that?”</p>
+
+<p>David did not like being called down before all the others and he could
+hardly keep from expressing his feelings in a forcible manner. But upon
+second thought he suppressed the impulse. Perhaps the man was trying to
+pick a fight.</p>
+
+<p>“What’s the reason for it?” he asked. “Why did the milk get hard like
+that?”</p>
+
+<p>“Dirt, of course. You’ve been using the same old cups every day when you
+should make new ones at least every third day.”</p>
+
+<p>“What do you want done with this? Isn’t it worth anything?” David asked.</p>
+
+<p>“Throw it into the scrap heap. The boss is entitled to all the rubber on
+his property, and if anyone wastes it, as you have done, he suffers a
+loss. But I’ll see that he doesn’t lose anything in this case. I’ll
+charge it against your work,” the foreman said in an angry manner.</p>
+
+<p>That part did not trouble David greatly. He was<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_144">{144}</a></span> not counting so much on
+earning money as on winning the good will of everyone around him. So he
+made no reply.</p>
+
+<p>Having nothing to do that afternoon, after the small quantity of good
+sap had been prepared, he spent the time with his lasso. It was
+remarkable how quickly one could become fairly proficient through
+constant, earnest practice. He could now swing the rope easily and hurl
+it accurately. If he continued to show improvement at the present rate
+he would be well able to hold his own when they returned to the ranch.</p>
+
+<p>“I believe in making hay while the sun shines,” he thought, “then after
+I’ve won my spurs in the bush it will be easier to get along at Las
+Palmas.”</p>
+
+<p>The next morning the contents of most of the cups were found to be in
+the same condition as on the previous day. After examining a number of
+the little, tough cakes David came to the conclusion that no matter what
+caused the trouble, he was not responsible for it. The cups were clean,
+for they were new ones. And the milk that trickled from the cuts was as
+it should be; it was only after it reached the little containers that it
+quickly coagulated. No! It was not his fault and not the fault of the
+trees; they had not soured overnight. Someone had visited his route and
+had tampered with his work.</p>
+
+<p>First he would try to find out what had been done and the next step
+would be to discover the guilty party.</p>
+
+<p>He took one of the small cakes and examined it carefully. The exterior
+was perfectly smooth. Then he cut it in half and looked at the texture
+of the inter<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_145">{145}</a></span>ior of the mass. It did not differ from the outside. Not
+satisfied with this finding he divided one of the halves and when the
+knife had gone into it a little ways it scraped against some hard
+substance near the bottom. It was a large, black ant and he had cut it
+in two.</p>
+
+<p>That might be a clew as to what caused the difficulty. Acting on a
+sudden impulse he smelled of the pieces in his hand. There was a strong
+odor of acid, not unfamiliar to him.</p>
+
+<p>“Formic acid, of course,” he said half aloud. “Ants are full of it. It’s
+strong enough to curdle almost anything.”</p>
+
+<p>The presence of the ant seemed to explain the condition of the latex;
+but someone must have placed it there. It was possible that it had been
+attracted by the fluid and had fallen into it while drinking. But he did
+not recall having seen a single one at any time and if they were so
+plentiful that they invaded fully half his cups, it seemed that he must
+have observed them for they were of extraordinary size, being nearly an
+inch long.</p>
+
+<p>David cut open one after another of the muffin-like pieces as he found
+them; each contained one or more of the ants. That fact confirmed his
+suspicions. Then he pulled out one of the insects and examined it
+minutely; and the first thing he saw was that it was headless. He cut
+and broke the mass of rubber into small bits, but the missing head could
+not be found. A hurried examination of a number of other pieces produced
+the same result. All the insects had been<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_146">{146}</a></span> decapitated and were in about
+the center of the mass, indicating that they had been dropped into the
+cups some time after the sap began to flow&mdash;probably late in the
+afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>The whole thing was perfectly clear to David now. After finishing his
+work in the smokehouse Miguel stole back over David’s trail with a
+supply of the ants he had gathered at some nest he had discovered and
+placed them in the containers. He recalled now that Miguel was always
+among the first to finish the smoking and often disappeared shortly
+after. Also, it was not surprising that he should want to have revenge
+on the person who had humiliated him.</p>
+
+<p>David determined that he would feign ignorance of his discovery and trap
+the culprit at his game. He did not trouble to collect the coagulated
+masses, for they would only be thrown into the scrap heap, but tossed
+them aside and placed new cups into position.</p>
+
+<p>That afternoon David was passing the time with his lasso, as usual;
+several of the men who had finished their task were watching him and
+offering advice when up walked Miguel.</p>
+
+<p>The thrashing he had received rankled. He had lost prestige with the
+men; and he was determined to square the account.</p>
+
+<p>David saw at a glance that Miguel was in an ugly mood and bent on
+starting trouble, but pretended not to notice him.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment the Brazilian said nothing. But the look on his face as he
+watched David plainly showed the thoughts that were in his mind.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_147">{147}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“That was wonderful,” he said finally and with a note of sarcasm in his
+voice, as David, throwing at one of the men who ran past, thus serving
+as a moving target, missed. “Keep it up and you’ll soon be foreman of
+the ranch.”</p>
+
+<p>Strange to say, none of the men laughed. Their sympathy was entirely
+with David and this added to Miguel’s anger.</p>
+
+<p>“And how about that fancy swimming you talked so much about?” he added.</p>
+
+<p>“Who, me?” David seemed surprised. “I don’t remember saying anything
+about it.”</p>
+
+<p>“I do, and I have witnesses. You said you would go anywhere I would.”</p>
+
+<p>“All right. I’ll go any time you say.”</p>
+
+<p>“The water is full of crocodiles. You won’t go in when you see them, and
+then they,” pointing to the others, “will see how brave you are. And if
+you do go in you’ll be eaten in a minute, because you can’t swim well
+enough to&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll go at any time and place you say and I’ll do anything you will.
+Right now suits me. Now come on, or shut up,” David interrupted him
+hotly.</p>
+
+<p>Miguel flushed and moved his feet uneasily, but there was now no getting
+out of it.</p>
+
+<p>“The lagoon,” he said grimly. “We’ll go to the lagoon.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, Miguel; not there.” One of the men stepped forward as if to stop
+him. “It is full of <i>caimen</i> and they are the largest and most savage of
+any place. Go to the river.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_148">{148}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“Get out of the way!” Miguel pushed him aside.</p>
+
+<p>David had not even heard that there was a lagoon in the neighborhood,
+but followed his challenger as he walked away. Without fully realizing
+what he was doing he still retained hold of the rope. In his belt he had
+only the long brush knife each man carried; the revolver was in his
+hammock in the shack where he invariably placed it upon his return from
+the forest at noon.</p>
+
+<p>The men who had been present followed the two in a straggling line. The
+thing that was about to happen might have a thrilling ending and they
+did not want to miss it.</p>
+
+<p>Miguel took a trail that was new to David and walked rapidly through the
+semi-gloom of the heavy jungle. He was grimly silent. He realized the
+serious nature of the mission; he had spoken hastily and now regretted
+his conduct. But, much to his surprise, David had accepted promptly, and
+now, with the others following, there was nothing to do but see the
+thing through.</p>
+
+<p>After half an hour’s walk, during which no one spoke, they reached a
+point where the forest grew thinner and the patches of sky showing
+through the branches ahead of them were larger. They were coming to the
+jungle’s end.</p>
+
+<p>Then the trees were replaced by a growth of brush in scattered clumps
+and the ground was soggy underfoot. Ahead of them glistened a sheet of
+water fringed with reeds and grass. Here and there was a cluster of
+tall, feathery bamboo in which large, crested<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_149">{149}</a></span> birds were fluttering and
+croaking. A number of tall herons, frightened from their places of
+concealment by the newcomers, flapped heavily across the opening,
+voicing their resentment in hoarse squawks.</p>
+
+<p>A more desolate place would be hard to picture, but Miguel did not
+falter. He picked his way carefully over the muddy path and made
+straight for the lagoon, David not ten feet in back of him and the
+others bringing up the rear.</p>
+
+<p>It happened so suddenly that at first David did not know what took
+place. Miguel was just rounding one of the dense clumps of bushes when
+he gave a wild cry of terror and sank down into the grass. There was a
+struggle of some kind going on. The tall blades beside the trail waved
+and crumpled; there was the sound of a heavy body thumping in the mud;
+and Miguel’s screams filled the air.</p>
+
+<p>“Help! help! help! For heaven’s sake, help me!” he was calling
+frantically.</p>
+
+<p>David thought the unfortunate man had been seized by a giant snake. He
+looked back to where the other men had been; they were fleeing down the
+trail for their lives and calling to him to follow them.</p>
+
+<p>Just then Miguel’s head and shoulders appeared above the waving grass.
+He was clutching wildly at the stems and sprouts, but they either gave
+way or his grasp was broken by an irresistible force that was dragging
+him rapidly toward the lagoon.</p>
+
+<p>David started for the man on a run; and then he saw that Miguel was in
+the clutches of a monster crocodile. The repulsive reptile had seized
+him by one<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_150">{150}</a></span> foot and was moving away with surprising agility&mdash;so fast,
+in fact, that David could not hope to overtake it before it reached the
+muddy water.</p>
+
+<p>Miguel’s position seemed hopeless; in a few moments he would be dragged
+to the bottom and drowned.</p>
+
+<p>David’s mind was in a turmoil. His only weapon was the long knife in his
+belt, but that was useless at the moment. But there was the rope with
+which he had been toying when the trouble started and which was still in
+his hands. Almost before he realized what he was doing the noose was
+whirling over his head; the next instant it was soaring through the air,
+opening as it went, and as it sped on its way he prayed that it would
+find its mark.</p>
+
+<p>By this time the crocodile had reached the bare, muddy flat bordering
+the water. In another moment it would disappear into the stagnant depths
+with its terror-stricken victim.</p>
+
+<p>The rope flew after it with a whining sound and sent up a shower of thin
+mud as it struck. Then it lay limp. The noose had failed in its mission.</p>
+
+<p>A cry of despair escaped David when he realized what had happened; and
+then a tug, a violent pull, brought him to his senses. Luckily he still
+had the end of the rope in his hands, but he soon found that he had not
+the strength to stop the rush of the great creature. He was as nothing
+compared to the powerful reptile, which pulled him along as if
+unconscious of any hindrance.</p>
+
+<p>A clump of thick sprouts grew just off the trail to one side of him.
+They offered the one means of</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" id="ill_003">
+<a href="images/i_fp150.jpg">
+<img src="images/i_fp150.jpg" width="388" height="550" alt=""></a>
+<br>
+<span class="caption">He delivered thrust after thrust with his right at the
+vulnerable neck and throat.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p class="nind">salvation open to the man. David swerved around the growth and the drag
+on the line became less; and when he had encircled it there was scarcely
+any pull at all, for he had made a complete hitch around the stout
+stems, which now served as an unyielding anchor.</p>
+
+<p>The crocodile had come to an abrupt halt. It lashed its tail from side
+to side and writhed in its efforts to free itself from the grip of the
+rope that encircled one of its legs; but it still clung tenaciously to
+the man, unwilling to release him when but a few steps separated it from
+its element.</p>
+
+<p>David worked with frantic haste. He tied the end of the rope to one of
+the stems and, drawing the knife with its two-foot blade, rushed toward
+the struggling monster.</p>
+
+<p>“Save me! Save me!” Miguel was crying piteously, and in his anxiety
+David cast caution to the winds and dashed at the reptile, knife raised
+high above his shoulder. The next thing he knew he found himself
+sprawling in the mud where a powerful blow of the crocodile’s tail had
+sent him. He arose immediately, but this time he approached more
+cautiously.</p>
+
+<p>“Use your own knife,” he shouted. “Hack at the eyes, the throat&mdash;any
+place at all!”</p>
+
+<p>These words carried a ray of hope with them and for the first time
+Miguel seemed to regain his reason. He drew the shining blade from the
+scabbard and rained a shower of blows on the creature’s head, making it
+bellow with pain and rage.</p>
+
+<p>Blood began to stream from the numerous gashes, but still it refused to
+relinquish its victim. It was too<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_151">{151}</a><br><a id="page_152">{152}</a></span> occupied, however, to pay further
+attention to David; in a moment he had leaped astride the armor-covered
+back and, clutching the rough plates with his left hand, he delivered
+thrust after thrust with his right at the vulnerable neck and throat.</p>
+
+<p>Roars and bellows escaped the struggling reptile as it shook its huge
+body in vain efforts to rid itself of its adversary and filled the air
+with a shower of the thin mud. However, the odds against it were too
+great. Its efforts grew weaker and after a few minutes there were only
+the convulsive movements of its massive legs and tail. Its head had been
+almost severed from the body.</p>
+
+<p>David pried open the great jaws with the blade of his knife and released
+Miguel’s foot; then he carried him to the grass and removed his shoe to
+examine the extent of his injury. He found that two of the thick,
+peg-like teeth had entered the flesh. Obviously the crocodile had broken
+some of its teeth in previous encounters, or the man would not have
+escaped so easily. He bore the pain stolidly even when David probed the
+wound to encourage bleeding, for he dared not wash it with the stagnant
+water of the lagoon.</p>
+
+<p>Just then the men reappeared. They had witnessed the combat from a
+distance, but now that it was over they came back and discussed it in
+loud, excited voices.</p>
+
+<p>David went to get his rope and paced the distance beside the crocodile,
+finding it over twenty feet in length. Then he returned to the group.</p>
+
+<p>“Miguel will have to be carried back to camp,” he said. “He must not
+walk until I can wash and dress<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_153">{153}</a></span> his foot properly. You can all take
+turns carrying him, first one, then the other. Now, let’s start.”</p>
+
+<p>They obeyed mechanically, glad to be under the direction of the man who
+was now a hero in their sight, although they were still too dazed fully
+to appreciate it.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_154">{154}</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII</a><br><br>
+ADRIFT IN THE FOREST</h2>
+
+<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">That</span> night each one of the men who had witnessed the encounter of the
+afternoon described it in minutest detail to the others who had not been
+present. Even the Indians learned of it and came over in a body to hear
+the story told and retold, and then returned to their own shelters to
+discuss it far into the night.</p>
+
+<p>David was embarrassed by this great amount of attention.</p>
+
+<p>“It was nothing,” he assured them. “Each one of you would have done the
+same thing if you had had a rope.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, we wouldn’t,” they said, “especially if he had treated us the way
+he did you. He started it and was taking you there hoping you would
+be&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“Never mind that part of it. It’s all over now and, as I said before, it
+was nothing. I’m sure Miguel was only joking.”</p>
+
+<p>Miguel sat brooding through it all and David could not fail to notice
+it.</p>
+
+<p>“He’s sorry he put the ants into my rubber,” he thought with a smile.
+“Well, there won’t be any more of them for a few days at least, because
+he won’t be able to walk for a while. And, even when he can walk<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_155">{155}</a></span> again,
+he can’t possibly be mean enough to play any more pranks like that on
+me.”</p>
+
+<p>It was therefore with a light heart that he started over his route the
+next morning. He had first looked at Miguel’s foot; it was swollen, but
+showed no signs of infection; so he washed and dressed it and told the
+man that if he remained in his hammock for a few days he would be all
+right. Miguel submitted to the ministrations and advice without a word.
+He seemed eager to have David care for his injured foot, but if he
+appreciated the attentions he received he gave no evidence of it.</p>
+
+<p>“He certainly is a queer character, but as Tiny Tim said, ‘God bless us
+every one.’ I can’t figure him out,” David thought as he left the shack.</p>
+
+<p>The first few trees he visited had not been tampered with. The little
+cups were full of the precious, snowy liquid. He was positive now that
+his conjecture had been right. Miguel was the culprit; as he had not
+been able to visit the route the day before the catch had not been
+spoiled.</p>
+
+<p>Then great was his consternation to find that the very next cup was
+filled with a little cake of curdled latex, as before; and upon cutting
+it open he found the decapitated ants.</p>
+
+<p>Miguel was not the guilty one, after all. But who was? Someone was
+certainly responsible for the state of affairs. The ants could not drop
+their heads and then plunge into the white liquid that served as their
+graves.</p>
+
+<p>Continuing his walk along the trail, he found that<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_156">{156}</a></span> numerous other trees
+had been visited by the prowler that did so much harm, the same trees in
+most instances as before. There was now no one whom David could suspect
+and the solution of the mystery seemed hopeless. But he would outwit
+them all. Without saying a word to anyone, he would select a new line
+and tap the trees, being careful not to leave a blazed trail that would
+be so easy to follow.</p>
+
+<p>He began to collect the sap and threw the curdled pieces away as he
+turned his steps campward.</p>
+
+<p>Then a peculiar thing happened, so unexpected that it was startling. He
+had just rounded a bend in the trail. Ten yards ahead of him stood a
+thick hevea tree scarred by the cuts he had made. A flickering movement
+caught his eye; it was near the folded cup that served to catch the sap.
+Stopping in his tracks he looked intently at the little container, but
+saw nothing. He stood a full minute without removing his gaze from the
+spot, and just as he began to think that the flickering object had been
+a falling leaf his persistence was rewarded.</p>
+
+<p>A long, curved beak, followed by a brown head and two bright eyes,
+appeared cautiously around the tree trunk. David did not move. After a
+moment’s pause a brown bird about eight inches long hopped into view; it
+looked like a woodpecker, clinging to the bark with its feet and using
+its tail as a prop to sit on when it stopped to rest. David recognized
+it as a woodhewer, of which there were many species in the forest.</p>
+
+<p>The bird now hopped along fearlessly and for the first time the man
+noticed that it held something in<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_157">{157}</a></span> its beak. It made straight for the
+cup and dropped the object it had been carrying into it. Immediately
+after, it flew away; a few undulating dashes through the air and it had
+alighted on the base of a neighboring tree and at once began to hop
+nimbly up the straight trunk. Soon it disappeared into a hole high
+overhead, which was apparently the entrance to its nesting cavity. In a
+moment it came out again and, clinging to the bark, hammered vigorously
+some object it had brought out of the cavity; then it flew to the
+nearest hevea and dropped the morsel into the little pool of sap forming
+in the leaf-cup.</p>
+
+<p>David watched the bird make several more trips between its nest and the
+nearby rubber trees. The mystery was solved. It was catching the ants
+that invaded its domicile, pounding off their heads against the rough
+bark and then disposing of the remains by dropping them into the nearest
+pool of liquid it could find, possibly to make doubly sure that they
+would not again come to life to disturb it. If the nearest pool happened
+to be a cup of latex the bird, of course, used it and David suffered
+thereby.</p>
+
+<p>The woodhewers were plentiful in the forest, which accounted for the
+fact that so many trees had been visited by them. He wondered why the
+men had not told him about this.</p>
+
+<p>David said nothing about his discovery when he reached camp. But that
+afternoon, when he had finished his work in the smokehouse, he took a
+long walk in the forest, visiting the routes of several of the men. He
+found, as he had confidently expected, that the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_158">{158}</a></span> proportion of their
+trees visited by the birds was as great as on his own line; but the men
+had made up for the loss by extending their lines and bringing new trees
+into bearing as fast as others had to be discarded.</p>
+
+<p>This knowledge clearly pointed out to David the course he had to follow.
