“Getting late,” he said, walking over to a box of supplies.
“Yes,” agreed Professor Bigelow. “I suggest that we turn in.”
The others agreed, and they attended to last-minute tasks.
“Ordinarily it is the Indians’ duty to stand guard,” said Mr. Lewis, glancing at the brawny crew, several of whom had fallen asleep. “But since they’ve worked hard and unflinchingly, and are nearly worn out, I suggest that we whites take turn about on this first night. We’ve had it comparatively easy all day. Then, too, it will increase their respect and liking for us. What do you think?”
“I’m all for it,” declared Professor Bigelow. “Now who is to have the first watch?”
It was decided to draw straws, the person getting the shortest to be the first guard.
By chance the short piece fell to Bob, and he took his place just outside the tents, sitting on oneof the boxes, a rifle in ready grasp. The others retired to their hammocks.
For over a half-hour Bob stared quietly into space, glancing occasionally at the sparkling river. Then he decided to change his position.
But at that moment there came a crashing sound on the far side of a group of palm trees.
The youth was on his feet at the instant, wondering what the noise meant. Then he decided to find out.
“It’s only a short distance from camp,” he thought. “There’s no harm in going over there.”
Grasping his rifle, he stole quietly in the direction of the strange commotion.
It did not take him long to reach the patch of trees. Then he wormed his way through the tall grass for a distance of perhaps twenty feet.
The next instant he shrank back, for the sight that met his eyes was fearful and repulsive.
BESIDEa patch of bushes was a large wildcat, greedily devouring the remains of a small deer. Most of the deer’s body has been torn to pieces, so that only the head remained intact. There was a terrible stare from the wide eyes that caused Bob to shudder in disgust.
The tiger-cat was evidently very hungry, for it would scarcely bite out one section when it would tear into another, crunching horribly. Occasionally it would shift its position and sample various parts of the body. It finally crouched at the stomach, and in no time stripped the flesh from the bone.
The sight was not wholly to Bob’s liking, but he could not tear himself away. After all, the occasion was not one so terrible. All wild creatures must eat, and this is the only way they know.
Bob lifted his eyes from the feast to the greatcat, and for the first time saw how beautifully marked it was. Why had he not noticed that before? Probably because he was much more impressed by the meal. The wildcat’s fur was of a light brown, spotted and barred with black and darker brown. Its abdomen was pure white, and seemed spotlessly clean. It looked about four feet long, exclusive of the tail.
“Doesn’t look very ferocious,” Bob thought, but he knew what would probably happen if the creature were to discover him in its domain.
For several minutes the feast continued, the animal’s hunger seeming to increase rather than lessen.
Suddenly there came a rustling sound from behind a low shrub.
Instantly the cat was on its feet, tail erect, eyes staring.
The rustling sound continued, and a moment later another cat of the same type leaped out into the clearing, took in its surroundings carefully, and then made for the body of the deer.
But it did not get far. A moment later the first tiger-cat crouched itself and sprang at the invader’s throat. Then a terrific combat took place, thememory of which was to remain with Bob for many years to come.
The creatures thrashed constantly about, each trying to inflict a death wound. They growled horribly, and occasionally one would cry out in pain. Sometimes they reared up on hind legs, biting and tearing fearfully. Then again they would be on top of each other, stamping and tearing to the height of their ability. For nearly five minutes the fight continued, and by now it was evident that the invader was getting the worst of it. Instead of being on the offensive it slunk back, trying in vain to ward off the assaults of its enemy. Suddenly it fell back, as a vital part was pierced. The first tiger-cat had won.
A few more minutes were spent in awaiting any further movements from the defeated, but as none came the victor resumed its feast.
“All over,” Bob muttered to himself. “A swell fight, too. I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. But say! This fellow would be a fine specimen for Dad and Mr. Lewis. I wonder if I can plug him. Don’t think the dead one will be of much use to them, it’s so badly mauled.”
The moon was still shining down brightly, andit was nearly as light as day. This was both an advantage and a disadvantage. True, it would be much easier to get a good aim at the animal, but the light would make Bob much more easily seen. Still he resolved to chance it.