+And early the following morning found him prepared to extend his trail
+or open a new one. He carried his pail, as usual; in addition, the
+long-handled ax for tapping the new trees. His revolver and knife were
+in his belt.</p>
+
+<p>When he reached the end of the trail he put down the pail and continued
+walking through the forest; the country was all new to him, but he had
+no difficulty in locating rubber trees. They seemed more plentiful than
+ever, if anything. Clumps of them stood among the palms and other tall
+growths.</p>
+
+<p>As he penetrated farther and farther into the thick jungle he snapped or
+turned twigs every few steps so that there would be no trouble in
+finding his way back.</p>
+
+<p>He had been travelling in this manner more or less steadily for the
+greater part of two hours and had covered a distance of three or four
+miles. No less than two hundred new trees had been added to his line;
+when they produced freely, as they would within a week, his daily catch
+would compare favorably with that of the best in spite of the
+depredations of the woodhewers.</p>
+
+<p>To one side of him grew a very tall tree, towering high above its
+fellows; the trunk was straight and about four feet through, and David
+estimated that the lowest limb was fully sixty feet above the ground
+while<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_159">{159}</a></span> the topmost twigs must have been a hundred and fifty feet above
+his head. There were numbers of round objects hanging from the branches.
+He wondered what they were, and thinking that some of them might have
+fallen to the ground he walked to the tree to see if he could find one.</p>
+
+<p>Before long he found one of the large, cannon-ball-like objects, and
+upon breaking it open found a number of Brazil nuts inside. He stooped
+to crack one, but the blows from his knife never fell; from directly
+above him came the most peculiar song he had ever heard. It rose clear
+and ringing, setting the jungle a-tingle with its resonance, and
+swelling airily and easily until it seemed to penetrate the body of the
+listener.</p>
+
+<p><i>Oo-whee whee-e-e oo</i> came the song, first low and plaintive, then
+rising to a very loud yet mellow pitch and again descending to the low,
+sad <i>oo</i>, finally ending in a few almost inaudible <i>churrs</i>. It sounded
+somewhat like the ringing of a bell.</p>
+
+<p>Now, David had read about the bell birds of the South American forest
+and he felt that this must be one of them. Without rising, his eyes
+searched the branches overhead. The notes had come from so close at hand
+that the singer must have been in one of the lower growths, almost
+within reach of the man’s hand.</p>
+
+<p>There was not a stir among the leaves; the bird was not moving and would
+be harder to locate for that reason. As David gazed into the lacy
+vegetation about him the song was suddenly repeated and with such
+startling clearness that it sounded nearer than before.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_160">{160}</a></span> He looked
+quickly in the direction from which it had come, but saw nothing. It was
+exasperating; a creature capable of producing such a volume of sound
+must be of considerable size. Then why could not he see it, especially
+since it was so close to him?</p>
+
+<p>A short time later a second voice came, as if in answer to the first,
+but it was some distance away, reaching but faintly through the maze of
+vegetation on the right. David turned his head in the direction from
+which the new song had come, involuntarily, and at the same moment the
+voice of the first singer rang out even louder than before.</p>
+
+<p><i>Oo-whee whee-oo!</i> The swelling cadence cut the silence with appalling
+suddenness. It was uncanny, for try as he would David could not locate
+the bird that was calling. Either it was an accomplished ventriloquist
+and was not where he expected to find it, or it was so small and
+inconspicuously colored that it was hard to see.</p>
+
+<p>That was the last time the song was repeated in the near vicinity. Again
+and again the bursts of sound, rising and falling in astonishing volume,
+came to the bewildered listener, but now they were all in the distance.
+The songsters were all around him and the forest rang with their clear,
+penetrating notes.</p>
+
+<p>“I’m going to see one of them if it takes the rest of the day,” David
+said between clenched teeth. “That first one was right in front of my
+eyes, or I couldn’t have heard it so well. Why didn’t I see it then?”</p>
+
+<p>He went to the tree from which the nearest song was flowing; when he
+reached it there was only<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_161">{161}</a></span> silence. After a moment’s wait he left the
+spot and went to another where several birds were calling. But they
+immediately hushed their voices. Then he went to another, and another.
+But each time he changed positions the voice he sought was quickly
+silenced while the jungle resounded with the others, all of which were
+some little distance away.</p>
+
+<p>It occurred to him that his abrupt movements might be frightening the
+creatures, so he tried stealing noiselessly from one place to another;
+but still the result was the same. It was like pursuing some
+will-o’-the-wisp, always within reach but always unattainable.</p>
+
+<p>An hour passed, but David took no note of the fleeting time. A second
+slipped by and a third had started into the abyss that has neither
+beginning nor end, when the persistence and patience of the watcher were
+rewarded. He saw a dark object dart from one branch to another and then
+clearly made out the form of the bird as it sat motionless on its thick
+perch. It was the size of a robin and of a uniform, slaty-black color;
+the latter fact explained why it was so hard to see in the gloom of the
+forest vault.</p>
+
+<p>The bird sat quietly for several minutes while David stirred not a
+muscle. Then it raised its head and poured out the flood of sound that
+had been so baffling to the man.</p>
+
+<p>“I was determined to see it, and I did; but I had no idea I was so long
+about it,” David mused, consulting his watch. “I’ll have to hustle now.
+Let’s see, just where am I?”</p>
+
+<p>He looked around for a moment; the trees on all<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_162">{162}</a></span> sides looked alike. In
+the excitement of his pursuit he had neglected to bend twigs to mark his
+path.</p>
+
+<p>His predicament was amusing, perhaps even a trifle annoying&mdash;nothing
+more. A few precious minutes more would be wasted while he got his
+bearings and he would be just that much later in reaching camp. He did
+not stop to think what would happen when he got there.</p>
+
+<p>“The trail is in this direction and camp is right over there,” he
+thought.</p>
+
+<p>Having reached these conclusions he started away at a rapid pace; and he
+walked longer than he thought he should have to strike the
+trail&mdash;without striking it. But he kept on doggedly until he was forced
+to admit that his guess had been a mistaken one.</p>
+
+<p>He stopped and again calculated carefully just which direction was the
+right one to take; and again a fruitless, tiring walk rewarded his
+efforts. When he tried to get his bearings for the third time he was
+forced to admit to himself that he was hopelessly lost. The sun might
+have been of use in the emergency, but in the forest there was no sun,
+and night was fast approaching.</p>
+
+<p>The first sensation that followed the realization that he was completely
+lost was one of panic. And the first impulse was to dash away
+frantically without heed to direction. However, David remained master of
+himself to the extent that he quelled these feelings; he sat down on a
+convenient log. He would think it over, as calmly as he could, and
+decide what best had be done.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_163">{163}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It came to him clearly now. He had followed the voice of the jungle
+siren without the slightest regard to the direction in which he went. He
+had not the faintest idea how far he had gone. He did not know where his
+old trail or the end of the new one was; perhaps they were many miles
+away. In short, he was just as much lost as ever.</p>
+
+<p>Finally he decided that the best procedure was to walk in gradually
+widening circles; at some time the circumference must bisect a point he
+knew. One direction was as good as another to start with, so he started,
+walking rapidly; and by bearing slightly to the right he was sure his
+steps must cover a circuitous course.</p>
+
+<p>Nightfall found him still at sea as to his whereabouts. He gathered a
+pile of wood, started a fire and then sat down between the blaze and the
+butt of a thick <i>castanha</i> tree. No sleep came to him that night. All
+through the hours of blackness, peopled with invisible forms and strange
+noises, he kept his lonely vigil, straining his ears for the shots or
+calls of the searching party he was sure would be sent for him.</p>
+
+<p>When daylight came there was nothing to do but resume the tramp of the
+day before, for he had been unable to think of a better plan.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately, he came across a giant armadillo digging for grubs in a
+decayed stump, and promptly killed it before the stupid creature
+withdrew its head from the rubbish to discover his presence.</p>
+
+<p>It was a monster of its kind and weighed half a hundredweight. The head,
+body, legs and tail were completely encased in bony armor, and the claws
+it<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_164">{164}</a></span> used in procuring its food would have measured eight inches long.</p>
+
+<p>David built a fire on the spot and soon pieces of the tender white
+flesh, roasted thoroughly, were satisfying the hunger of two days’
+duration. He cooked every morsel, wrapped what he did not eat in leaves,
+and then fastened the pack to his back with strips of bark. It might be
+days before another opportunity to procure food so easily presented
+itself.</p>
+
+<p>When the third day had passed the seriousness of his position came to
+David in an unexpected manner. The thing that caused him to stop
+suddenly while a feeling of terror came over him was the first sign of
+oncoming fever.</p>
+
+<p>That dread scourge of the tropical jungle struck without warning and
+David had read and heard enough about it to recognize it at the first
+onslaught&mdash;a feeling of utter exhaustion, followed by chills that made
+his teeth chatter even though the vegetation, high overhead, was wilting
+in the glare of the brassy sun. His entire body trembled violently as he
+sank in a heap to the ground. After that came a burning fever, so that
+for an hour he tossed in intense agony.</p>
+
+<p>The attack finally subsided, leaving him limp and helpless. After a time
+he gathered enough strength to kindle a fire, beside which he spent a
+miserable night.</p>
+
+<p>Once he sank into a light sleep; he was awakened by the sound of
+shuffling footsteps in the dry leaves. Some large animal was watching
+him, although he could not see it in the darkness. He threw wood on<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_165">{165}</a></span> the
+fire and as the flames leaped up there was a heavy crashing in the
+underbrush as the startled creature dashed away.</p>
+
+<p>The malady returned at increasingly frequent intervals, like some
+insidious enemy sure of its victim but in no undue haste to accomplish
+its vile purpose. David could not bear up under the repeated attacks. At
+the end of a week he was too ill to continue the ceaseless and now
+hopeless tramp that took him nowhere.</p>
+
+<p>His food had given out; and he had no desire to eat even if there had
+been food in abundance. His one thought was of companionship; with
+someone near him the whole frightful experience would not be so hard to
+bear&mdash;even if it came to the worst. But alone, with only the gloomy
+forest and its furtive wild folk about him, it was terrifying. His
+thoughts wandered to far-off things, especially to those he had insisted
+on leaving back at home. Then he remembered his enthusiasm when first he
+had seen the Amazonian jungle from the deck of the steamer. It had
+seemed to challenge him; he remembered that distinctly. “Come if you
+dare,” it had said, “and I will overwhelm you.”</p>
+
+<p>Full of confidence in his own ability he had accepted the bold defiance
+hurled at him by the mystery-enshrouded walls of green. He had lost, but
+he had only himself to blame.</p>
+
+<p>Not a word of complaint escaped his lips. While there was life there was
+hope; he would sleep a while, if possible, or at any rate rest for a
+time. Then he<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_166">{166}</a></span> would take up the fight anew. His head would be clearer
+and some way was bound to occur to him that would get him out of the
+difficulty.</p>
+
+<p>Oblivion came quickly&mdash;too quickly, in fact, to portend anything of a
+wholesome nature; and for an hour he lay quiet as death. He was awakened
+from his stupor by fiery stings in one hand that had been stretched out
+far from his body. He drew it toward him and raised it unsteadily to see
+what was causing the pain. Several large, black ants were clinging to
+it, their vise-like mandibles embedded deeply in his skin. With a great
+effort he tore away the ferocious insects and raised himself on his
+elbows. What he saw caused a cry of horror to escape his lips.</p>
+
+<p>An ant army, the most relentless of all the creatures that infest the
+tropical forest, was approaching. Already the leading files had
+discovered him; some had attacked without delay, while others had
+hurried back to the main column to convey the news of their find.</p>
+
+<p>David summoned all the strength at his command in an effort to rise to
+his feet. But the exertion was in vain, and after several futile
+attempts he knew that escape was impossible. However, he might ward off
+the end if&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>Slowly and laboriously he tried rolling over the ground. It was hard
+work, but finally he succeeded in making a complete turn. A pause for
+rest, then another turn and a distance of nearly three yards had been
+gained on the avalanche of ants that was sweeping towards him. Perhaps
+he could evade the insatiable horde after all; but when he struggled to
+roll<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_167">{167}</a></span> again it seemed that his last chance had vanished, for directly in
+his path was an obstacle he could not surmount in the form of a fallen
+tree that blocked all progress for a distance of fifty feet each way.</p>
+
+<p>The realization that escape was cut off in the one direction that had
+seemed open came as a disheartening shock. He lay back limp and
+helpless; to his ears came the sound of the insects swarming over the
+dry leaves, like the patter of a shower of rain. His brain reeled and
+the blood roared in his veins. In desperation he covered his face with
+his hands.</p>
+
+<p>“Lord,” he prayed, “I’m not blaming anybody but myself for getting into
+this, but if I get out of it I’ll know You helped.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_168">{168}</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV</a><br><br>
+THE RESCUE FROM THE ANT ARMY</h2>
+
+<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">When</span> David failed to return to camp at the usual time little was thought
+of it by those who noticed his absence. It was not until the foreman
+came around on his daily tour of inspection of the smokehouses that
+mention was made of it. It was then past mid-afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>“You, Mariano, go to the <i>dormitorio</i> to see if he is there,” he said.
+“He may be sick.”</p>
+
+<p>Mariano dropped his work and hurried out. Soon he returned.</p>
+
+<p>“He is not there,” he said, “and the cook said he has not come in yet.
+He’s been waiting for him.”</p>
+
+<p>“Wonder what’s keeping him,” the foreman said uneasily. “Did he say
+anything to anybody this morning about going farther than usual?”</p>
+
+<p>A chorus of “No, Senhor,” and “Not to me” came in response to the
+inquiry.</p>
+
+<p>The chief bit his lip.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll be back soon,” he said. “If he comes let me know at once. Don’t go
+away when you are through with your work. I may need all of you.”</p>
+
+<p>A half hour passed and still there was no sign of the missing David. The
+foreman came in&mdash;visibly agitated.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_169">{169}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“Get ready, every last one of you,” he ordered. “Either the boy is lost
+or met with some accident. You must find him. Shout as you go and those
+of you who have guns fire them. Scatter out far and wide over the
+country. Those of you who find or see nothing come back after dark. I
+will pay twenty-five milreis to the man who finds him or brings back the
+first news of him. Now get your bottles; the cook will fill them with
+coffee and give you each a package of food. Then hurry away up the
+trail.”</p>
+
+<p>The men departed immediately to do as they were directed. Not long
+after, they filed into the forest, alert for any sign or clue that would
+be of value to them in looking for the missing man. From time to time
+some of them branched off the main path until they had spread out in a
+fan-shaped formation that combed the forest in a thorough manner so far
+as it went. They kept calling and occasionally there was the report of a
+gun.</p>
+
+<p>Before long, however, they were out of hearing of one another.
+Therefore, it was not until long after dark, when the last man had
+straggled back into camp, that they knew that the search had been
+fruitless.</p>
+
+<p>The new trail that David had started that morning had been discovered,
+but darkness had come before it could be followed to its end; and they
+brought back the empty pail&mdash;nothing more.</p>
+
+<p>The uneasiness of mid-afternoon now gave way to consternation. A hundred
+explanations were forthcoming to account for his disappearance. Everyone
+seemed greatly concerned, but most of all Dom Carlos,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_170">{170}</a></span> the camp foreman.
+From the obscure position of “nobody” David had suddenly risen to be the
+most important person in the outfit. In contrast to the aloofness with
+which he had still been regarded by a few of the men, they now all
+joined in extolling his courage and good qualities and pledged
+themselves that he must be found at all hazards. The monetary reward was
+tripled to give further impetus to their efforts.</p>
+
+<p>Six men were sent out immediately after supper to light fires in the
+jungle and to keep them blazing all night, to serve as beacons in the
+event that the wanderer should be trying to find his way in the
+darkness. They went in pairs and followed widely diverging trails. And
+when they returned at dawn the others who had slept in camp started out,
+this time, however, spreading in all directions to cover so much of the
+country as possible.</p>
+
+<p>Foremost among the searchers was Miguel. He had not fully recovered from
+his encounter with the crocodile; his foot still pained him at times;
+but, thanks to David’s ministrations, he had the use of it to a
+considerable extent. It was he who had found the new trail and had
+followed it until darkness made it impossible to go farther the previous
+evening. He had returned the pail and collected the first reward. And
+now he was determined to take up the search where he had been compelled
+to drop it.</p>
+
+<p>The men had been told to carry food for one day only and to come back
+that night. But the stock of provisions on Miguel’s back was sufficient
+for three<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_171">{171}</a></span> days; and, having no gun, he carried his bow and a dozen
+arrows in his pack.</p>
+
+<p>The grim expression on his face plainly showed that he was determined to
+find David; he owed him a debt of gratitude he could scarcely repay in
+any other manner, but, unfortunately, he had never thought of it in that
+light. What he did think of and looked forward to was a meeting in some
+far-off spot where he would have the opportunity to settle old scores,
+safe from the prying eyes of others.</p>
+
+<p>Alone in the towering forest, with only the silent trees as witnesses,
+it would be easy to dispose of the one obstacle that stood between him
+and complete leadership of the men. Once before, when the opportunity
+had been within his grasp, fate had intervened to rob him of his
+victory; that was when the crocodile had attacked him instead of David
+after the latter had entered the water. Now, he had all the advantage.
+Better for David that he remain forever lost in the forest than be found
+by the vengeful Miguel.</p>
+
+<p>The first day passed rapidly, for a man hunt was a new experience and it
+was a fascinating occupation. He scanned the forest floor, the
+tree-trunks, and the lower growth for any traces that would aid him in
+his search.</p>
+
+<p>On the second afternoon Miguel found the fire where David had roasted
+the armadillo. That encouraged him. He was on the right track. And he
+redoubled his efforts, as does the hound when the scent grows hotter.
+His eyes glowed with a strange fire at the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_172">{172}</a></span> thought that he might at any
+moment catch sight of his quarry.</p>
+
+<p>David had learned the truth of the saying that bad luck is apt to grow
+worse; Miguel had never even heard it, but that did not exempt him from
+its application. What both had yet to learn was that luck, particularly
+bad luck, was only too often the result of some act for which they were
+fully responsible. The beating Miguel had received and the narrowly
+avoided drowning had been bad enough; but worse was to come.</p>
+
+<p>He awoke on the third morning to discover that his remaining food supply
+had disappeared during the night, and the completeness with which it had
+vanished made it evident that a colony of ants had done the work. That
+was exasperating, but there was game to be shot with arrows, so the
+situation was not serious.</p>
+
+<p>After that came the realization that the search was extending over a
+wider territory and greater period of time than he had expected. And he
+began to wonder if he should find David, after all.</p>
+
+<p>It was that night, however, that he felt the merciless judgment of the
+forest in all the impartial rigor which was its law. Those who sought to
+ferret out its secrets must pay the penalty and Miguel was no exception.</p>
+
+<p>It swooped down upon him in the same guise it had assumed when it fell
+upon David, and while his teeth beat a tattoo, or as the hot blood
+coursed throbbingly through his veins, he began to comprehend the
+seri<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_173">{173}</a></span>ousness of the mission on which he had embarked, and to wonder if
+the purpose was worth the cost.</p>
+
+<p>The fever ran its usual course. Miguel wandered about in a dazed
+condition and when there was finally a lull in the onslaught he found
+himself in an unenviable predicament. He too was lost, and for the first
+time in his life.</p>
+
+<p>With that realization came the feeling of utter loneliness. Never before
+had he felt so completely forsaken, so bewildered, so hopeless. He
+longed for the sound of a voice, a glimpse of a friendly face, or the
+touch of a sympathetic hand.</p>
+
+<p>It was terrible, this being lost and alone in the silent, heartless
+jungle that gave no quarter, that knew not the words pity or mercy.
+Gaunt spectres rose on every side; hideous naked Indians pierced him
+through with their poisoned darts; serpents struck with envenomed fangs;
+and jaguars of enormous size crouched behind each tree-trunk for the
+fatal spring.</p>
+
+<p>It had always been thus. It would always be thus. The fever-crazed brain
+of a lone man, lost in the tropical jungle, could conjure pictures
+without end.</p>
+
+<p>As the days passed Miguel’s desperation increased. All thoughts of
+malevolence vanished. If he found David now he would rush to him
+joyfully. It would mean companionship, perhaps even salvation. Anything,
+anyone to banish the horror of a living death alone in the treacherous
+forest.</p>
+
+<p>It was at this point that Miguel heard the twittering of the ant wrens,
+and well he knew what their excited cries meant. They had discovered an
+ant army<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_174">{174}</a></span> on the march and had gathered in numbers to profit by the
+marauders’ depredations.</p>
+
+<p>The sound of their calls, even if they were only birds, came as a
+blessed relief to the man driven frantic by the breathless silence of
+the forest. To see, to be near any living thing, would be infinitely
+better than the dread loneliness. He would go toward the chorus of
+voices that his fever-dulled brain pictured as possible saviors of his
+reason.</p>
+
+<p>Before long he reached the far-flung lines of ants that served as scouts
+on the flanks of the main army. The organization and discipline of the
+insects was as wonderful as it was terrible to the victims, for it
+precluded all possibility of escape.</p>
+
+<p>Miguel stopped to look at the black ribbons flowing over the forest
+floor. Thin lines branched off from the main arteries every few yards;
+these explored each leaf and crevice, ascending even to the tops of the
+tallest trees in their insatiable quest of victims.</p>
+
+<p>In front of the sweeping mass and on both sides was a horde of
+terror-stricken creeping, crawling and hopping creatures making frantic
+efforts to escape from inevitable doom. There were rhinoceros beetles
+with huge antler-like growths on their fore-bodies; centipedes eight
+inches long; scorpions wildly lashing their tails armed with poisonous
+curved stings; great hairy tarantulas, wood frogs, and many other living
+things. Some crawled to the topmost branches of the lower undergrowth of
+ferns and like vegetation and remained there motionless during a brief
+respite; but they were always discovered and routed by the ants. Others
+fled<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_175">{175}</a></span> precipitately up the tree-trunks; and still others came out of
+their hiding-places only to curl up sullenly and to await the end.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the ant army divided. Scouts had in some mysterious manner
+brought back the intelligence of an unusual find and the main column had
+promptly responded with reinforcements. Miguel saw and understood. At
+the same time, the ant birds that had first attracted his attention set
+up a furious chatter. Here was the opportunity to see something of an
+unusual nature.</p>
+
+<p>Miguel crawled upon a great prostrate tree-trunk in order to have a
+better view of what was going on. It was toward this log that the ants
+were rushing in a black sheet. And it was there the birds were scolding
+in anguish.</p>
+
+<p>About the first thing Miguel saw when he attained the top of the log was
+the body of a man lying on the ground as if dead. The hands covered the
+face so that he could not see it, but he recognized the clothing and
+knew that it could belong to none other than David Jones.</p>
+
+<p>“<i>Camarada!</i>” he cried, at the same time dropping down beside the
+motionless figure. “It is I, Miguel, who have found you. <i>Por dios</i>, and
+just in time.”</p>
+
+<p>It required all his depleted strength to raise David to his feet; then
+he took the limp form in his arms and slowly carried it to safety&mdash;out
+of reach of the ravenous horde that sensed the intrusion and sent
+skirmishing lines dashing in all directions in frantic<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_176">{176}</a></span> efforts to
+locate the prize so suddenly snatched from its grasp.</p>
+
+<p>David opened his eyes slowly. When he saw the man who had just deposited
+him on the ground, puffing hard from his exertion, he stared in
+amazement. Then the remembrance of something dreadful came back to him
+in a flash. He weakly raised his arms and placed his hands over his
+face.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, the ants, the ants,” he moaned. “They are all over me. I can feel
+their bites&mdash;they are killing me and&mdash;I can’t get away. I can’t get over
+the log.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, they’re not,” Miguel panted, trying to soothe him. “You are safe
+now. I will not let them get you. Look, there isn’t one on you; they’re
+far away, on the other side of the log, and I’ll carry you farther
+before they come near here.”</p>
+
+<p>“But I can feel them, on my hands and face&mdash;everywhere,” David
+persisted.</p>
+
+<p>“Sh!” Miguel said. “Keep quiet and everything will be all right.”</p>
+
+<p>It was some time before the delirious man could be calmed. But Miguel
+finally succeeded in reassuring him that the danger that had threatened
+was now past, and with the realization that he was safe from the ants
+came a measure of strength.</p>
+
+<p>“I was sure something would happen&mdash;someone would find me before they
+got to me,” David said faintly after a while. Miguel had propped him up
+against the base of a tree while he plucked and prepared to roast a
+<i>mutum</i> that looked like a good-sized turkey; he had just shot the bird
+in the tree right<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_177">{177}</a></span> over their heads. “I never gave up hope and, Miguel,
+I’m glad it was you who found me.”</p>
+
+<p>“Me?” in surprise. “Why did you want me to find you?”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t know. I just wanted it to be you&mdash;maybe just to prove to the
+others that we could be good friends if it came down to rock bottom.”</p>
+
+<p>“Umph!” Miguel’s thoughts were travelling in strange channels. He felt
+queer as he thought of the purpose he had in mind when he started on the
+long search. What if he had found David the first few days after leaving
+camp?</p>
+
+<p>“I’m glad I found you, too, when I did,” he said. “But neither one of us
+has anything much to be glad about.”</p>
+
+<p>“What do you mean? I feel better already. And I’m hungry. We can start
+back tomorrow if I can eat as much of that bird as I think I can. They
+told me that you’re the best bushman in the crowd, so we’ll take a short
+cut back to camp,” David said confidently.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s just it! I didn’t want to tell you right away, but now I can’t
+help it. We can’t start back to camp because&mdash;because&mdash;” Miguel
+hesitated as if reluctant to proceed. “We can’t start back because I’m
+lost, too.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_178">{178}</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV</a><br><br>
+THE CHARGE OF THE INDIANS</h2>
+
+<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">When</span> Miguel admitted that he, too, was lost, the intelligence came as a
+great shock to David. One of his first thoughts upon seeing his rescuer
+was that at last his aimless, heart-breaking wanderings in the forest
+had come to an end. The walk back to camp might be of several days’
+duration, but that did not matter. It made a difference whether one was
+walking in hopeless desperation because there was nothing else to do, or
+whether there was a definite goal to reach and one had the assurance of
+being on the right track. Now they were little better off than before.
+However, he suppressed the bitter disappointment he felt and tried to
+smile.</p>
+
+<p>“How did that happen?” he asked. “I thought you couldn’t lose your way.”</p>
+
+<p>“It was the fever,” Miguel said dejectedly. “Before that I knew where I
+was every minute of the time. Now I can’t remember how I got here or how
+many days I spent wandering around before my head cleared.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, the two of us together ought to find some way of getting
+out&mdash;when I’m able to travel. And it’s better than being all alone.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_179">{179}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“Yes, the lonesomeness nearly drove me crazy. It was terrible. It was
+the one thing I couldn’t stand. Fever, hunger&mdash;anything but that.”</p>
+
+<p>Miguel turned the bird, which had been impaled on a stick, and when it
+had browned to a uniform color on all sides he brought it to the tree
+where David sat and stuck the stick into the ground. They cut off pieces
+of the tender flesh with their knives, but David’s appetite was not
+nearly so good as he had thought, while the absence of salt robbed the
+meat of much of its flavor.</p>
+
+<p>“I could open one of the cartridges in my revolver,” he said, “and use
+the powder for salt; but we might need it more to shoot with before we
+get out of this.”</p>
+
+<p>Miguel agreed that they had better save the ammunition for the purpose
+for which it was intended.</p>
+
+<p>“How do you feel now?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p>“I knew I’d feel better, and I do,” David replied. “But the fever left
+me all wrung out like a wet rag. Wish we had some quinine!”</p>
+
+<p>“Quinine is good, but <i>guanabara</i> is better. The root grows in the
+forest. I hunted for it every day but couldn’t find it. I’ll look again.
+Maybe there is some near here. But first we need a shelter. We have to
+stay here a few days at least. You are too weak to walk far. I’ll build
+a place to sleep first and then I’ll go in search of the medicine.”</p>
+
+<p>David wanted to help in the construction of their shelter, but that, of
+course, was out of the question. Even the sitting posture had tired him
+so much that he slid to the ground, where he lay watching Miguel<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_180">{180}</a></span> as he
+proceeded to erect the structure that was to house them until they
+should resume their wandering.</p>
+
+<p>First he cut stout poles and fastened them to either side of two thick
+trees that stood about ten feet apart, by tying them to the trunks with
+strips of bark. Then he fastened cross-pieces to the poles, thus making
+a platform that was shoulder high above the ground. He piled dry palm
+leaves on this for a bed. After that he fastened two other poles a few
+feet above the platform and covered them with green palm leaves that
+hung down far over the sides, forming a roof.</p>
+
+<p>The work required only a short time and the shelter that had been
+provided was entirely practicable and serviceable. Miguel surveyed it
+proudly as he explained its good points.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s up high enough to be out of reach of snakes, scorpions, spiders
+and most of the mosquitoes; they all like to stay close to the ground.
+And if it should happen to rain, the roof will keep us dry,” he said.</p>
+
+<p>David replied that he thought it was fine and would like to try it. The
+springy platform with the thick layer of dry leaves would be more
+comfortable than the hard ground.</p>
+
+<p>Miguel helped him into the aerial perch and then went to hunt for the
+<i>guanabara</i> root that would cure them both of the fever. He did not
+return until shortly before dark, and then it was only to report
+failure. However, he would go again the following morning.</p>
+
+<p>After the Brazilian, too, had climbed into the platform bed the two lay
+awake and talked far into the night. One plan after another of escape
+from their<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_181">{181}</a></span> predicament was discussed, and finally sleep overtook them
+before anything definite had been decided on.</p>
+
+<p>The next day found both greatly refreshed, although David was still too
+ill to stand without assistance. But the change that had come over
+Miguel was remarkable; he cared for his companion in the best way he
+knew how and was most solicitous for his welfare.</p>
+
+<p>They ate pieces of the bird left from the previous night and then the
+Brazilian again went to look for the medicinal root. This time he was
+successful. He came back shortly before noon and announced his arrival
+with a shout of triumph.</p>
+
+<p>“Here it is at last,” he called as David peered out from under the
+ragged palm-leaf roof. “Look! It is the guanabara. It will cure your
+fever and mine. Thank <i>dios</i>, I found it!”</p>
+
+<p>Miguel held several fleshy roots in his hand. They resembled slender
+sweet potatoes, but were of a bluish color.</p>
+
+<p>“Let me have one,” David said feebly. “I’d eat anything to get rid of
+this awful feeling.”</p>
+
+<p>“Wait! You can’t eat it raw, because it’s deadly poison that way. It has
+to be fixed first. Watch me. Some time you might have to do it when
+you’re alone.”</p>
+
+<p>He laid a broad, green leaf on the ground and then scraped the roots
+with his knife until they had been reduced to a heap of pulp. He took
+the mass in his hands and pressed out the surplus juice, leaving a ball
+of doughy material; this was tossed into the fire and turned with a
+stick until it had baked thoroughly and evenly all around. When it had
+assumed a black color,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_182">{182}</a></span> which was in half an hour, he pronounced it
+ready for use.</p>
+
+<p>Miguel now brought water in a folded leaf and scraped some of the
+medicine into it, and gave it to David to drink. When the particles
+dissolved they turned the water red, but the concoction was tasteless.</p>
+
+<p>They drank the guanabara each hour, and before many doses had been taken
+its effect began to make itself felt. It was bracing, even stimulating,
+and all symptoms of malaria vanished as if by magic. Within two days
+David was able to accompany Miguel on his daily hunt for food.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately, they were now in a section of the country where game was
+not wanting. That indicated that they must be near a large river, for in
+the dry season the animals were always more abundant in a strip several
+miles wide bordering the larger streams.</p>
+
+<p>“We’ll get a good supply of food; then we’ll hunt the river. If we can
+locate it we can get out,” Miguel said as they started on their tramp
+through the forest.</p>
+
+<p>“Will we follow the river?” David asked.</p>
+
+<p>“No. We’ll make a raft out of bamboo and float down.”</p>
+
+<p>“I guess our luck has changed at last. Soon we’ll be back in camp.”</p>
+
+<p>“We have to find the river first. When we have found it, who knows where
+it will take us to? It might take us right back to camp, or many leagues
+away from it.”</p>
+
+<p>Miguel had his bow and a number of arrows. David was following close
+behind him; it was his duty to<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_183">{183}</a></span> mark their trail by snapping twigs as
+they went along. Their shelter was too comfortable to lose so long as
+they remained in the locality.</p>
+
+<p>Before long they came upon a flock of four large black birds feeding in
+the top of a tree. They were like the one Miguel had shot right after
+finding David, and moved about heavily as they fed on the fruits that
+grew on the branches.</p>
+
+<p>The Brazilian took careful aim and released the cord of the bow. There
+was a sharp snap and the arrow sped whining through the air. Just before
+reaching the bird the shaft struck one of the numerous limbs a glancing
+blow; that was sufficient to deflect the missile from its path and it
+passed the mark by a goodly margin and continued its flight up above the
+trees and out of sight.</p>
+
+<p>The birds were not frightened, but continued eating as if they had not
+noticed anything of an unusual nature in their midst. This was
+fortunate, for it permitted Miguel to take a second shot; this time the
+arrow found its mark and a great <i>mutum</i> fell crashing to the ground
+while the other three flew away.</p>
+
+<p>The bird was dead when they reached it. They removed the arrow carefully
+and then went to look for the first one that had been shot and gone
+astray, for they had only a limited number and the time might come when
+every one of them counted.</p>
+
+<p>David thought the task of looking for the slender shaft in the thick
+jungle was hopeless, but Miguel assured him that he had marked its
+course as it soared over the trees.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_184">{184}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“You see,” he added, “each one has a few bright-colored feathers on the
+end in addition to the black ones that make it fly straight.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, I see them. You put them there for ornaments, I know.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, they are not ornaments. They are put there as markers. Look! There
+is the lost one now.”</p>
+
+<p>David saw what looked like a brilliant flower among the deep tints of
+the undergrowth. It was the arrow sticking in the ground where it had
+fallen; the red feather made it conspicuous among the green vegetation.
+They recovered it and replaced it in the pack.</p>
+
+<p>A short time later they were startled by a chorus of “Oh’s” that came
+from the treetops not far ahead. The wails came in a rising crescendo,
+as if their makers were suffering intense pain or were in great fear.</p>
+
+<p>“Flying monkeys,” Miguel announced gleefully as he started on a run
+toward the sound. David followed and soon saw the cause of the
+disturbance in the form of small, grayish bodies hurtling through space
+is if indeed flying.</p>
+
+<p>The monkeys were leaping from tree to tree and swinging through the
+branches at an incredible rate of speed. When they jumped, the boughs
+sprang back into place with a <i>swish</i> and the creatures landed with a
+thud, keeping the treetops bending and swaying as in a heavy wind. All
+the while they shrieked “Oh, oh, oh!” at the top of their voices.</p>
+
+<p>Miguel sent an arrow after the fleeing animals and by a lucky
+circumstance brought down one of them. It was unlike any monkey David
+had ever seen, with<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_185">{185}</a></span> a round head and a body like a very large cat’s.
+The tail was long and bushy.</p>
+
+<p>They returned to the shelter and while the meat was roasting determined
+to start away early the following morning. They agreed that the rubber
+camp must be in a southeasterly direction from their position and they
+would therefore head that way, which was also the direction in which
+they hoped to find the river. It was true, the jungle was heaviest and
+progress would be slower; but, also, game was more abundant, and if they
+discovered the waterway it would save them days of walking in the end.
+If their calculations were correct the stream might even turn out to be
+a branch of the river on which the camp was situated.</p>
+
+<p>The forest changed considerably in character as they advanced through
+it. Palms grew more abundantly than before and occasionally they saw a
+clump of orchids perched high overhead with sprays of gorgeous blossoms
+that drooped from among the leathery foliage like yard-long, brilliant
+plumes.</p>
+
+<p>David had just stopped to look at an exceptional cluster the size of a
+tub and with panicles of deep orange flowers resembling a hundred
+gorgeous butterflies. Miguel stopped at the same time and laid a warning
+finger on his companion’s arm. He was staring straight ahead and,
+looking in that direction, David saw a dark form shaped like a cow
+silently appear from behind a clump of low palms. So soon as it was in
+full view it stopped, turned and faced its back trail, raised its head
+and sniffed the air. It had a very long nose that moved up and down as
+it drew short breaths.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_186">{186}</a></span> Then it turned quickly and faced at right angles
+to its previous position. At about the same time a volley of arrows
+struck the animal with a crash and as it staggered away a chorus of wild
+yells rent the air and a number of Indians rushed into view.</p>
+
+<p>Miguel dropped to the ground the instant the arrows struck the tapir and
+David was not long in following his example. They were just in time and
+for the moment the Indians did not see them.</p>
+
+<p>The stricken animal lurched forward only a few yards before it crumpled
+and fell in a heap, and soon the savages were upon it, dispatching it
+with clubs and spears.</p>
+
+<p>That was the one opportunity that the white men must not lose if they
+hoped to escape with their lives, for in the excitement of the moment
+the Indians would not notice their movements.</p>
+
+<p>Miguel began to crawl stealthily toward a nearby clump of thorny bamboo,
+David following at his heels, and not until they reached the inside of
+the dense growth did they breathe a sigh of relief.</p>
+
+<p>The Indians continued giving their wild calls, as if signalling to other
+members of their party, and before long numbers of them began to come in
+from various directions. They came singly and in groups and still the
+yelling continued.</p>
+
+<p>They were a savage-looking lot, entirely nude save only for necklaces of
+teeth and sticks tufted with feathers that they wore through large
+perforations in their ears. Their brown bodies were painted in irregular
+lines and dots of black, dark blue and red.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_187">{187}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Each carried a bow and a number of arrows in his hands. Some also had
+long-handled spears and sword-like weapons made of tough palmwood.</p>
+
+<p>Several of the savages began to skin and cut up the tapir while others
+went to gather firewood. First, however, each man disposed of his arms
+by sticking them into the ground in a little cluster; that prevented the
+possibility of their being stepped upon and broken.</p>
+
+<p>“They are going to camp here for the night,” Miguel whispered. “We’ll
+have to stay here until they leave.”</p>
+
+<p>“That suits me. We can watch them but they can’t see us,” David replied.
+He was glad of the opportunity of seeing the Indians engaged in their
+pursuits in a natural manner, unconscious of the fact that they were
+being observed.</p>
+
+<p>“We’ll be all right so long as they don’t see us. We have to keep
+absolutely still.”</p>
+
+<p>“Suppose they look in here through the hole by which we came in? Let’s
+close it!” David suggested.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” Miguel agreed. “We must close it or one of them might happen to
+glance in.”</p>
+
+<p>They pulled the thorn-covered branches together, very slowly and
+carefully, until the opening was completely blocked. They were now
+secure from discovery so long as they remained quiet. As he thought of
+this David also thought of the innumerable things that could happen to
+call attention to their hiding-place. Suppose one of them had to cough
+or sneeze; or what if a scorpion, tarantula or snake should creep in to
+dispute their quarters with them? He dared not think further along these
+lines.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_188">{188}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The Indians had started a fire by rubbing together two sticks until they
+glowed, then applying them to dry leaves and blowing the heap into a
+blaze. Then they piled on wood and before long the roaring flames were
+leaping high into the air. The carcass of the tapir had been hacked into
+pieces; some of the chunks of meat were now thrown upon the fire to
+roast.</p>
+
+<p>“They belong to the Parintintin tribe,” Miguel said as he watched them.