Gripping his rifle firmly, he parted the bushes and rose to his feet. But the slight commotion caused the tiger-cat to turn about, and rage came into its eyes as they lighted on the youth. What was this new type of creature that had come to interrupt the feast?
Bob raised his rifle to his shoulder and awaited a chance to fire an effective shot. But none came. The great cat crouched to spring.
“I’ve got to get him,” said Bob, gritting his teeth.
Then, as the animal launched itself into the air, the youth took rapid but careful aim and fired.
The bullet sped true, entering the open mouth.
The tiger-cat fell at the boy’s feet, twitched about for a moment, and then lay still.
“Hurrah!” Bob cried, exulted beyond words. “I got him. And what a fine specimen.”
The rifle shot had aroused the rest of the expedition, and they came running out, wondering what was meant.
“What’s up?” demanded Mr. Holton, as he first caught sight of his son.
“Plenty,” Bob replied and led them to the bodies of the wildcats.
Everyone cried out in surprise and amazement at sight of the beasts.
“Ocelots,” pronounced Mr. Lewis. “I didn’t know that they were this common. How did you happen to come across them?”
Bob was obliged to relate the entire experience. He told of how he had come across one of the creatures at the body of the deer, of the thrilling combat that took place when the other ocelot arrived, and of shooting the survivor. The party listened with breathless interest, and even the Indians demanded a translation.
“An unusual happening,” said Professor Bigelow, looking at Bob in admiration and wishing that he had been present.
“Takes old Bob to do it,” smiled Joe. “And that required some nerve, too. The first wild animal he’s ever met.”
“It’s a case where the first is one of the most savage,” remarked Mr. Lewis, directing a glance atthe creature’s sharp canine teeth. “The ocelot is next only to the jaguar in ferocity and daring.”
“Not much left of the deer he was feasting on,” observed Joe. “I suppose he would have left little more than the skeleton if Bob hadn’t so rudely interrupted him.”
Mr. Holton and Mr. Lewis procured knives and began the task of skinning the creatures. It was believed that both could be used, as the one that had been previously killed was not as badly mauled as Bob had thought.
In a short time the skinning was completed, and they again retired for the night, Bob remaining throughout the remainder of his watch. Nothing more happened that night, however, and they awoke the next morning to witness a beautiful sunrise. Breakfast was soon over, and then began the task of breaking camp.
“Let’s hurry,” urged Professor Bigelow. “We want to cover twenty miles today, if possible.”
“And we will if rapids don’t bar our way,” said Mr. Lewis.
Soon the belongings were packed in the boats, and they started on up the river. Meanwhile Bob and Joe were taking motion pictures quite oftenand were always on the lookout for new sights. Many times did they regret that they had been unable to film Bob’s experience of the night before.
The men kept their time occupied in writing notes and collecting specimens, which were growing in number hourly. Already there was an abundance of game. Monkeys quite often were crowded in the trees, birds of brilliant plumage were more numerous, various small animals darted out, and once Joe caught a glimpse of a wild pig running through the underbrush.
“When are we going ashore?” asked Bob. “Looks like here is a good chance to get some specimens.”
“It undoubtedly is,” Mr. Holton returned. “And we would try our luck now if Professor Bigelow were not anxious to find a strange tribe of Indians that’s reputed to be somewhere in this region. When we locate it we can stop and stay at one spot as long as the professor chooses, for game will probably be abundant, and we will have the chance to get scores of specimens.”
That day they made nearly twenty-five miles, and all were delighted that no rapids loomed up to hinder them.
“There’s nothing that puts you at more inconvenience than rapids,” said Professor Bigelow, as they sought out a place to camp for the night.
They found the spot they wanted beside a rocky knoll, not far from the river. There was a small open space a short distance away, and to this the party made. Again preparations were made for the night, and then the evening meal was prepared.
“Let’s turn in early,” suggested Mr. Holton, after they had finished eating. “The three Indians in the back boat complained that one of the clamps for an oar is loose, and it may take quite a while to repair it. For that reason we must be up early in the morning.”