+“They are headhunters. They are the ones who attack the rubber camp at
+times. But they haven’t bothered it lately, because they were beaten
+badly in the last fight. But this may be a war party going there again.”</p>
+
+<p>“What made Dom Carlos tell Rice, then, that the Indians were killing all
+the men?” David asked quickly.</p>
+
+<p>Miguel looked confused for a moment. “He, he&mdash;meant others, not these,”
+he stammered.</p>
+
+<p>David gave him a sharp look.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, I see,” he said and resumed watching the antics of the mob before
+him.</p>
+
+<p>“Here is our chance to get more arrows,” David said suddenly. Several of
+the savages had placed their weapons in the ground beside their place of
+concealment. “Do you need any more?”</p>
+
+<p>“No!” Miguel was horror-stricken. “Don’t touch them. They would miss
+them and then find us.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I won’t take any, then, but I’m going to have some fun. Wait
+until it’s dark,” David whispered with a chuckle.</p>
+
+<p>By the time night had fallen some of the meat had<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_189">{189}</a></span> been charred to the
+desired degree and the Indians raked it out with long poles; after it
+had cooled somewhat they tore off strips and began to eat. So soon as
+one chunk was taken from the embers a new one was thrown into them. And
+all the time individuals were coming and going, collecting fuel or
+engaged in other enterprises.</p>
+
+<p>The scene was a weird yet fascinating one. The lithe savages, outlined
+against the glare of the fire; the flickering light playing on their
+bare skin; the dark tree-trunks; and beyond all this the inky blackness
+of night, made a picture never to be forgotten. It was one of those
+things suggested by the sombre, mysterious, silent jungle when viewed
+from the open reaches of a great river, but which was forever veiled to
+those who lacked the trepidity to penetrate into its depths.</p>
+
+<p>The two dared not leave their cover for fear of running into some of the
+prowling savages. But when it seemed that all of them were busily
+engaged in consuming as much of the charred meat as possible David
+worked his way carefully to the edge of the barrier and reaching through
+it removed two arrows from one of the clusters and placed them in
+another one; then he took two from the latter one and inserted them in
+the first group to replace the ones he had taken away. Miguel was badly
+frightened at this action and tried to prevent it.</p>
+
+<p>“I want to see what will happen when they discover the exchange,” David
+whispered. “It can’t do any harm.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_190">{190}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Scarcely had he crawled back to the center of the bamboo screen when
+pandemonium broke loose around the fire.</p>
+
+<p>The group had just been joined by one of the tribesmen, who rushed into
+the circle of light, talking and gesticulating wildly.</p>
+
+<p>“I told you; I told you not to do it,” Miguel gasped in terror. “He saw
+you and he’s telling them about it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Look!” David, too, was trembling. The speaker was pointing their way
+and the others were looking in their direction, as if trying to pierce
+the blackness with their eyes.</p>
+
+<p>In a moment every man was on his feet and rushing toward his bow and
+arrows.</p>
+
+<p>The fire and the food were forgotten. The clamor of voices was stilled.
+Only one thought was uppermost in the mind of each Indian and that was
+to get hold of his weapons before the passing of another second.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_191">{191}</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI</a><br><br>
+THE BATTLE IN THE JUNGLE</h2>
+
+<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> thing that had happened to end the feast of the Parintintins so
+abruptly was that a scout, of which each party always kept numbers on
+its outskirts, had rushed into their midst with news of a startling
+character. He had discovered the approach of a war party of another
+tribe which doubtless had been dogging their steps all day long and were
+now forming for the attack.</p>
+
+<p>Warfare among the tribes of the Amazon is as unceasing as it is
+merciless. Each, in attempts to extend the boundaries of its territory
+or hunting-grounds, looks with suspicion and resentment upon its
+neighbors and by every means known to it tries to exterminate, or at
+least reduce in numbers the populace around it, thereby increasing its
+own measure of safety as well as its food supply.</p>
+
+<p>It may, or it may not have been fortunate for the two cowering in the
+clump of thorny bamboo that the attack came when it did, for in the
+intense excitement that prevailed those of the savages who had time,
+flew to their arms and gathered them up in one swoop; so the interchange
+was not noticed. Then the dusky<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_192">{192}</a></span> forms darted into the darkness that
+surrounded the firelight like an impenetrable wall.</p>
+
+<p>But before the last one had disappeared from view there burst upon the
+silent night a chorus of cries and screams accompanied by the deep beats
+of drums; and at the same instant a deluge of arrows hissed and whined
+through the air in pursuit of the fleeing figures.</p>
+
+<p>The arrows rattled about the clump of bamboo in which the two men were
+hiding. Soon after, a line of howling savages charged out of the
+darkness, flitted through the lighted area and disappeared again in the
+gloom on the other side of the fire.</p>
+
+<p>David drew his revolver and held it ready for action, for the first time
+since Miguel had found him. He had saved the few precious cartridges he
+possessed for the time when it might be necessary to defend their lives
+and that time, he thought, had arrived. But the swarm of Indians swept
+past them all unaware of their presence. How the savages could see in
+the darkness was beyond his ability to explain; but see they did, or
+otherwise they soon should have killed themselves by colliding with the
+trees and many other obstructions in the forest.</p>
+
+<p>The pursuit continued far beyond, as was evidenced by the shouts that
+grew constantly fainter and then died in the distance. The Parintintins
+had been routed completely and many of them had probably perished in the
+unexpected assault; the survivors, doubtless, were scattered hopelessly
+and were either in hiding or fleeing for their lives.</p>
+
+<p>“We’d better get away from here,” David whispered,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_193">{193}</a></span> “but they went right
+in the direction we want to go.”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t be in too big a hurry,” Miguel admonished him. “The forest is
+full of Indians. I know them. There are some of them right around us
+here. We can’t leave until we’re sure all have gone.”</p>
+
+<p>The wisdom of his words was demonstrated a moment later, when a shadowy
+form flitted out of the night and made for one of the clusters of arrows
+that had been deserted when the charge came. He had hardly reached the
+spot when there came the snarl of an arrow, followed by a dull thud, and
+the Indian pitched headlong to the ground.</p>
+
+<p>It was as Miguel had said. Unseen eyes were watching the fire in
+anticipation of the return of some of the routed savages for their
+effects. But greatly to the relief of the onlookers, no others came.</p>
+
+<p>After an hour’s nerve-racking silence the crackling of twigs told of the
+return of the victorious party and presently the vanguard, in small
+groups, came into view. They were talking and gesticulating wildly; then
+half a dozen others who had acted as sentinels around the fire joined
+them. Soon more came until there must have been over a hundred.</p>
+
+<p>They piled wood on the fire until they had a blaze roaring toward the
+tree tops, while a train of sparks, like miniature comets, soared high
+above the forest. That served as a signal to announce victory, and after
+a short time a group of women and children appeared out of the jungle
+and joined the warriors. The women carried baskets on their backs; they
+were filled with calabashes, and packages wrapped in green leaves.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_194">{194}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>When all had arrived the celebration of the victory began. The remainder
+of the tapir was placed in the fire to roast; bundles were unwrapped,
+revealing quantities of fish, Brazil nuts, cassava bread and corn.</p>
+
+<p>The women took full charge of preparing the food, the men spending the
+time in animated conversation and argument.</p>
+
+<p>When the meat was roasted they all sat around the fire and ate. Water
+had been brought in some of the calabashes from which they frequently
+took long drinks.</p>
+
+<p>The two watchers began to think that the eating would last all night
+when one of the Indians sprang to his feet and began to gesticulate with
+his arms. He went through the performance of pursuing and slaying an
+enemy in such a graphic way that they could not fail to understand his
+meaning. When he finished another jumped up and went through a similar
+pantomime; and after him, another and then another until each of the
+warriors had demonstrated just how he had dealt with at least one
+Parintintin.</p>
+
+<p>David felt that if the Indians were telling the truth it had gone hard
+indeed with the pursued; but he suspected that most of the versions were
+given merely for the dramatic effect, because the victors outnumbered
+the vanquished two to one.</p>
+
+<p>When the last speaker had finished the men started a dance around the
+fire, while the women and children withdrew into the background to
+watch. Some of the dancers picked up empty calabashes and beat them like
+drums. All of them shouted at the top of their<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_195">{195}</a></span> voices as they leaped
+about the blaze, the ruddy light reflected in flickering patches on
+their bare, brown bodies.</p>
+
+<p>Day was breaking when the assemblage gradually broke up into small
+groups that lay down on the ground to sleep. Only two of the men
+remained awake near the now rapidly dying fire, apparently for the
+purpose of warning the sleepers if there should be a surprise attack.</p>
+
+<p>David and Miguel were in an unenviable predicament. Their limbs ached
+from long remaining in their cramped quarters in the bamboo clump. They
+could not move about and they dared not go to sleep. The faintest
+rustling noise, the slightest movement might arouse the Indians and
+cause an investigation. And they knew what discovery would mean.</p>
+
+<p>It was noon when the first of the sleepers began to stir and within a
+few minutes the whole party was moving about. Their actions were now in
+great contrast to those of the early morning. They seemed in a hurry to
+get away.</p>
+
+<p>The men collected their bows and arrows and the women packed the
+remnants of food and the calabashes into their baskets. Then the whole
+party vanished in the forest, heading in the direction in which the
+Parintintins had fled.</p>
+
+<p>“I thought they were going to stay forever.” David sighed with relief.
+“Now I can stretch my legs. I’m asleep all over, except my head.”</p>
+
+<p>“Roll over a few times,” Miguel advised, “and you’ll feel better.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_196">{196}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>They both did this for a few moments and then crawled out into the open.
+Once on their feet, they lost no time in leaving the locality.</p>
+
+<p>After walking rapidly for an hour, Miguel, who was in the lead, stopped
+suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>“Listen,” he said, raising one hand.</p>
+
+<p>David stopped and listened intently.</p>
+
+<p>“I hear a faint noise, like a breeze in the tree-tops,” he said.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes. That’s it. But it’s not wind, it’s water.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, it is water. I can hear it better now. It must be a big river.”</p>
+
+<p>“With a high fall in it. Only a great waterfall could make such a
+noise.”</p>
+
+<p>“What will we do?” David asked.</p>
+
+<p>“Go to it. It’s just what we want. We’ll make a raft and drift down with
+the current.” Miguel’s dark face lighted up with enthusiasm. “It will be
+easier than having to walk.”</p>
+
+<p>“First, let’s eat. I’m almost starved,” David suggested.</p>
+
+<p>“Me, too. But I’m afraid to start a fire. Better wait until we get to
+the river,” Miguel said apprehensively. “There can’t be too much
+distance between the Indians and us to suit me.”</p>
+
+<p>They tramped on. David was now trailbreaker. They took turns at this for
+the vegetation was growing heavier constantly and the leader had to use
+his knife frequently to cut through the sprouts and creepers that
+disputed their way.</p>
+
+<p>It was after cutting a path through one of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_197">{197}</a></span> thickets that David
+caught sight of some living creature disappearing among the dense
+growth. He did not know what it was, for the glimpse had been a fleeting
+one, so he stopped to tell Miguel, but before he had finished the
+sentence an arrow tore its way through the leaves a few inches on one
+side of them.</p>
+
+<p>They needed no further proof to tell them that the vanishing form had
+been that of an Indian. Dashing back over their trail they fled in a
+wide detour of the spot and then advanced more cautiously. There was no
+question but that the savage would take up the pursuit. And a long,
+quavering note like that of a forest dove that reached their ears was a
+signal to other Indians who must be in the neighborhood.</p>
+
+<p>A second call, low and plaintive, came in answer to the first. It was
+directly in front of them. They dropped into the shadow between two
+buttressed roots of a giant tree just in time to see two nude savages
+appear and make their way stealthily toward the spot from which the
+first one had signalled.</p>
+
+<p>“The forest is full of Indians,” Miguel whispered when they had
+disappeared. “They are calling one another for a discussion. Then they
+will try to catch us.”</p>
+
+<p>“Let’s go, then. The bigger the start we have the harder it will be for
+them to find us,” David panted. “If we stay here they’re sure to catch
+us.”</p>
+
+<p>“The river! The river!” Miguel whispered. “We must get to the river.
+Come on.”</p>
+
+<p>They darted away at a rapid pace, making toward the roaring sound that
+was rapidly growing louder.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_198">{198}</a></span> The going was terrible. Instead of stopping
+to use the knife in clearing a path as before, they crashed through the
+dense clumps of dwarf bamboo, matted ferns and thick sprouts. The sharp
+thorns covering some of the growths slashed their clothing into ribbons
+and tore into their flesh; and more than once they fell to the ground
+when creepers, like steel wires, encircled their feet and tripped them.</p>
+
+<p>The cooing voices of the Indians were not far behind them. Occasionally
+they heard the breaking of branches and the swishing of the leaves where
+the pursuing savages fought their way through the jungle. It was
+fortunate that the vegetation was so dense that they could not be seen
+and thus afford easy targets for the arrows of the forest men.</p>
+
+<p>“It can’t be far now,” Miguel said encouragingly. The roar of the water
+had become so loud that he was compelled to shout to make himself heard.</p>
+
+<p>David was too breathless from his exertions to talk, so he nodded his
+head in assent. They could not hear their pursuers now, but there was no
+doubt about their being hot on the trail, which they would not leave
+until the fugitives had been overtaken.</p>
+
+<p>At last the two fought their way through the last living wall of green
+and stood on the brink of the river. They were a sorry sight, bleeding
+from numerous cuts and bruises, their clothing in shreds, and on the
+point of exhaustion.</p>
+
+<p>Before them lay a deep gorge through which the river, of considerable
+size, rushed over a bed littered with huge boulders. There was no
+crossing the<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_199">{199}</a></span> stream; even a boat would have been short-lived in the
+maelstrom that hissed and boiled a hundred feet below them.</p>
+
+<p>They took in the situation at a glance, and it seemed as if they were in
+a worse dilemma than before. The Indians were approaching on one side,
+cutting off retreat, and the river prevented further flight in that
+direction.</p>
+
+<p>There was no time to ponder the situation. Miguel peered over the
+embankment. Then, beckoning to David to follow, he slid over the edge,
+held to it for a moment and let go.</p>
+
+<p>David looked down just in time to see his companion stop against a flat
+rock twenty feet below and in a moment he had landed by his side. Then
+followed a second drop into a clump of bushes; it was higher than the
+first but the springy boughs broke the force of the fall.</p>
+
+<p>The remainder of the descent was easier. There was a slant to the wall
+down which they slid to the rocks on the very edge of the water.</p>
+
+<p>A hasty survey of the situation showed that the sides of the gorge
+up-stream were the more precipitous; and the pathway on the margin of
+the seething flood was safer, so they started in that direction,
+clambering over the slippery boulders where a misstep meant a plunge
+into the water below. What they sought was a place where it would be
+impossible to be seen from above, and when this had been attained they
+stopped to rest.</p>
+
+<p>Ahead of them was the marvellous spectacle of a<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_200">{200}</a></span> cataract dashing over a
+series of steplike rocks and ending in a sheer fall ten feet or more in
+height.</p>
+
+<p>The prospect was discouraging in spite of momentary safety. If they
+should turn downstream they would become easy marks for the Indians, who
+must have reached the brink of the gorge by that time; up-stream was the
+wall of roaring water, but toward it they went.</p>
+
+<p>“Come,” David shouted to Miguel, who was close at his heels. “I want to
+see the falls and&mdash;and&mdash;what’s under them.”</p>
+
+<p>Miguel did not understand the meaning of the words but when they were
+abreast of the curtain of water he saw the facts at a glance.</p>
+
+<p>The falling body of crystal liquid did not, of course, hug closely the
+stone wall over which it rushed. The momentum of the water was so great
+that it carried it clear of the ledge a distance of several feet. It was
+just as David had expected, provided&mdash;&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>He crawled close to the edge of the fall and then gave a shout that
+Miguel heard even above the rumble that was all but deafening.</p>
+
+<p>At the base of any cataract one may find either of two things: a deep
+pool of whirling water or a mass of shattered rock fragments that has
+broken off the ledge above and lodged against the base of the wall. The
+latter is what David hoped to find and it is what he found.</p>
+
+<p>A ridge of splintered rock stretched from the edge of the water into the
+mist so far under the fall as they<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_201">{201}</a></span> could see. If it continued,
+unbroken, to the other side, it would afford a means of crossing the
+stream.</p>
+
+<p>David ventured gingerly onto the jagged pathway. The stones were cold
+and wet and he had to crawl on hands and knees as there was not headroom
+to stand. So soon as he was well under way Miguel followed.</p>
+
+<p>It was a terrifying experience, justified only by a desperate situation.