The clamp, they discovered later, had been split through, making it necessary to carve out a new one. To do this was not easy, for suitable wood had to be cut and measurements taken. All told, there was a delay of over three hours.
“Now let’s go,” urged Professor Bigelow, his patience almost exhausted.
Day after day the miles were laid behind them in both a pleasant and disagreeable manner. In times when treacherous rapids offered a hindrance,they struggled unflinchingly, often knee deep in the water or mud. But there were chances for relaxation, when there was nothing to do but take it easy in the high seats of the boats. Bob and Joe could not fully realize that they were not in a dream but that this was the real thing—a wild, untamed land in the very heart of vast Amazonia.
“It’s great, Joe, old boy,” said Bob, when over a week had passed. “I’ve often visualized this expedition, but my expectations are far surpassed.”
One morning when they were paddling swiftly along, Professor Bigelow uttered a cry of delight and pointed to the bank.
“Indians!” he cried excitedly. “At last we’ve found a band of Indians!”
PROFESSORBigelow was right. On the shore not far away were a dozen or more native huts, grouped in a cluster about one that was larger and more carefully built. All about on the ground were various objects of daily life, such as wooden machetes, pots and kettles of clay, pieces of wood, and hides and skins of animals. But, strain their eyes as they did, the explorers could see no Indians.
The explorers were uncertain as to whether it would be safe to go ashore, but finally Professor Bigelow resolved to take the chance. He was as excited as a boy, and seemed not able to wait until the boats could be turned to the river bank.
The crew, however, were a bit dubious about the venture into an unknown village. They had heard stories of how explorers had been massacred by savage Indians, and as they had never been faras this upstream, they were at a loss to know how the strange tribe would treat them.
Still if the strange scientist was bound to hazard it they would go, although they would be ready for instant flight if necessary.
The boats were brought up alongside the bank and made secure to small trees. Then the explorers climbed out and looked about.
“An ideal site for a village,” said Joe, glancing about.
“Trust the natives to pick out the best spots,” said Bob.
Slowly and cautiously they walked toward the village, gripping their rifles tightly. When within a short distance from the foremost hut they stopped, and the professor, who had studied the languages spoken in this region, called out loudly in the native tongue—or rather what he thought to be the native tongue.
There was no answer, and the explorers proceeded on into the habitation.
“No signs of life anywhere,” said Professor Bigelow.
“Perhaps another tribe invaded and killed the inhabitants,” suggested Mr. Lewis, glancing about.
“No,” disagreed the professor. “There is evidence that the place has been recently inhabited. For instance, look at those ashes over there,” pointing to a place where a fire had been built. “They are not very old. I know the signs. We can look for the tribe at almost any time now.”
“Seems strange that the women and children went away too,” said Mr. Holton, almost unbelievingly.
“They often do it,” answered the professor. “The women, you see, do almost as much as the men. In many cases they do much more. They many times go along on excursions into the forest to carry the weapons and the trophies of the hunt. And as this is a rather small settlement, we can take that for granted.”
“When do you think they’ll return?” asked Bob.
“That is hard to say,” was the reply. “It is all according to how long they have been out. They may be back in a few hours, or it may be a week. But,” he added, “I am all for waiting. The chances are we’ll be all right.”
They explored the huts and found them to be very substantially built. There were few pieces offurniture in them, but the largest hut, which was undoubtedly the chief’s, contained several articles of interest to the visitors. There were brightly decorated pots and kettles, carved sticks, jaguar hides, spears and clubs, bows and arrows and blowguns.
“Quite an elaborate display of implements,” remarked Joe, examining a blowgun with interest. This weapon was about ten feet long, round and tapering, and covered with a glossy substance resembling glue. At each end it was bound with heavy cord made from vines. A quiver of arrows was attached to it, and, with utmost care lest they be poisoned, he took one out. It was about three feet long and sharp as a needle.