+The sheet of clear water, streaked with green, shot over the crouching
+men with a thunderous roar, intensified by the cavity in which they
+found themselves. A cold mist saturated their ragged clothing and
+chilled them through; also, the vapor soon shut off their view in the
+direction from which they had come, enveloping them in a clammy fog that
+shut out the daylight. Swallows left their nests that had been plastered
+against the face of the wall and dashed away in the gloom with
+frightened twitters. Below, the water raged and boiled and tongues
+crested with foam leaped angrily toward the men as if trying to drag
+them into the cauldron below.</p>
+
+<p>Once David faltered; it seemed he could go no farther. But there was
+Miguel in back of him. He could not retreat and in so doing display a
+lack of courage before his companion. Hope for them lay in one direction
+only and that was straight ahead, even if at the same time it seemed to
+promise certain disaster.</p>
+
+<p>After what seemed like ages the gray twilight in front of them
+brightened and a strong wind fanned the face of the foremost man. The
+end of the perilous journey was in sight. And soon they had emerged<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_202">{202}</a></span>
+from under the river and stood on the rocks that flanked the side,
+drenched, cold and shivering.</p>
+
+<p>“Thank heaven, we got through that all right,” David said between
+chattering teeth. “Do you think the Indians will follow?”</p>
+
+<p>“They would if they knew where we went. We have to keep out of sight,”
+Miguel replied. “But they wouldn’t come under the fall; they would go
+downstream and cross.”</p>
+
+<p>The two were compelled to remain in their present position until
+darkness came, screened from view of those on the other side by the
+clouds of mist that rose from the fall. They had an occasional glimpse,
+however, of the high bluff across the stream; it was dotted with the
+nude, brown forms of the savages, boldly outlined against the deep green
+vegetation.</p>
+
+<p>They selected a route that appeared climbable and when darkness had
+fallen, clambered to the top. From this position directly across the
+gorge they saw waving, flickering lights like huge fireflies weaving in
+and out among the trees far up and down the river; the Indians had
+lighted torches. They were mystified by the disappearance of the white
+men. But the search was still on and there was not the slightest
+indication that they had any intention of abandoning it.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_203">{203}</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII</a><br><br>
+THE TERROR OF THE ISLAND</h2>
+
+<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">David</span> and Miguel spent the night in the thick growth into which they had
+fought their way upon the coming of darkness. Their narrow escape from
+the savages; the long vigil in the bamboo clump; the day and two nights
+without food; and the uncertainty of their present plight, all combined
+to bring about a state of exhaustion that should have induced sleep so
+soon as they became convinced that the pursuit was not likely to extend
+to their side of the river.</p>
+
+<p>Sleep, however, did not come. The night was cold; it was the first
+warning of the coming change of seasons and the two men were numb long
+before the sun rose to dispel the chill gloom that had enveloped them.</p>
+
+<p>Daylight showed their surroundings to be not materially different from
+the ones they had just left on the other side of the river. There were
+the same kinds of trees, the same matted, thorny undergrowth; but the
+tangle was even denser&mdash;more nearly impenetrable.</p>
+
+<p>“Let’s start a fire,” David said, shaking and trembling with the cold.</p>
+
+<p>“No,” Miguel answered. His teeth, too, were rat<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_204">{204}</a></span>tling. “Not here, on
+account of the smoke; the Indians would see it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Indians or no Indians, I’m freezing,” David protested.</p>
+
+<p>“We’ll start walking right away. That will warm us up. The sun is coming
+up, too. Soon it will be hot.”</p>
+
+<p>They began to battle their way through the thickets and before long were
+perspiring from their exertions. The growth was generally so difficult
+to penetrate that they made slow progress.</p>
+
+<p>In one of the more open places they came upon a pair of large forest
+partridges; they were nearly the size of hens. Also they were stupid
+birds, and after Miguel had shot one of them the other remained looking
+at the men in curiosity, until a second arrow added it to their bag.</p>
+
+<p>“We ought to be far below the fall now,” David suggested. “Let’s go to
+the water; it might be easier walking. We can look across first to see
+if the Indians have come down this far.”</p>
+
+<p>Miguel offered no objection, so they made their way to the edge of the
+stream. They waited in hiding for some time but saw no sign of the
+savages. Far up the river, however, a cloud of smoke was ascending high
+above the treetops. The brown men of the forest had started fires in the
+hope of driving them out of their place of concealment.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s all right,” Miguel said, gazing intently at the smoke. “They’re
+still over there looking for us. They<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_205">{205}</a></span> think we climbed a tree and are
+trying to smoke us out. We can go on.”</p>
+
+<p>The abrupt walls of the gorge on their side of the river were breaking
+down rapidly; on the other side they still towered high above the
+turbulent water.</p>
+
+<p>Stone and sand terraces replaced the thick jungle from which they had
+just emerged. But the thing that puzzled them was that the land seemed
+to end in a point just ahead. There appeared to be water in front and on
+both sides of them.</p>
+
+<p>Each looked at the other in silent apprehension, but not a word was
+spoken. They hastened down the open strip of land to its termination and
+then their fears were verified.</p>
+
+<p>A roaring rapid surged past on each side and met in front to form one
+broad, even more treacherous stream that sped away below. They were on
+an island. With this realization came also the knowledge that there was
+no escape from their present position, for no raft could long survive in
+the maelstrom that surrounded them.</p>
+
+<p>They could return to the mainland, it is true, by way of the precarious
+path under the fall; but there were the Indians to be considered, who
+would not give up the search for days, perhaps, even knowing where the
+fugitives had gone and fully aware of the fact that they had to come
+back the same way or remain marooned on the island.</p>
+
+<p>“Let’s cook the birds and eat,” David suggested. “I’m almost starved.”</p>
+
+<p>“The same here,” Miguel assented. “Then we’ll<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_206">{206}</a></span> sleep. I can’t think now.
+Nothing we can do will make the fix we’re in any worse. So let’s eat and
+sleep. Tomorrow is another day.”</p>
+
+<p>And when the sun was high in the heavens on the following day they awoke
+much refreshed. They followed the riverbank, going up-stream on the far
+side of the island, for it had occurred to them that they might not be
+stranded after all. The channel they had discovered was perhaps another
+river instead of a branch of the one they had crossed.</p>
+
+<p>They walked close to the bank, for there the ground was open. When they
+had gone less than a mile, farther progress was blocked; they had
+reached the head of what was, after all, an island.</p>
+
+<p>“It <i>is</i> an island, all right,” David said. “See where the stream
+divides and one side is as bad as the other.”</p>
+
+<p>“We have to get off somehow,” Miguel returned, “because we can’t use a
+raft in that water. We have to reach the mainland and then walk down
+below the rapids. But how are we going to do it?”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll tell you,” David proposed; “how about crossing under the fall at
+night and slipping down the gorge. We can travel after dark and hide in
+the daytime until we’re too far away for the Indians to follow.”</p>
+
+<p>Miguel, while not enthusiastic over the plan, could offer no other to
+take its place, so they made their way to the other side to have a good
+view of the lay of the land and to form their plans accordingly.</p>
+
+<p>There were now no Indians in sight on the opposite bank, nor were there
+any signs of their presence.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_207">{207}</a></span> Therefore, they clambered down the side of
+the bluff to the edge of the waterfall.</p>
+
+<p>The water had fallen a great deal since they had come across. Instead of
+the thick stream shooting far out over the ledge, there was now a
+greatly reduced volume, so that it fell in a cascade that closely hugged
+the rock wall. The passage underneath the fall was closed. Their one
+avenue of escape to the mainland was blocked.</p>
+
+<p>“There’s only one thing to do,” Miguel said in disgust, “and that is to
+make ourselves as comfortable as possible until we can think of some way
+to get off the island or until something unexpected happens.”</p>
+
+<p>David agreed that there was no other course to pursue, and the lower end
+of the island being the more open, they decided to make camp there. They
+cleared a small space in the edge of the jungle, cut four saplings for
+corner-posts and built a rather substantial shelter, covered with a
+layer of palm-leaves on top and on all four sides, leaving only one
+opening for a doorway. Bunks were arranged along the walls and a
+fireplace built in front, of stones brought up from the riverbank.</p>
+
+<p>The domicile was designedly of sturdy construction for they did not know
+how long they would be compelled to occupy it.</p>
+
+<p>Then followed two days devoted to a thorough exploration of the island.
+It was small, not over three-quarters of a mile long, and less than a
+third as wide. Birds of many species were abundant and there was no
+difficulty in procuring all the meat that was<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_208">{208}</a></span> needed. But there were no
+mammals of any size; if there had been monkeys in the tree-tops, or
+deer, tapirs or peccaries in the forest they soon should have found
+them, or at least seen traces of their presence. The turbulent character
+of the water surrounding them accounted for this. The birds, of course,
+could fly across, but no mammal could swim across the barrier of
+agitated water.</p>
+
+<p>On the second night after they had built the hut, David awoke with a
+start. The awakening was so sudden that he felt there must be a reason
+for it, although there was not a sound upon the still, cool air.
+However, a disagreeable odor filled the room. He lay quietly for some
+minutes with the uncanny feeling that he was being watched by some
+living creature and that, too, from no great distance.</p>
+
+<p>David knew that the best policy under such circumstances, was to remain
+perfectly motionless. A sudden move might invite attack.</p>
+
+<p>As he waited, wondering what could be the cause of his presentiment,
+Miguel suddenly sat up.</p>
+
+<p>“I can’t stand it any longer,” he cried. “There’s&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>The sentence remained unfinished. His words were drowned by a rustling,
+creaking noise and the hut shook as if about to collapse. A moment later
+they heard the sound of a heavy body rushing away through the jungle.</p>
+
+<p>“Good heavens,” David exclaimed in consternation. “What can it be? There
+are no animals on the island. Let’s start a fire.”</p>
+
+<p>Miguel was so frightened he could hardly move.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_209">{209}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“I don’t know,” he whispered, “unless it is the evil one himself.”</p>
+
+<p>“It was something a lot more real than that. But what?” David replied.</p>
+
+<p>They started a fire and remained near it the remainder of the night,
+discussing their strange visitor, but reaching no conclusion as to what
+it could have been.</p>
+
+<p>Daylight revealed the fact that their shelter had been badly battered.
+They searched the ground for foot-prints but found none. There was not
+the slightest clue to give any intimation of the solution of the
+mystery.</p>
+
+<p>After a hasty breakfast, they started on a systematic search of the
+island, cutting a number of straight trails across from one side to the
+other, but still they found not the least sign of the presence of an
+animal of any kind. However, Miguel did discover a species of palm, the
+large terminal bud of which was delicious eaten raw, and another kind of
+the same trees which gave quantities of white sap or milk of fine
+flavor; they had only to tap it in the fashion of a rubber tree. These
+two articles were a most welcome addition to their food supply of meat
+that had begun to pall. Also, they provided the vegetable matter so
+necessary to their well-being.</p>
+
+<p>That night the men took turns in watching throughout the hours of
+darkness, but the nocturnal prowler did not return. They supposed,
+therefore, that they had frightened the creature away, whatever it
+could<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_210">{210}</a></span> have been, and this thought afforded them a measure of relief.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll tell you what we could do,” David said the following morning. “We
+could get material together for a raft and start to build it. It will
+keep us occupied and perhaps we can make one strong enough to run the
+rapids without breaking apart.”</p>
+
+<p>Miguel shook his head. “Impossible,” he said. “No raft or boat of any
+kind could do it. Look at the rocks; look at the whirlpools; look at the
+swift current. There might even be more falls below. But we can make one
+anyway. It will keep us busy, and&mdash;say, I just thought of something. In
+the rainy season, when the water is high, there won’t be any rapids, or
+at least they will be only very mild, and we could use the raft then.”</p>
+
+<p>David could have shouted for joy. Now that Miguel had mentioned it, he,
+too, realized that higher water would cover the rocks and obliterate the
+narrow, angry channels between them as well as blot out the whirlpools.</p>
+
+<p>They lost no time in starting to collect material for their craft.
+First, they selected a clump of tall, feathery bamboo near the water’s
+edge and began to cut down the stems. Each pole was upward of forty feet
+long and six inches thick; and, as the joints of which they were
+composed were filled with water, they had to tap each one to permit the
+liquid to drain; otherwise they would be too heavy to float. The
+afternoon was half over when they began the latter task.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_211">{211}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“How about getting something for supper?” David asked. “This job makes
+me feel as if I could eat a dozen partridges.”</p>
+
+<p>“And me,” Miguel agreed, “and a few palm buds and a <i>liter</i> of milk,
+too.”</p>
+
+<p>The two started away, stealthily following one of the narrow trails they
+had made and had no difficulty in securing a number of the stupid
+tinamou that were so plentiful. To collect the palm buds and milk
+required a greater length of time, and darkness had fallen when they
+retraced their steps to camp. However, a full moon, high in the heavens,
+sent soft shafts of light through the branches overhead, where the
+jungle was less dense; and when they reached the edge of the forest
+where their camp was located, a flood of silvery moonlight met their
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p>“Santo Paulo! Our house is gone!” It was Miguel’s voice, filled with
+consternation. He was in the lead and had stopped suddenly, hands raised
+in horror at the unexpected sight.</p>
+
+<p>“Gone?” David pushed forward, incredulous that such a thing could have
+happened. “It can’t be gone because there was no wind to blow it away.”</p>
+
+<p>“But it <i>is</i> gone. Look! Where is it?” Miguel was still standing where
+he had stopped.</p>
+
+<p>“We must be in the wrong place, but, no, this is the spot.” David was
+puzzled. He approached cautiously.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s been broken down to the ground,” he exclaimed. “Somebody or
+something has been here while we were away.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_212">{212}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>They dared not advance into the clearing where the shelter had stood
+because there was the possibility that their marauding visitor was in
+the neighborhood, awaiting their return. But from their position they
+could see that the structure had been crushed to the earth and
+completely wrecked, as if by men or some gigantic animal.</p>
+
+<p>After watching a while they returned to the heavier forest to spend the
+night.</p>
+
+<p>“I told you it was a spirit,” Miguel insisted, “when it visited us that
+first night. Now do you believe it?”</p>
+
+<p>“No, I don’t.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then what is it?”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t know, but we’ll find out.”</p>
+
+<p>They rebuilt the hut on the same spot. The island was so small that one
+place was as good as another and the old location possessed the
+advantage of having been cleared of underbrush.</p>
+
+<p>The remainder of the day had been spent collecting material for the
+raft. After the water had drained out of the bamboo poles the holes had
+to be sealed with gum taken from trees. After that the light, buoyant
+stems had to be fastened together to form the raft and having no nails
+it was necessary to tie them together. Only one material was available
+for the purpose and that was bark.</p>
+
+<p>They gathered armfuls of the long, shaggy fiber that hung like a fringe
+from the trunks of the <i>chiqui-chiqui</i> palms and placed them in a heap
+near the hut. By the time sufficient of the material had been collected
+it was too late to begin braiding it into ropes.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_213">{213}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>After a supper of the usual fare the two concealed themselves in the
+edge of the forest to watch for the possible return of their unwelcome
+visitor.</p>
+
+<p>Hour after hour passed, but there was no disturbance of any kind. It was
+evident that they were not to be molested that night, so they returned
+to the shelter.</p>
+
+<p>No sooner had Miguel entered the doorway than he gave a shriek and
+darted out again. He staggered a few steps and fell headlong to the
+ground.</p>
+
+<p>David picked up the limp form of his companion and carried it toward the
+open beach, but the man recovered and struggled to his feet.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh!” he gasped. “It’s in there now. It almost got me.”</p>
+
+<p>David tried to find out what it was Miguel had seen, but the latter
+talked incoherently so that it was impossible to make out the meaning of
+his words. He thought that his companion was greatly exaggerating the
+truth; perhaps he had seen nothing at all and had merely imagined the
+presence of some weird being conjured by his superstitious mind. He
+would decide the matter by going to see for himself. To strengthen the
+latter conclusion, nothing had come out of the hut and there was no
+sound within.</p>
+
+<p>David drew his revolver and held it in readiness for instant action.
+Then he lighted a bunch of the palm fiber and holding it aloft, went
+slowly toward the structure.</p>
+
+<p>When he reached the doorway he thrust the flaming torch in first and
+raised it above his head. The glare<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_214">{214}</a></span> lighted up the interior of the
+small room, but for a moment only.</p>
+
+<p>David stood paralyzed in his tracks when he saw the thing that had
+invaded their domicile. From the center of the palm-leaf thatch that
+formed the ceiling and drooping almost to the ground were the head and
+part of the body of an enormous snake. It hung suspended in space, as
+motionless as if carved out of variegated marble. As he looked in
+horror, the great reptile raised its massive head slowly, at the same
+time drawing it back like a bent spring, as if to strike. Its beady eyes
+were fixed on those of the man and the forked tongue moved rapidly in
+and out of its mouth. As it did this it emitted a long hiss that sounded
+like a jet of escaping steam.</p>
+
+<p>David recovered his senses in a flash. He would have to act quickly. If
+the reptile’s head shot forward it would knock him down like the blow of
+a battering ram.</p>
+
+<p>Without moving the flaming torch, he raised his right hand slowly and
+took careful aim at the great head not two yards away, his finger
+tightening on the trigger until the slightest further pressure would
+cause its release. Then came a flash and a deafening crack. He dropped
+the blazing fagot and ran out upon the open bank where Miguel was
+sitting, still too dazed for speech.</p>
+
+<p>When he stopped he became aware of a thrashing noise, coming from the
+direction of the hut; then the entire structure fell with a crash&mdash;on
+top of the bunch of palm fiber now flickering its last.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_215">{215}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Soon little tongues of fire leaped up, lapping eagerly at the dry leaves
+of which their shelter had been composed. In a moment the entire heap
+was a mass of flames that lighted up the scene as bright as day. And in
+the midst of the conflagration he saw the writhing, lashing coils of the
+giant serpent that did not cease their movements, even after the fire
+had died down to a pile of feebly glowing embers.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_216">{216}</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII</a><br><br>
+WHEN THE WATER RAN HIGH</h2>
+
+<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">The</span> two men had watched the burning of their hut until the last
+flickering blaze had died; Miguel as in a trance, and David spellbound
+by the sight. The loss of their abode, while causing them some
+inconvenience, was not a calamity, for they easily could build another.
+The visits of the great snake, however, was another matter.</p>
+
+<p>“The <i>sucurujú</i> never lives alone,” Miguel said finally when he had
+recovered from the shock of his experience. They were watching the huge
+coils writhe in the glowing embers.</p>
+
+<p>“What do you mean?” David asked.</p>
+
+<p>“There are always a pair together. When one goes out and remains away
+any length of time the other one goes to look for it. And if you kill
+one of them, the other will follow you until it has avenged its mate.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then you think there is another snake around here?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” Miguel said. “We had better not stay at this end of the island
+tonight.”</p>
+
+<p>“The thing that puzzles me, is where did this monster come from?” David
+said. “I can understand now why the creature that visited our hut did
+not<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_217">{217}</a></span> leave tracks, but I don’t see how we could have overlooked it in
+walking about the island. It is so big we couldn’t have missed it unless
+it lived in a cave, and&mdash;there are no caves.”</p>
+
+<p>“Anacondas live in holes in the riverbank,” Miguel explained. “That’s
+why we didn’t see this one. It came up from the water while we were
+watching in the forest. And the other is liable to be along any minute,
+so we had better go.”</p>
+
+<p>Early the next morning they went back to the ruins of their hut to
+inspect the snake. They found it, a mound of shimmering color, near the
+pile of ashes and it was, of course, dead. David’s shot had struck it
+fairly in the head. It was of a greenish brown color with small black
+spots and mottlings on its back. When, after a good deal of tugging they
+succeeded in straightening it on the ground and paced the distance from
+head to tail, they found that it was in the neighborhood of thirty-two
+feet long. The weight, they estimated, was not less than three hundred
+pounds, for it had a girth of over two feet in the thickest part of its
+body and was very heavy.</p>
+
+<p>“I wish we could save the skin,” David said, regretfully, “but we can’t
+cure it and it’s too cumbersome to carry.”</p>
+
+<p>Miguel tried to lessen his disappointment. “It’s all scorched and burned
+anyway. I’m glad it didn’t get us; it could have crushed us into jelly
+in a moment.”</p>
+
+<p>“What about the other one?” David asked.</p>
+
+<p>The Brazilian looked around uneasily.</p>
+
+<p>“Let’s get busy on the raft,” he said. “One snake is<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_218">{218}</a></span> enough for me. We
+might not be so lucky another time.”</p>
+
+<p>It required two more days to complete the raft. They rolled and pushed
+the bamboo poles to the very edge of the water and then began the work
+of constructing their craft. First they spread a layer of the bamboos on
+the ground; then they bound them together securely with the fiber rope,
+weaving the cables back and forth, until they had what resembled a huge
+mat. Upon this they placed a second layer across the first and fastened
+it into place. A third was carefully tied on top of this and after that
+a fourth.</p>
+
+<p>The raft was two feet thick when it was finished. It had a length of
+twenty feet and a width of eight; they felt sure that it was ample to
+carry their weight without submerging to the level of the water. When it
+was finished they cut stout poles and using them as levers, pried it
+into the stream, and tied it with one of the ropes.</p>
+
+<p>“The water is rising,” Miguel announced joyfully. “If it keeps up until
+morning we can start.”</p>
+
+<p>David looked down the angry stretch in front of them. Many of the rocks
+that had protruded above the surface were now submerged. Patches of
+rolling, oily-looking water marked the spots where they were concealed.