There were many other objects of domestic use lying and hanging about, and they were examined especially by Professor Bigelow, who had found himself in an anthropologist’s paradise. Baskets, closely woven from a strange type of straw, were filled with farina; bone tubes for snuffing were strewn about, and many kinds of ornaments hung on wooden pegs.
Bob’s attention was attracted to a kind of necklace,which was strung with the teeth of some wild animal—unless, but this was hardly probable, they were human teeth.
“Not human,” smiled Mr. Holton. “Can’t you tell a monkey’s molars when you see them?”
“Sorry, but I’m not as much of a naturalist and zoölogist as you are,” laughed Bob.
Meanwhile Joe was cranking the movie camera, filming the entire village. As a matter of fact he had been engaged in doing this since they first sighted the village.
“These ought to be interesting scenes,” he confided to Bob, as the two walked toward the river bank.
“They will be,” was the reply. “Tend to break the monotony of the constant river-traveling.”
At the shore they found several native canoes tethered to trees. They were mere dugouts, but they looked staunch and strong enough to stem almost any current.
The youths spent several more minutes at the bank; then they made their way back to the others.
“What’d you find?” asked Mr. Lewis.
“Only native canoes,” Bob answered. “Only——”
He stopped and listened. What was that he had heard?
Again it came to his ears, this time louder and nearer.
“Sounds like someone’s shouting,” said Joe. “Sounds like——”
“Indians!” cried Professor Bigelow. “The Indians are returning!”
“QUICK!Let’s get to the boats at once!” cried Mr. Holton. “It won’t do for them to find us here in the village.”
The explorers hastened to the river bank with all the speed they could put into their legs. Not until they were safe in the boats did they draw a breath. Then they cast glances about the shore.
The shouting grew louder, and the next moment twenty-five or thirty semi-naked Indians burst into the clearing and made for the huts. But one that was evidently the chief called them back and pointed to the river, where the explorers’ canoes were moored.
“Now’s the time to act,” muttered Professor Bigelow, getting out of the boat.
He strode up to within fifty feet of the Indians, throwing his hands apart in a gesture of friendliness.Then he called out something that the other whites did not understand.
Immediately there was a turmoil of excited chattering, in which the chief took the biggest part. Then the latter called back to the professor, who listened eagerly. In the end there was a smile on his face.
“It’s all right,” he said to the explorers, beckoning them to come ashore.
“Sure there’s no danger?” asked Mr. Lewis.
“It will be safe. The chief welcomed us into the village.”
Mr. Holton was the first one out of the boat, followed by Joe, Mr. Lewis, and Bob. The crew trailed.
They did not think it wise to bring their rifles, for the Indians might suspect them. But each had a revolver in his holster, and it was Mr. Lewis who warned them to be on the lookout for any treachery.
Professor Bigelow waited for them to come nearer. Then he led the way into the village.
For several minutes he carried on conversation with the chief and seemed to have little or no trouble in understanding him. The Indian regardedhim soberly most of the time, but at several of the professor’s remarks he smiled broadly.
“The professor’s building up a feeling of good will,” grinned Bob, a new glow of respect for the scientist coming over him.
“He’ll manage those savages all right,” said Mr. Holton, as he recalled some of the encounters with savage people that had been told of Professor Bigelow.
The conversation ended with an introduction of the other whites to the Indians, and after a few more casual remarks Professor Bigelow resolved to tell why they were there.
While the remainder of his party waited in ignorance of what was being said, he related the details of the expedition: why it had been organized, what its purposes were, and where it intended to explore. All this he put in the simple language of the natives, and although it was difficult to convey many ideas correctly, he succeeded admirably.
The chief’s answer was that he and his people would furnish information about their daily life, and, if the whites so desired, they would also help in getting specimens. The big Indian stressed thepoint that these were the first white people he had ever seen, although several of the older members of the tribe had met a party of them many years ago.
Professor Bigelow translated what had been said, and the naturalists were joyous. They could gain many things by remaining here with these simple people.
As soon as the novelty had worn off, the chief, whose name was Otari, escorted the party to one big hut, where they were to remain at night during their stay at the village.