+On a whole, the river was still a swirling, roaring flood that only the
+direst necessity could induce anyone to navigate. But there must be no
+hesitation, no delay. A single day lost might mean the falling of<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_219">{219}</a></span> the
+water and the restoration of the cataracts to their former fury.</p>
+
+<p>These thoughts came to both men as they surveyed the craft upon the
+behavior of which their lives depended, and then gazed at the stream to
+whose whims they would be exposed before the passing of many hours. And
+the same thoughts recurred to them more forcibly the next morning, when
+they hastened to the water’s edge with a feeling of eagerness tempered
+with many misgivings. The raft was gone.</p>
+
+<p>The men looked at one another in dismay; and also at the raging, hissing
+river that seemed to mock them in their misfortune.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s awful,” David said at last. “The rope snapped and the raft is
+lost.”</p>
+
+<p>Miguel sat down on the sand and covered his face with his hands.</p>
+
+<p>“It was our last chance.” He was almost sobbing. “And now that’s gone.”</p>
+
+<p>David, too, was far from cheerful. Their hopes had been dashed to
+pieces; their enthusiasm had been killed; their work had been for
+nothing. Once again fate, in the guise of the merciless river, had
+conspired against them. The strain under which they had labored began to
+make itself felt. They could endure but so much and the limit was in
+sight.</p>
+
+<p>“Say, this will never do.” The speaker was David. He had regained
+mastery over himself. “Our chance is as good as it ever was. We can make
+another raft. Maybe it’s a good thing this one broke away. We must make
+the ropes stronger. It is a warning to us.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_220">{220}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Miguel looked up, and, encouraged, David continued in a cheerful manner.</p>
+
+<p>“It won’t take so long this time either, because we know how to go about
+it. And listen, the water may continue to rise and then the going will
+be better than ever.”</p>
+
+<p>“It may fall, too,” Miguel ventured half-heartedly.</p>
+
+<p>“Of course. If it does, we’ll just have to wait. It will <i>have</i> to rise
+again sometime. There’s enough to eat here, so why should we worry?”</p>
+
+<p>It was three days later that the second raft was ready. This time they
+did not launch it until the morning of the start. The water had fallen
+somewhat but after a thorough discussion of the matter, they decided to
+chance the passage through the rapids. They loaded their small stock of
+meat and palm buds, tied the packages down securely, stepped aboard the
+floating platform and pushed away from the bank.</p>
+
+<p>The raft drifted slowly and steadily toward the center of the stream.
+Then the currents, coming from each side, caught it, carrying it along
+at a rapidly increasing rate of speed until they were flying along at a
+terrific pace.</p>
+
+<p>So far the water had been fairly smooth though swift. But ahead of them
+was a ruffled stretch, the surface dotted with rocks that showed a few
+inches of their height while the angry waves and back-washes told of
+other, invisible obstructions of a still more formidable nature.</p>
+
+<p>The raft began to lurch so violently that its two occupants lost their
+footing and fell flat on the ribbed<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_221">{221}</a></span> surface. There they clung while the
+floating platform spun and tossed madly at the mercy of the flood, for
+the two men were now powerless to steady it with the long poles they had
+carried for that purpose. Grating noises told them when they scraped
+over partly submerged obstacles and there was an occasional shock and
+sudden halt when they collided with rocks. But the current always swung
+the raft to one side and swept it away in its thundering embrace.</p>
+
+<p>The two men, hanging on for their lives, could not speak to one another
+because the roar of the water drowned the sound of their voices. Showers
+of spray dashed over them as they plunged down the terraces of cascades,
+but the raft always bobbed up again after the leaps and its laminated
+construction made it staunch enough to withstand the frightful strain to
+which it was subjected.</p>
+
+<p>After a half hour’s race down the agitated stream the water became
+calmer and the current slackened. The raft now drifted lazily on the
+broad expanse and the men regained their feet, glad of the relief
+afforded them from their strained position. The poles they had used were
+gone.</p>
+
+<p>“We had better land and cut new ones,” Miguel said, calling attention to
+their loss. “Without them we’ll simply drift along and not get
+anywhere.”</p>
+
+<p>David agreed that this was the proper thing to do. There was now but one
+way to propel their craft; that was to lie flat and paddle with their
+hands.</p>
+
+<p>They soon found, however, that their efforts had little effect on the
+large, cumbersome raft. It<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_222">{222}</a></span> responded so feebly that the result was
+barely noticeable. Then they both lay on the same side; this weighted
+down the edge they were on while it raised the other side out of the
+water. Their combined efforts, coupled with the position of the raft in
+the water, caused it to swing slightly toward the bank.</p>
+
+<p>It was mid-afternoon when they finally touched land; the men were nearly
+exhausted. They pulled one end up on the shelving bank and tied it
+securely. Then they sat down to eat and to rest.</p>
+
+<p>“We are this far, anyway,” David commented. “It isn’t very far, I know,
+but it’s a start and we’re away from the island. The raft behaved fine
+in the rapids. It will stand anything.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” Miguel agreed, “but we don’t know if we are going in the right
+direction. This river may never take us near camp.”</p>
+
+<p>“All the rivers must find their way into the Amazon,” David insisted,
+“so we can’t go wrong.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then we can just drift along. Everything will be all right in the end.”
+Miguel seemed filled with confidence.</p>
+
+<p>His words carried a double meaning to David. He had done nothing but
+drift&mdash;from one thing to another&mdash;into one difficulty after the other,
+since reaching Brazil.</p>
+
+<p>“Are you sure, Miguel,” he asked, “that everything will be all right in
+the end?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, it always is. But it often takes a long time.”</p>
+
+<p>At this point the subject of the conversation was changed abruptly, for
+appearing out of the forest on<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_223">{223}</a></span> the other side of the river were a
+number of Indians&mdash;the very ones, no doubt, from whom they had so
+narrowly escaped.</p>
+
+<p>The brown men were looking at them and waving their arms and the sound
+of their voices could be heard plainly across the wide expanse of the
+stream.</p>
+
+<p>“They’re like wolves on the trail,” Miguel said. “They never give up.
+But they can’t get to us now. They have no canoes and the river is too
+broad to swim.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then let’s wave back to them,” David said, standing up. He swung his
+arms and shouted at the top of his voice. The Indians began to show
+signs of excitement; they raced up and down the bank, jumped into the
+air and called more loudly than before.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t like their actions. I can’t think of a thing they can do now,
+but so soon as its dark we had better leave,” David suggested.</p>
+
+<p>“You’re right,” Miguel agreed. “We can cut the poles now and get a few
+extra ones to tie on the raft so we can have them handy if we lose the
+ones we’re using.”</p>
+
+<p>This task completed, they remained in hiding near the raft until after
+the sun had set. And all the while the savages on the opposite bank, in
+increasing numbers, continued their antics.</p>
+
+<p>“Seems to me they could make a raft and come across,” said David, as
+they watched. He could observe them through the screen of vegetation
+behind which they were concealed.</p>
+
+<p>“Some tribes never navigate the rivers. Others<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_224">{224}</a></span> have canoes and seldom
+travel by land. Then there are still others who travel overland and when
+they reach a stream they want to cross, build a raft or make a wood-skin
+canoe which they abandon or sink after it has been used.”</p>
+
+<p>“I hope those over there belong to the kind that don’t venture on the
+water,” David said.</p>
+
+<p>“I think they do,” Miguel reassured him, “or they would have been over
+here before now.”</p>
+
+<p>They boarded their raft in the concealing darkness and pushed
+downstream, remaining as near the bank as possible. As they drifted
+along, slowly at first, they felt the impatient tug of the current
+trying to hurry them toward the center of the stream.</p>
+
+<p>“We could make better time if we went farther out,” Miguel said. “We are
+barely moving here and I don’t like to be scraping against the branches
+above.”</p>
+
+<p>“Nor I,” David agreed.</p>
+
+<p>They allowed the craft to follow the urge of the water and soon they
+were moving at a fast rate. This pleased them, because it meant rapidly
+increasing the distance between themselves and the savages they were
+leaving behind.</p>
+
+<p>When the moon rose they saw that the raft had been swept to the center
+of the river. Use of the poles had been abandoned when the depth had
+become too great for them to reach the bottom.</p>
+
+<p>“We’ll be in camp before many days at this rate,” David said hopefully.
+“See how fast we’re going?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” from Miguel, “but this is as fast as we<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_225">{225}</a></span> ought to go. If the
+current gets much swifter we’ll have to land.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why?” David asked in surprise. “We can’t get back too soon to suit me.”</p>
+
+<p>“Nor me. But there may be rapids ahead. We don’t know the river, so
+can’t take too many chances at night. If it gets worse we’ll have to
+wait until daylight so we can see first what we are to go through.”</p>
+
+<p>David made no reply, at first.</p>
+
+<p>“We could hear them,” he said finally.</p>
+
+<p>It was not long after that that they heard the faint, warning noise that
+meant trouble ahead. A muffled roar came to their ears; it rose and fell
+in swells of sound like the vibrations of a bell. It was so far away,
+however, they could scarcely hear it.</p>
+
+<p>“You win, Miguel,” David said dejectedly.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s always that way,” Miguel replied. “I win when I want to lose and I
+lose when I want to win. Let’s make for the bank and stay close to it
+until we reach the rapids.”</p>
+
+<p>They dug the poles deep into the water and pushed with all their might.
+The raft responded gently to their efforts, but they knew it would drift
+downstream a great distance before reaching the bank.</p>
+
+<p>Before they had gone very far they realized that the rapids must be
+nearer than they had supposed for the roar was growing louder each
+minute and seemed to come out of the night no great distance ahead.</p>
+
+<p>Miguel was alarmed. “Faster,” he cried. “It’s just in front of us. We
+have to make the bank or we’re lost.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_226">{226}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>David shouted assent. He looked at the dark wall of trees still a good
+hundred yards off. Then he bent to his task with more force than before.</p>
+
+<p>In a few minutes it became obvious that their race was a doubtful one.
+The water surged and boiled as it rushed along at frightful speed and
+the raft began to lurch so that they could scarcely retain their
+footing, while the roar that now came to their ears was of thunderous
+volume.</p>
+
+<p>“We can’t make it,” David shouted finally. He had just estimated the
+span of angry water that still separated them from the land.</p>
+
+<p>“What will we do?” Miguel called in return.</p>
+
+<p>“It sounds too dangerous to attempt&mdash;at night. What do you say?” he
+added as David made no reply.</p>
+
+<p>“Wait!” David spoke quickly. “We can see a little way ahead and we can
+both swim.”</p>
+
+<p>Rocks of large size now loomed up in the riverbed. Around them the water
+raged and hissed in fretful torrents. But still the men kept their
+places, and inch by inch the raft drew toward the forested bank as it
+raced in the grip of the flood.</p>
+
+<p>David glanced up from time to time to appraise the water in front of
+them; its character would, of course, determine their course of action.</p>
+
+<p>“Quick,” he shouted suddenly, “that rock. Make for it for all you’re
+worth,” pointing to a black mass that rose out of the seething water in
+front of them, but ten yards to one side.</p>
+
+<p>Miguel did not know why his companion had come to the sudden conclusion
+that they should make for<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_227">{227}</a></span> the rock; before, they had taken care to
+avoid obstructions of this kind. But there was no time to ask questions.
+He pulled with all the strength in his powerful frame in an effort to
+carry out the instructions that had been given him.</p>
+
+<p>The thing David had seen was a thin veil of mist rising into the moonlit
+sky. That one glimpse had been enough, for it meant that there was a
+waterfall below the haze. There was just time for the shout of warning
+to Miguel; their only hope lay in gaining the rock.</p>
+
+<p>They worked frantically, but soon it was apparent that the heavy raft
+could not be swung sufficiently to make the goal in the distance that
+separated them. Their position was desperate. They must gain the rock or
+be swept over the fall that now boomed with the rumble of thunder.</p>
+
+<p>Caught in the swirling eddies, the raft began to pitch and roll so
+wildly they could no longer stay on their feet.</p>
+
+<p>David grasped Miguel’s arm. The din made speech impossible. He pointed
+down to the water, then to the rock. The Brazilian understood and
+accepted the frightful challenge.</p>
+
+<p>They sprang from the lurching platform and struck out boldly for the
+rock. The swift current bore them along like chips on a millrace;
+curling swells dashed over them and the roaring made their ears throb.
+But there was no turning back, no other course to pursue, and side by
+side they fought the treacherous torrent with powerful strokes.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_228">{228}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The black mass loomed nearer and nearer; it was now but a few yards
+ahead. And almost before they realized it they had been washed upon a
+ledge and were crawling out of reach of the eager swell that rushed up
+after them.</p>
+
+<p>As they gained their feet, trembling from the chill of the water and the
+effects of their terrifying experience, a dark object sped past the
+rock, still a number of yards away. They followed it with their eyes. It
+tossed and spun as it dashed down the river. They continued to watch it
+in silence, facinated by the awful sight.</p>
+
+<p>It was their raft. Suddenly it seemed to pitch forward, and then stand
+on end; for a moment it hung suspended in space, the ragged ends of the
+bamboos of which it was made clearly outlined like a black fringe
+against the white curtain of mist. The bright moonlight lighted up the
+scene so clearly that they missed no detail of it.</p>
+
+<p>Then the raft, still on end, slid downward and was gone. It had plunged
+over the brink of the fall.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh!” It was Miguel. “Everything is lost. All our things were on it&mdash;my
+bow and arrows and your gun, too.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” David returned mournfully. “Everything we had is gone. But we’re
+all right, and that’s something to be thankful for.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_229">{229}</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX</a><br><br>
+THE BROWN MEN OF THE JUNGLE</h2>
+
+<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">When</span> daylight came, the two men cowering on the bare rock around which
+the turbulent water raged, were more appalled than ever at the
+realization of how narrowly they had escaped a terrible fate. The soft
+moonlight had concealed much that the bright sunlight revealed.</p>
+
+<p>All about them were roaring cascades, whirlpools and rapids of a
+formidable character. Above, the stretch of water through which they had
+swum was nearly as bad. It was well that the mellow light had been
+deceptive, for it had hidden the real nature of the river and had made
+it appear much calmer than it really was; if David and Miguel had been
+able to see what was before them it is doubtful if they could have
+reached the rock.</p>
+
+<p>Below, and not more than fifty yards distant, the stream seemed to end
+in a long, even line; it was the edge of the fall. They could not tell
+how far the sheet of water dropped, but the roar that came up from below
+sounded like booming thunder and the clouds of swirling mist rising high
+into the sky indicated that the distance of the plunge must be great.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_230">{230}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The rock upon which the men were stranded was only fifty feet from the
+bank. Both were splendid swimmers. But one look at the narrow channel
+separating them from the land was enough to convince them that they
+could not cross to safety before being swept over the fall. To swim
+against the current in an effort to head up-stream was impossible. Their
+only hope had been to go with the water at the same time striking
+obliquely toward the shore; but that, too, was plainly out of the
+question.</p>
+
+<p>They discussed their predicament in serious voices; but there was no way
+out of the difficulty, so far as they could see.</p>
+
+<p>“We might as well be in the middle of the Amazon as right here,” Miguel
+said.</p>
+
+<p>“I’d rather be in the middle of the ocean,” David replied. “Then a ship
+would be liable to come along to pick us up. Here nobody will find us.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, because no one would be foolish enough to try to navigate this
+river as we did.”</p>
+
+<p>“Suppose the Indians should come down this far?” David asked suddenly.
+“What easy marks we would be!”</p>
+
+<p>“Let them come,” Miguel returned gloomily. “It would be quicker than
+drowning or starving.”</p>
+
+<p>“Maybe so. But I’d like to have something to fight back with. We have
+nothing. Even the revolver is gone.”</p>
+
+<p>The thought of the Indians may have come to them as a premonition, for
+the Indians did arrive not many hours after, and apparently they were
+the same ones<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_231">{231}</a></span> who had been following and attempting to capture them.</p>
+
+<p>As they were gazing with longing at the green walls of forest that grew
+down to the rocks bordering the water the thick curtain of foliage
+parted revealing the brown form of a savage.</p>
+
+<p>“My heavens,” Miguel moaned, “they <i>did</i> find us. It’s all over now.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ve changed my mind,” David panted at about the same moment. “If they
+start shooting at us I’ll jump in and go over the fall; they might not
+be so high as we think and anyway, it’s a fighting chance. I won’t be
+shot like a trapped animal.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll go, too,” Miguel said quickly. “I won’t let them shoot me either.”</p>
+
+<p>They perched on the very edge of the rock, ready to make the plunge.</p>
+
+<p>“Before we go,” said Miguel, as a peculiar look came over his face, “I
+want to tell you something; I tried to tell you before, but&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“Not now,” David interrupted him. “There isn’t time and there’s too much
+noise. And I don’t feel that our end is in sight. I think I suspect,
+too, what you want to say.”</p>
+
+<p>Miguel looked puzzled, but said no more.</p>
+
+<p>Other savages joined the first on the bank, bows and arrows in their
+hands, but still there was no show of hostility. They only stared and
+chattered excitedly among themselves.</p>
+
+<p>Then the group was joined by one who was apparently their chief. He
+pushed boldly to the front and<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_232">{232}</a></span> came out into full view on the rocks.
+The newcomer towered a full head above the others and his powerful body
+looked like a bronze statue against the green background. In one hand he
+held a long bow, in the other, an arrow.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment he stood motionless, looking steadily at the helpless men
+on the rock. Then he glanced up and down the river as if assuring
+himself that they could not escape.</p>
+
+<p>David and Miguel, ready to jump, did not remove their eyes from him for
+a moment. Their hearts were pounding wildly and their breath came in
+gasps.</p>
+
+<p>After surveying the situation a short time longer, the chief turned to
+the savages in back of him and asked a question to which they replied
+with shouts and many gestures. Then he turned and did a most surprising
+thing.</p>
+
+<p>Again facing toward the two white men, he looked at them intently for a
+long time, then stooped and deliberately placed his bow on the rock on
+which he stood. Next, he grasped the arrow in both hands, snapped the
+shaft in two with a quick movement of his wrists and threw the pieces
+into the river. After that he extended his arms at full length toward
+David and Miguel.</p>
+
+<p>This action startled the two so they nearly fell off the rock. They sat
+down, limp and helpless after the terrific ordeal to which they had been
+subjected.</p>
+
+<p>“Does he mean it?” David asked weakly. “Isn’t it a scheme to capture us
+alive?”</p>
+
+<p>“No!” Miguel, too, could barely make himself heard. “An Indian never
+goes back on his word. We are</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" id="ill_004">
+<a href="images/i_fp232.jpg">
+<img src="images/i_fp232.jpg" width="387" height="550" alt=""></a>
+<br>
+<div class="caption"><p>
+Again facing toward the ... white men ... he grasped the arrow in
+both hands, snapped the shaft in two ... and threw the pieces into
+the river.</p>
+</div>
+</div>
+
+<p class="nind">safe so long as we do nothing to take advantage of him. I can hardly
+believe what’s happened.”</p>
+
+<p>The Indian was still waiting with outstretched arms. Noting this, Miguel
+rose to his feet and held out his arms to the savage. Then David
+followed his example. All the other Indians now came out of the forest
+and held out their hands. Thus they stood a few seconds and the promise
+of friendship was sealed on both sides.</p>
+
+<p>The brown men now drew together for a consultation which lasted for some
+time. When it was over their leader again turned and motioned to David
+and Miguel to sit down; they complied with his request, after which the
+Indians disappeared into the forest.</p>
+
+<p>Several hours passed; they seemed like days to the two on the rock.</p>
+
+<p>“I wonder what they are going to do!” David said over and over.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t know,” Miguel replied each time. “They have some scheme for
+getting us off this place and have gone to see about it.”</p>
+
+<p>At last the chief returned. He was excited and pointed up the river.
+Looking in that direction they saw a group of Indians in the act of
+pushing a heavy log far out into the stream with the aid of long poles.
+Caught by the swift current, the log began to race down toward them and
+in a short time it had sped past them on the far side of the rock.
+Suddenly it wavered, swung around and then stopped beside their footing.
+It was not until then that they discovered that there was a strong rope
+of braided palm fiber attached to the log, the other end of which was
+on<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_233">{233}</a><br><a id="page_234">{234}</a></span> shore and held by a large number of Indians. The latter made their
+way down along the rocks, slowly and cautiously, until they were
+directly opposite the rock.</p>
+
+<p>The leader, now in deliberate pantomime, showed the plan that had been
+worked out for the rescue of the white men. One of them was to tie the
+rope around his body just below the arms and then jump into the river as
+far as possible. The Indians would pull him ashore.</p>
+
+<p>The question now came up as to who was to go first, each offering to
+make the attempt that would test the feasibility of the scheme and the
+strength of the rope; but the matter was quickly settled when David tore
+one of the few remaining buttons off his clothes and flipped it as he
+would a coin. He was the winner.</p>
+
+<p>Miguel carefully adjusted the end of the rope around his companion’s
+body and tied the knot securely across his chest. Then, at a signal from
+the chief, David jumped as far as he could; at the same instant the
+Indians holding the other end raced into the forest.</p>
+
+<p>The moment the man struck the water he felt himself dragged against the
+frightful current that whirled him over and over, drew him down into the
+boiling depths and again tossed him up to the surface. The pull was so
+great that it seemed he must be torn in two. The ordeal, however, lasted
+but a short time. Before he was fully aware of what had happened strong
+arms pulled him out of the water and placed him on his feet where he
+stood sputtering and gasping but none the worse for his experience.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_235">{235}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The rescuers immediately went upstream, sent out another log and rescued
+Miguel in the same manner.</p>
+
+<p>The two followed the Indians into the forest, where the latter started a
+fire and proceeded to roast some game that they had apparently shot
+earlier in the day. The brown men now paid no attention to their guests,
+for such they were, and David and Miguel remained quietly on one side,
+watching their actions.</p>
+
+<p>Before long the meat was roasted and one of the Indians brought two
+large, forest partridges to the strangers. Then they all sat down and
+ate in silence.</p>
+
+<p>Miguel knew a good deal of the customs of the Indians. He was sure that
+there would be questionings and explanations later on. But first, the
+law of hospitality required the providing of food.</p>
+
+<p>After they had eaten the chief arose and motioned to the two to join his
+group of warriors. He was of such splendid build and appearance that
+David and Miguel could not suppress their look of admiration. The tops
+of their own heads scarcely reached to the level of his shoulders.
+Powerful muscles bulged under his brown skin. His head was round, with a
+not unpleasant face. His eyes were large and black and straight hair
+that had been cut evenly, hung in a thick mass to just below his ears.
+They judged that his age was but a few years above their own.</p>
+
+<p>“White men,” he said in an even, though deep voice, “why do you keep on
+coming farther and farther into my country?”</p>
+
+<p>The surprise of David and Miguel at hearing these words was second only
+to that experienced when they<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_236">{236}</a></span> had discovered they were not to be
+attacked, for the man was addressing them in broken Portuguese they
+could readily understand.</p>
+
+<p>“We are lost,” David said when he had recovered sufficiently to speak,
+“and were trying to get back to our camp when you found us.”</p>
+
+<p>The Indian grunted, and there was a brief pause.</p>
+
+<p>“Then go,” he said. “Your stomachs are full.”</p>
+
+<p>“But,” Miguel explained, “we are still lost. We don’t know which way to
+go.”</p>
+
+<p>At this their rescuer gave them a look of contempt.</p>
+
+<p>“Then you can stay here,” he said, with a shrug of his broad shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>“You saved our lives,” David said, suddenly changing the subject, “and
+we shall not forget that. Why did you do it? We were at your mercy.”</p>
+
+<p>“You still are. But we savages, as you call us, never kill an unarmed
+enemy except in revenge. But more than that, I respect the courage of
+men who dare venture on the river. I saw you start and followed you down
+to see what was left of you at the bottom of the fall.”</p>
+
+<p>David then told the chief their experiences after boarding the raft; how
+they had suddenly realized their danger and how, abandoning the lurching
+craft, they had succeeded in swimming to the rock. As the Indian
+listened, his eyes brightened with admiration.</p>
+
+<p>“The white men do not know the ways of the forest,” he said, “therefore
+they should keep out of it, because it belongs to us. You are lost! That
+proves that we belong here and you do not. We never lose our way.<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_237">{237}</a></span> You
+come and you drive us farther and farther away from our homes and
+plantations into the country of other tribes who kill us unless we kill
+them. We fight you every step of the way and we win, too&mdash;but in the end
+you win through your superior weapons and greater savagery. But we do
+not stop fighting until the last man is dead.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why don’t you make friends with the white men?” David asked. He was
+feeling decidedly uncomfortable.</p>
+
+<p>“They will not let us,” came the prompt response. “Pretending to be our
+friends, they are our worst enemies. I know. I lived among them at the
+rubber camps, long, long ago. When the white men come, no matter under
+what excuse, the Indian loses and finally disappears. They praise us and
+give us things of no value for which we always pay in hard labor, in
+suffering and even with our lives. White men are savages; they know
+better, but still they are most merciless of all.”</p>
+
+<p>“You may be right,” David said thoughtfully. “I don’t know. We ought to
+teach you things and help you&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“No,” the Indian snapped angrily. “You should let us live our lives and
+leave us alone.”</p>
+
+<p>David thought it best not to press his point. “But we are your friends
+and always will be,” he said calmly. “Come with us to our camp.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, no!” the Indian exclaimed in horror. “They would kill us.”</p>
+
+<p>“I assure you you will be as safe in our camp as we<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_238">{238}</a></span> are with you; and
+there are several things I want to give you to show our appreciation of
+your friendship.”</p>
+
+<p>This pleased the stalwart chief.</p>
+
+<p>“We will go,” he said. “Tonight the remainder of my tribe will be here.
+Then we will eat and sing and dance; tomorrow we will start on the
+journey.”</p>
+
+<p>“How far is it?” Miguel asked.</p>
+
+<p>“Five settings of the sun, as we will walk slowly. There are many women
+and children coming tonight and they cannot go fast.”</p>
+
+<p>When the others arrived that night the white men were surprised at their
+number. There were now over two hundred in the party. The women brought
+food in baskets as well as deer, peccaries, monkeys and birds that had
+been killed by the men and the feast that followed lasted far into the
+night.</p>
+
+<p>There was no delay, however, in getting under way the following morning.
+Soon after the sun rose the encampment was astir. There was a hasty meal
+and then the party formed for the march.</p>
+
+<p>The chief started first, accompanied by David and Miguel, and carrying
+only his bow and a number of arrows. At a distance of twenty paces in
+back of him walked a woman with a heavy basket strapped to her back and
+carrying two small children, while several larger ones trudged by her
+side. At a distance of twenty paces behind her was another warrior
+bearing only his weapons; then another heavily burdened woman followed
+by another man; and so they alternated to the end of the line.</p>
+
+<p>David thought the men were getting the best of<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_239">{239}</a></span> the deal, but after
+asking a few questions of the leader he was able to account for the
+arrangement of the column on the march.</p>
+
+<p>The men were the fighters and the hunters. Surrounded by enemies as each
+tribe was at all times, the warrior must be instantly ready to repulse
+an attack or to dispatch his opponent at first sight. As the hunters,
+the men must be prepared to shoot any animal they encountered before it
+could escape. Therefore, they must of necessity be free to use the bow
+without the slightest delay.</p>
+
+<p>In either case, quick action would be impossible if the men were
+encumbered with burdens of any kind, for they would be unable to shoot
+with any degree of accuracy until the impedimenta had been placed on the
+ground. While doing this, the enemy would have ample time for the first
+shots, or the animal would escape. That might mean disaster in the form
+of death or starvation, so the arrangement was a wise one after all.</p>
+
+<p>They tramped along at an easy gait, stopping at noon for a short rest.
+No fires were built, but food from the baskets was distributed to the
+children. During this interval most of the men strayed away a short
+distance to hunt and before long their excited cries told that the chase
+was on.</p>
+
+<p>The shouts came nearer rapidly and just before the hunters came into
+view the branches in the trees ahead of them began to sway and rustle.</p>
+
+<p>David looked up and saw a troop of large, black monkeys fleeing for
+their lives. He had never seen<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_240">{240}</a></span> so many of the animals together at one
+time. As they raced along and made flying leaps across the spaces that
+separated the trees, shower after shower of arrows were sent after them
+by their pursuers. There were the constant twanging of bows and the
+whining of arrows in flight and now and then came a dull thud, after
+which one of the frightened animals always leaped high into the air,
+screamed, then fell to the ground with a crash. But the Indians did not
+stop to recover it. They continued after the survivors in the treetops
+and soon the chase had passed the resting place and the shouts grew
+fainter in the distance.</p>
+
+<p>It was fully an hour before the last of the hunters returned and the
+victims had been collected. There were forty-three monkeys spread on the
+ground and the chief assured the white men that not one had escaped; he
+beamed with satisfaction, for he alone had accounted for five of the
+animals.</p>
+
+<p>“Tonight there will be meat for all and more,” he said. “Not in many
+changes of the moon has there been such an abundance of this, the best
+of all food.”</p>
+
+<p>There was now a further delay while the women dressed the monkeys, after
+which they packed them into their baskets. After that the column again
+formed and got under way.</p>
+
+<p>In this manner the party moved leisurely through the heavy forest, led
+unerringly and without hesitation by their fearless leader. It was on
+the fifth day that they had the first intimation that the end of the
+trail was in sight.</p>
+
+<p>“This looks familiar, somehow,” David said sud<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_241">{241}</a></span>denly, as they reached a
+large body of water in the heart of the forest. “I wonder if it could be
+the&mdash;&mdash;“. He checked his words abruptly.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” Miguel continued for him. “It’s the lagoon. Right over there is
+where the crocodile nearly got me. I wouldn’t be here if it hadn’t been
+for you.”</p>
+
+<p>“And but for you, I wouldn’t be here. So we’re even. Let’s not mention
+the subject again.”</p>
+
+<p>Not long after that the men about the rubber camp had an unusual and
+unforgettable experience. It was their first glimpse of the two
+wanderers, long given up for lost, marching into camp on either side of
+the giant Indian. They thought for a moment that the savage was their
+captive, but when others appeared in the wake of the three they were
+more mystified than ever.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_242">{242}</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX</a><br><br>
+THE DRIFTING ENDS</h2>
+
+<p class="nind"><span class="smcap">Most</span> surprised of all to see the large party of visitors was Dom Carlos.
+At first he was at a loss as to how to express his feelings. The weeks
+that had elapsed since David’s disappearance had brought him no end of
+worry, for there was no doubt but that he would be held responsible. He
+had delayed sending word of the disappearance to Las Palmas in the hope
+that the missing man would show up. And now that he had arrived and was
+safely in their midst, the old feeling of tyranny came back with
+increased intensity.</p>
+
+<p>“So you are back at last!” he said gruffly. “What excuse have you for
+going away and staying so long without my permission? Don’t you know
+that the collecting season is almost over and you have wasted your time?
+You have accomplished nothing.”</p>
+
+<p>David was taken aback by this reception.</p>
+
+<p>“I was lost,” he returned. “I was never so eager to get anywhere as to
+this place, but I couldn’t find the way.”</p>
+
+<p>“And you, Miguel? You were lost, too, I suppose?” sarcastically.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_243">{243}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“Yes, I was lost, too. The fever is to blame,” Miguel replied, while his
+eyes snapped.</p>
+
+<p>“You can tell that to the <i>patron</i> when we get to the ranch. And what do
+these savages want?”</p>
+
+<p>“They asked for nothing. They saved us from the river and brought us
+home. They are our friends and I invited them to come,” David said.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I’ll invite them to go now. I don’t want them here. Tell them to
+go and to be quick about it.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, they are not going until I can prove to them that there is at least
+one <i>white</i> man in the world,” David snapped with determination. “I’m
+going to the storehouse for some presents for them.”</p>
+
+<p>“You are?” The foreman feigned surprise. “And who is going to be
+responsible? Your account is overdrawn now.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll take care of that part, so don’t you worry. Rice said I could draw
+anything I need and I am going to do it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Look here,” and the burly foreman stepped forward to block his path.
+“I’m the boss. You will give nothing to these savages and I will chase
+them away.”</p>
+
+<p>This speech angered David.</p>
+
+<p>“They are my friends and they will be yours, too, if you let them. Think
+of what it will mean to have them on your side instead of fighting
+against you. It is the chance of a lifetime to make peace and you ought
+to jump at it. Now, I am going to make good my promise to them.”</p>
+
+<p>The foreman leaped toward David with a shout of rage. The latter was no
+match for the big Brazilian,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_244">{244}</a></span> but he stood still waiting for the onrush
+until a giant form stepped in front of him. It was the leader of the
+Indians who stood like a statue between David and Dom Carlos.</p>
+
+<p>This interference was too much for the foreman.</p>
+
+<p>“I see he is your friend,” he panted, “and I will have nothing to do
+with a savage. Go ahead, get the things. But remember, you will have to
+account to the boss for this whole thing.”</p>
+
+<p>David said nothing, but some of the men who were watching the encounter,
+whispered among themselves. They had noted how ready their leader was to
+attack a man smaller than himself and how quickly he stopped when the
+giant Indian intervened.</p>
+
+<p>“Come,” David said to the brown man. “Come with me. The others can wait
+here.”</p>
+
+<p>Together they went to the supply hut where the chief was invited to take
+his choice of the articles in stock. He selected a number of knives,
+hatchets and a few other objects he desired, after which David presented
+him with several pounds of tobacco, which he appreciated more than the
+other gifts.</p>
+
+<p>The Indians prepared to take their departure soon after, but not until
+the whole party had exchanged pledges of friendship with the Brazilians.
+Instead of shaking hands upon leaving they patted one another on the
+back, but when the chief came to Dom Carlos he walked haughtily past and
+as he did so he placed an arrow, point up, in the ground at his feet.
+That meant that he was an enemy of the Indians who would thereafter
+attack him on sight.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_245">{245}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Then the column formed and vanished in the forest.</p>
+
+<p>That night David and Miguel had little time for sleep. The men crowded
+about them and urged them to repeat again and again the story of their
+adventures. It was all so strange, so seemingly impossible they could
+not comprehend it fully, but they at no time doubted the narrative of
+their companions.</p>
+
+<p>“You got here just in time,” one of them said finally. “We start back in
+a week or less.”</p>
+
+<p>“To the ranch?” David asked eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes. The rains are overdue. When they begin they will come hard. We’re
+getting ready to leave now.”</p>
+
+<p>“That sounds too good to be true. We can’t start too soon to suit me.”</p>
+
+<p>The next day he saw what the preparations consisted of. The large balls
+of rubber were being carried to the riverbank. Thick ropes were passed
+through the holes in the center of the balls which had been left by the
+poles on which the latex was poured while being smoked. The number on
+the different strings varied, but when sufficient had been threaded the
+ends of the rope were tied together, forming a huge “necklace.” These,
+in turn, were pushed into the water, one within the other, so they
+formed groups of concentric rings known as rubber rafts.</p>
+
+<p>It required a number of days to complete all the arrangements. The men
+packed their belongings and the utensils used by them in their work and
+placed them aboard the launch. The Indians who had been engaged at the
+camp had already taken their departure<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_246">{246}</a></span> in canoes for their homes far up
+the river. The camp began to take on a deserted appearance and it was
+not difficult to picture what the place would look like a few weeks
+hence, when the rising water would cover the site and sweep away the
+huts and every vestige of human occupancy.</p>
+
+<p>Not all of the men were to return to the ranch in the launch. About half
+their number had been selected to follow the rubber rafts as they
+floated down the river. When the start was made two men were sent in
+each canoe; their duty was to drift with the raft by day and by night,
+to guide it with poles into the proper channels, and to tie it up when
+it reached its destination.</p>
+
+<p>During the hours of daylight a flag was placed in the center ball; at
+night a lantern took its place, making it easy for the men to follow the
+raft in the darkness.</p>
+
+<p>This work required experienced men, so David was not chosen to be one of
+them. He went on the launch on the day following the departure of the
+rubber fleet.</p>
+
+<p>The first rain of the season was falling when the craft nosed her way
+into the stream and the men were glad to leave the now gloomy
+hinterland, for it would be many weeks before the sodden skies cleared,
+except for brief intervals, and the place once more became habitable.</p>
+
+<p>The trip down the river was without incident of note. Each day the rain
+fell for longer periods until there were but infrequent lulls in the
+heavy downpours. The nights, however, were almost invariably<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_247">{247}</a></span> clear, but
+within another month there would be no respite either day or night from
+the roaring deluge.</p>
+
+<p>The river rose rapidly, covering rocks and encroaching upon the forest;
+soon it would assume the aspect of a vast, muddy lake and the picture of
+heartrending desolation would be complete.</p>
+
+<p class="cb">* * * * * </p>
+
+<p>Rice was at the landing when the launch drew up and was made fast. David
+had looked forward to a word of greeting, or at least a friendly glance,
+and his disappointment was keen when he found himself treated with the
+same indifference that characterized the owner’s attitude toward all the
+men. His one concern seemed to be with the rubber crop and after asking
+a few questions of Dom Carlos the two went into the office structure,
+leaving the men to unload the launch.</p>
+
+<p>David saw nothing more of his employer until several days later, when
+the rubber rafts began to arrive. Then he remained at the waterfront
+almost constantly, appraising and commenting on the season’s catch.</p>
+
+<p>The cattle had to be brought from the outlying feeding-grounds with the
+coming of the rains; a great part of the range would soon become
+inundated. Also, there were numerous other things to be done, such as
+branding the calves and counting and segregating the animals of
+different ages and intended for different purposes.</p>
+
+<p>David, of course, confidently expected that he would<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_248">{248}</a></span> be permitted to
+participate in this work. It was the thing for which he had come to the
+ranch and in anticipation of which he had endured all the hardships and
+discouragements that had been thrust into his path. But once again he
+was disappointed.</p>
+
+<p>One by one the men were selected for the round-up and sent on their
+various missions. And when the last place had been filled, those who
+remained were put to work weighing the rubber and marking it for
+shipment.</p>
+
+<p>David awaited a favorable opportunity to protest against this treatment
+to Dom Carlos. The latter gave him a look of contempt.</p>
+
+<p>“You’re lucky to be doing anything,” he said in reply. “When I told the
+<i>patron</i> all the things you are guilty of he came near sending you down
+the river under guard. But he decided to let you work out your debt;
+after that you’re going on the first launch that leaves.”</p>
+
+<p>“If that’s the case I might as well leave right now,” David replied
+hotly.</p>
+
+<p>“Not until you’ve squared your account. You’ll work that out first, and
+it will take a long time, too.”</p>
+
+<p>David said nothing more, but quickly formed a plan of action. He would
+venture to speak to Rice if there was a possible chance of doing so; if
+not, he simply had to make the best of a very bad situation.</p>
+
+<p>Soon the cattle began to arrive, in small groups and in droves that
+numbered hundreds. They were a wild lot and David was surprised that
+there were so many of them. As he watched the mounted herders, wielding
+their ropes, riding frantically and shouting, he<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_249">{249}</a></span> longed to be among
+them. Instead, he carried the heavy balls of rubber to the weighing shed
+and back again to the storehouse, after they had been weighed and
+checked.</p>
+
+<p>However, in the evenings, when the day’s hard labor was over, he visited
+the corrals accompanied by Miguel and eagerly talked about the things he
+would like to do and would do&mdash;elsewhere, if the opportunity did not
+come at Las Palmas.</p>
+
+<p>The more he thought of the matter, the more impatient he became. And
+finally, unable longer to endure in silence, he decided to go to Rice to
+settle the issue. Scarcely had he determined on this course than the
+ranchman sent for him. He hastened to the office in response to the
+summons, breathless with eagerness and anticipation.</p>
+
+<p>A gruff “Enter” came in answer to his knock. He went in. Rice was at the
+table, his back turned toward the door and he continued writing fully
+five minutes longer before turning around. In the meantime, David’s
+enthusiasm and ardor cooled considerably. He doubted now that he had
+been called for a good purpose.</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t say a word,” Rice greeted him swinging suddenly in his chair.
+“Listen to what I say. I’ve heard all about everything, and I know just
+where everybody stands.”</p>
+
+<p>David had no idea what the man was talking about, but kept his mouth
+shut. After a moment the ranchman continued:</p>
+
+<p>“Somebody is going to have a surprise coming to<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_250">{250}</a></span> him soon and it won’t
+be a pleasant one either. What I mean is this. Cattle have been
+disappearing. Two hundred yearlings are gone. They were stolen. Now,
+that ought to be enough. Be mighty careful because we’ll find out the
+guilty one and then&mdash;&mdash;. That’s all. Get out.”</p>
+
+<p>David was stunned by this information. At first he could not fully
+comprehend the meaning of the words he had just heard. Cattle had been
+stolen! Two hundred of them! What was the man driving at? Surely, he did
+not suspect him of being guilty of the deed. Why should he do such a
+thing? What could he do with the cattle even if he had taken them? These
+and similar thoughts raced through his mind in a bewildering stream,
+followed by bitter resentment that the subject had been mentioned to him
+at all. He had not been accused directly, it is true; but there was the
+insinuation of guilt or suspicion of it. His first impulse was to return
+to Rice instantly and to tell him what he thought of the whole outfit
+and then to leave, regardless of the consequences. He had succeeded in
+getting there alone and unaided; he could go away in the same manner.
+But after a moment’s consideration he decided to do nothing of the kind;
+a better plan had suggested itself. He would catch the thief and thereby
+clear his own name. Not until then would he be justified in leaving. To
+go now might be interpreted as an admission of guilt.</p>
+
+<p>That night he conversed long and seriously with Miguel. And the next day
+the latter, who was supposed to be in the thick of the round-up but
+whose<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_251">{251}</a></span> absence was not missed in the excitement of the work, was far
+away, engaged in another enterprise.</p>
+
+<p>He reported fully to David that night, as they made their customary
+visit to the corrals.</p>
+
+<p>“I found it,” he said, so soon as they were out of hearing of the men in
+the huts. “I know it’s the trail made by the missing cattle, because the
+tracks are all the same size.”</p>
+
+<p>David was inclined to be skeptical.</p>
+
+<p>“If you could find it, why couldn’t the boss?” he asked. “He has been
+looking all day for some clue that would lead him to the recovery of his
+property.”</p>
+
+<p>“He didn’t look in the right place. First, the cattle were driven
+through the marsh so as to cover their trail. Then they went through
+that wide patch of forest over there,” pointing to a black clump of
+trees far in the distance, “and when they had passed through that they
+were several kilometers away&mdash;far enough to make picking up their tracks
+a difficult matter.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s great! What else did you find out?” David said.</p>
+
+<p>“There was a strange man in the corrals this evening when I got back. He
+was talking to Dom Carlos.”</p>
+
+<p>“I wonder if he is still here!”</p>
+
+<p>“No! He left a short while after I came and he rode through the marsh
+and into the woods.”</p>
+
+<p>“Good! That’s all we need to know.”</p>
+
+<p>It was two days later that Miguel stole into the hut where David was
+perspiring over his task in the middle of the afternoon. A new lot of
+cattle had been driven into the corrals that morning.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_252">{252}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“The stranger is here again,” he said, “and Dom Carlos is showing him
+the pen of two-year-olds.”</p>
+
+<p>“We’ll see tonight,” David returned; it was hard for him to restrain his
+excitement. “Have two horses ready. Get them any way you can, but be
+sure to have them. I’ll have the other things.”</p>
+
+<p>Miguel returned to his work and David continued with his task; the hours
+seemed like days.</p>
+
+<p>It was dark when Miguel came to announce that the horses were waiting,
+and the two lost no time in going to the place where they had been tied.
+Soon the moon would rise and that would mean their discovery and the
+spoiling of their plan, so there was need of haste.</p>
+
+<p>The two rode slowly through the marsh, so as to make as little noise as
+possible. A half hour later they emerged from the mire and entered the
+clump of trees. By this time the moon had risen above the horizon and a
+faint light penetrated through the treetops.</p>
+
+<p>They had not gone far when a pair of dark forms appeared out of the
+shadows and came toward them. The riders stopped and awaited the
+approach of the two.</p>
+
+<p>“Is everything all right?” the foremost asked. “Where are the animals?”</p>
+
+<p>“They’re coming,” Miguel answered, as they dismounted leisurely. They
+led their horses to a tree and tied them. Then they walked carelessly to
+where the strangers were standing.</p>
+
+<p>The next thing the latter knew they were facing<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_253">{253}</a></span> two revolvers, the
+muzzles of which were thrust against their chests.</p>
+
+<p>“Put up your hands!” David commanded, and the order was obeyed in an
+instant, so completely had the men been taken by surprise.</p>
+
+<p>“Thanks!” David continued. “We’re not going to hurt you in the least,
+that is, so long as you do what we say. But be careful; these guns are
+so easy on the trigger they can’t stand the least little pull. Don’t
+make me nervous or there might be an accident.”</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke, Miguel and he had relieved the two astonished men of their
+weapons.</p>
+
+<p>“What do you want?” one of them asked in a trembling voice.</p>
+
+<p>“You’re waiting for the cattle. They’re coming. One of you must go
+through with the deal, as if nothing had happened. My companion will
+guard the other of you while I substitute in his place to watch the
+deal. That isn’t much to ask, is it?”</p>
+
+<p>“This is the man I saw at the corral,” Miguel volunteered. “Let him meet
+Carlos.”</p>
+
+<p>“All right,” David returned. “Take the other one away, Miguel. Make him
+turn around and keep your gun against his back. If he makes one
+suspicious move&mdash;you know what to do; or, if I give the signal, shoot
+him anyway. I’ll keep my eyes on this one.”</p>
+
+<p>Miguel marched his prisoner into the shadows a short distance away.</p>
+
+<p>“You may cross your arms now,” David addressed the man before him. “They
+must be getting tired; but keep them crossed. What shall I call you?”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_254">{254}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“Ramón.”</p>
+
+<p>“All right, Ramón, when Carlos comes, conduct your business with him
+just as if I were not here. Take the cattle and pay for them. But don’t
+forget for one second that I am right here by your side. This gun in my
+hand shoots quicker and straighter than any I ever saw; I can’t miss
+with it.”</p>
+
+<p>“I haven’t any money,” Ramón said in a surly voice.</p>
+
+<p>“How do you pay for the cattle?”</p>
+
+<p>“I just give a receipt for them. Then when I sell them down river, we
+divide the money.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s a good system. It’s better than carrying a lot of money, because
+somebody might rob you. Give Carlos the receipt.”</p>
+
+<p>“What shall I say if he asks about you? He knows Lucas who was with me.”</p>
+
+<p>“Tell him Lucas can’t be with you this evening, and that I am taking his
+place. I’ll tie a handkerchief over my face so he won’t know me.”</p>
+
+<p>“What are you going to do with us?” the man next asked.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, that depends.” David was thoughtful. “If you don’t do everything
+just as I told you to I’ll just let you lie here where you fall. If you
+carry out your part, we’ll let you go. That will give you a whole
+night’s start in the event anyone should want to go after you in the
+morning. I’d advise you not to stop until you are out of the country and
+never to come back again.”</p>
+
+<p>Ramón seemed relieved.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_255">{255}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“I’ll do just as you ordered,” he said. “Don’t worry.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m not worrying. That’s for you to do.”</p>
+
+<p>It seemed but a few minutes before they heard the trampling of many feet
+and soon the cattle began to drift into the forest. They moved slowly
+and were a long time in passing, for their number was great.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of the lines came Dom Carlos. David recognized him on sight,
+even in the semi-darkness.</p>
+
+<p>“Here they are,” he said, without dismounting. “Give me the receipt, and
+see that you get a better price for these or you can’t have any more.
+Hurry up. I’ve got to get back before I’m missed.”</p>
+
+<p>The man handed Carlos a slip of paper which the latter scanned and then
+carefully concealed in a little pocket under the holster of his
+revolver.</p>
+
+<p>He seemed about to depart. Then he looked up suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>“Who’s that?” he asked sharply, pointing to David. “Where’s Lucas?”</p>
+
+<p>David trembled in fear of what might happen, but Ramón played his part
+well.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh,” he said easily, “Lucas can’t be here tonight so this man is taking
+his place. He’s all right, though.”</p>
+
+<p>Carlos said no more but turned and galloped away.</p>
+
+<p>Miguel brought out his prisoner after a short wait and then they told
+the men to get on their horses and leave as fast as they could, which
+order they were not long in carrying out.</p>
+
+<p>“Here, Miguel,” David said, when the clatter of the hoofs of the two
+fleeing horses had died in the dis<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_256">{256}</a></span>tance, “you can take this gun, too.
+That makes two for you. I thought it best not to give them back to the
+thieves and as I have one of my own I don’t need another.” Then he added
+with a chuckle, “that will make up for your having to use a pill bottle
+tonight. Honestly, I tried hard to borrow or steal one for you to use,
+but I couldn’t.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thanks,” Miguel said with beaming eyes. “I was scared to death the man
+would see I had a bottle and not a gun.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s why I told him to turn his back&mdash;so he couldn’t see.”</p>
+
+<p>In accordance with their plan, Miguel remained to watch the cattle while
+David mounted and rode to camp.</p>
+
+<p>The place was in a fever of activity when he arrived. Several of the men
+ran out to meet him and from their excited chatter he gathered several
+things.</p>
+
+<p>Rice had suspected trouble and had made a personal inspection of the
+corrals soon after dark. The pens of the two-year-olds had been found
+empty. Worst of all, there were no tracks to tell in which direction the
+animals had gone.</p>
+
+<p>“He thinks you took them,” one of the men ventured, half-fearfully, “you
+and Miguel, because you had taken horses and were missing.”</p>
+
+<p>David said nothing, but rode to the office structure and, without
+knocking, entered. Rice was alone, at the table as usual, his head
+propped up in his hands. Several kerosene lamps lighted up the room.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_257">{257}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>David waited a moment, but as the man did not look up he strode quickly
+to his side.</p>
+
+<p>“Mr. Rice,” he said quietly, “I know you don’t like me and you don’t
+want me here, and I’m not going to bother you much longer. But what you
+said to me the last time was too much. I can’t stand that. I couldn’t go
+after you had all but called me a thief until I could prove the facts. I
+can do that now and I’m leaving tomorrow morning. I got here alone and I
+can get back the same way.”</p>
+
+<p>Rice had jumped to his feet at the first words and stood looking at
+David. He had undergone a remarkable change. His face was drawn and
+there was a pathetic expression in his eyes. When he spoke his voice was
+almost plaintive.</p>
+
+<p>“What do you mean?” he asked. “Sit down and let’s talk things over.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, thank you,” David replied. “I’ve become used to standing on my
+feet. You saw to it that I did. But what I came to see you about was
+that cattle proposition. More have been stolen tonight. The mozos met me
+with the information that Miguel and I are suspected of their theft
+because we could not be located in the ranch. Were we the only ones away
+at the time?”</p>
+
+<p>“Please.” Rice’s voice was pleading now. “You don’t understand; but you
+will soon.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, and if I may say it, you too will understand very soon.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” Rice continued, “Carlos was gone also. They said he had gone to
+chase the thieves.”</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page_258">{258}</a></span></p>
+
+<p>“And do you believe that?”</p>
+
+<p>The subject of the conversation entered at that moment.</p>
+
+<p>“I chased them many kilometers,” he said, wiping the perspiration from
+his face, “but they escaped. I must have killed or at least wounded some
+of them, because I shot at them each time I got near enough.”</p>
+
+<p>David appeared elated.</p>
+
+<p>“I would consider it an honor to clean the revolver of such a brave
+man,” he said quickly. “The barrel must be all fouled. Please, may I?”</p>
+
+<p>Dom Carlos scowled as he hesitated.</p>
+
+<p>“Let him do it.” It was Rice who spoke, as if indulgently. “A man with
+courage such as yours should have a servant.”</p>
+
+<p>The foreman smiled at this compliment. And, besides, here was another
+opportunity to humiliate David.</p>
+
+<p>He carelessly removed the revolver from the holster and laid it on the
+table. David had it in an instant.</p>
+
+<p>“Now take off the belt and give it to the boss,” he commanded, levelling
+the weapon at the foreman, “and do it right away.”</p>
+
+<p>The latter flew into a rage.</p>
+
+<p>“Are you going to let this <i>mozo</i> insult and threaten me like that?” he
+asked.</p>
+
+<p>“Go on, Carlos. Take it off.” It was Rice who spoke. “Better humor him;
+he has us at a disadvantage.”</p>
+
+<p>At this the foreman was too startled to make a<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_259">{259}</a></span> reply. He began to
+understand the turn affairs were taking. His arms hung limply. He was
+about to collapse.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll take it off for you, then,” David said.</p>
+
+<p>He handed the belt to Rice.</p>
+
+<p>“Look into the little pocket under the holster and you will know who
+stole your cattle.”</p>
+
+<p>Rice obeyed mechanically, with trembling fingers, and found not one but
+two pieces of paper.</p>
+
+<p>“I see,” he said; “receipts for both lots of cattle that disappeared.
+Carlos, what have you to say?”</p>
+
+<p>But the man was incapable of speech. He had slumped, moaning, to the
+floor. Several of the men, coming at Rice’s call, removed him to an
+inner room and remained to guard him.</p>
+
+<p>David now told the whole story of what had occurred, ending with,
+“Miguel is staying with the cattle until you send someone to help him
+round them up and bring them back. I’m going to pack my things now, so I
+can start early in the morning.”</p>
+
+<p>He turned to go, but Rice grasped his arm and held him fast.</p>
+
+<p>“No!” he said in a strained voice. “I don’t blame you for wanting to get
+away from here, and after what you’ve gone through I have no right to
+ask you to stay to endure more of it. But don’t leave&mdash;tomorrow morning.
+Wait a few days longer. There will be a launch then.”</p>
+
+<p>“I can go alone, as I came. The one comforting thought I can take with
+me from Las Palmas is that<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_260">{260}</a></span> I didn’t trouble anyone, and I can’t start
+doing that now.”</p>
+
+<p>“I want to see you in the morning.” Again Rice was pleading. “Promise
+that you’ll stay just one more day. I have something to say to you.”</p>
+
+<p>And David promptly showed his fine character by agreeing to the request.</p>
+
+<p>“I am expecting the launch from Manaos any hour now,” Rice said the next
+morning, after warmly greeting David. “It will bring a surprise for
+you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Mail!” David exclaimed enthusiastically. “It has been so long since I
+had a letter from home.”</p>
+
+<p>“There may be letters, but I was thinking of something else. It will
+bring something&mdash;someone, I should say&mdash;&mdash;”</p>
+
+<p>“You don’t mean that my&mdash;my&mdash;” David gasped.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, your father is coming.”</p>
+
+<p>The listener was so overcome at this news that he was speechless. He
+grasped a chair for support.</p>
+
+<p>“And now I am going to tell you the whole story,” Rice continued. “Your
+father wrote me before you came that he wanted this to be your last
+change. He asked me to make things so bad, so trying, so disagreeable,
+that only the strongest faith in yourself could carry you through. I was
+either to make or break you. I did what I considered was proper and the
+men were given their instructions. Some things went too far; I know
+that, because I have questioned each one and I learned the truth. Carlos
+abused my confidence and you because in you he saw a possible rival. I
+was<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_261">{261}</a></span> misled by him or I should not have entrusted you to his care.”</p>
+
+<p>“How about accusing me of stealing the cattle?” David was on the point
+of tears.</p>
+
+<p>“If you will think back you will remember that I did not accuse you. I
+simply wanted to put you on your mettle. I firmly believed you could
+catch the thief; I couldn’t, and you don’t know how hard I tried. I
+never even suspected Carlos. That was the last test and I had to make it
+so strong that when you came through it there would be no further
+possible question in my mind as to your character and ability. Boy, boy,
+you’ve made good a million times over and I wish I could keep you here
+always. I would trust you with anything; you would find a way out of
+every difficulty.”</p>
+
+<p>“Do you want me to stay?” David asked, as in a dream.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, because then I could honestly feel that there was one person on
+the place worthy of my confidence.”</p>
+
+<p>“Let me see.” David was bewildered. “I must have time to think.”</p>
+
+<p>He rose to go.</p>
+
+<p>“Have your things moved over here,” Rice said as he started away. “You
+are to live with me hereafter.”</p>
+
+<p>David, however, preferred to remain with the men until he knew
+definitely what the future held in store for him. He went back to his
+quarters and there he found Miguel.</p>
+
+<p>“You are going?” the latter asked anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t know,” David replied. “But I know now what you wanted to tell
+me. I suspected it at times,<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_262">{262}</a></span> but then things got so bad I thought I
+must be mistaken. Dom Carlos was to blame.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m glad you know. Carlos was always urging me to cause you trouble.
+And then, after you knocked me down in front of the others, I became
+angry and was in earnest. I’m sorry.”</p>
+
+<p>“Never mind. It’s all over. You’re my best friend and I want you to keep
+that place.”</p>
+
+<p>The launch came the next afternoon, and after the lengthy, joyous
+greetings were over, Rice, father and son settled down to a serious
+discussion of the future.</p>
+
+<p>“You know,” the elder David said with great animation, “you have
+converted me entirely. You have opened my eyes. I am not asking you to
+come back to the city to live. On the contrary, I discovered that there
+are thousands of acres of the best land on earth lying idle right in our
+own country. I did not know it before, because living in the cramped
+city made me blind and narrow to the beauty and possibilities of the
+great outdoors. We are all going away from the dust and the grime of the
+crowded metropolis. We, too, want to see the blue sky overhead and feel
+the green grass under our feet. What do you say? I will get as much land
+as you want and put you in full control.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s too wonderful to be true.” David spoke softly. “We can talk it
+over and decide just how much we need and where it must be. But Mr. Rice
+has asked me to stay, and to tell the truth I haven’t even started yet
+to learn. You can get the land and hold it, because so far I’m not
+capable of taking charge of anything. I’ve been drifting from one thing
+<span class="pagenum"><a id="page_263">{263}</a></span>to another, neither<br>
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">doing nor learning anything of consequence. So I</span><br>
+must stay until the purpose for which I came is accomplished. When I am
+sure enough of myself to drop my anchor I’ll come back to you, and then
+we can begin the real life and the only one that’s worth while.”</p>
+
+<p class="fint">THE END</p>
+
+<div class="trans"><p><a id="transcrib"></a></p>
+<p class="c">Typographical errors corrected by the etext transcriber:</p>
+
+<p class="c">I am sorrry, but Wellman=&gt; I am sorry, but Wellman {pg 5}</p>
+
+<p class="c">Para=&gt; Pará {pg 30 x 3}</p>
+
+<p class="c">He approached cautionsly=&gt; He approached cautiously {pg 211}</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<hr class="full">
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77361 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html>
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+
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for eBook #77361
+(https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/77361)