“Plenty of room here,” observed Joe, glancing about the thatched walls.
“Yes,” Bob agreed. “Not a bit crowded. It’s one of the best dwellings in the settlement.”
Much room as there was, however, there were only a few pieces of native furniture and implements. A large box-like table, assembled with wooden pegs, stood in the middle of the room. Beneath it were five or six clay pots and containers, each washed clean. In one corner were two bows and arrows and a blow gun.
“They sure use poor taste in furnishing ahouse,” grinned Bob. “But I suppose for them it’s sufficient.”
Professor Bigelow thought it wise to bring in their belongings from the boats, but the others were a bit dubious about the safety of them.
“We can leave the crew to guard them when we are away,” he said. “I don’t think even that will be necessary, for I have a light, portable safe that I take on all expeditions such as this.”
He opened a large box and took out several flat pieces of metal. To his friends’ astonishment they were easily lifted, although they looked to weigh seventy pounds each.
“They are magnalium,” he explained. “About the lightest and strongest metal there is.”
There were lock clamps at the edges of each piece, and these were fitted into each other. In a short time a large safe stood before their eyes.
Bob gasped in astonishment.
“That’s a new one on me,” he confessed. “Never heard of anything like it.”
“It’s also new to me,” said Mr. Lewis. “I knew there were such safes, but heretofore I have never seen one.”
“But,” hesitated Mr. Holton, “what kind of anexplanation will we give the Indians? It occurs to me that they would take this as a kind of insult. Might get it in their heads that we thought they would steal something.”
“Restrain yourself from worrying about that,” the professor consoled him. “I’ve used this before many times. As an explanation, we’ll simply say that the safe is a place to store the belongings where we can have them easily at hand. Then, too, it will prevent any of the children from curiously straying into our hut to meddle with things. I’ve never yet had any trouble.”
The safe was large enough to hold the professor’s typewriter, paper, a few books, and various other essential objects. In addition, there was room for rifles, ammunition, knives and preparations used in skinning, and several other articles that it was best to lock up.
“It’s just the thing,” remarked Joe. “Now we can be sure that valuable possessions will always be here when we get back from a hunting trip.”
“I will probably spend most of my time in here writing and conversing with the natives,” Professor Bigelow said. “So when you are out you can be doubly sure that things will be all right.”
It was now about meal time, and the chief wanted to bring the explorers dishes of native food, but they thanked him, saying that they would use their own provisions.
“For my part I don’t care for any of their delicacies,” grinned Joe. “You can never tell what you’re getting.”
“True enough,” laughed Mr. Holton. “For that reason we’ll stick to our own grub.”
After lunching bountifully, the explorers rested on the straw beds and felt much better for it. When an hour had passed, Mr. Holton rose and walked over to the supplies.
“Let’s go out specimen-collecting,” he suggested, getting out a rifle and small shotgun.
Bob and Joe were on their feet in an instant, their faces radiant with delight. At last had come a chance to explore the jungle, with its many thrills, wonders, and tragedies. How they had longed for it!
“Can’t get there any too soon for me,” said Bob, grasping his rifle.
Mr. Lewis also agreed, and they started out toward the back of the village, Bob and Joe in the lead.
There was a fairly well blazed trail at the edge of the last hut, and the hunters resolved to follow it.
“Probably won’t be much large game along this path, but there will undoubtedly be others branching off from it,” remarked Mr. Holton, as he took the lead and plunged into the jungle.
That jungle interested the youths immensely, for the variety of tropical vegetation was wide. Trees of all types grew one beside another, their leaves coming in contact with each other. Many of the trunks were encircled with parasitic vines, which, in many cases, caused the trees to be stunted. All about on the ground were shrubs and bushes and tall grass that hindered walking.
“Have to be careful here,” warned Mr. Lewis, carefully avoiding a low shrub studded with sharp-pointed thorns.
“Right,” agreed Bob’s father. “Keep a ready hand on your rifles, for there are countless creatures that may be dangerous.”
Although the jungle seemed thick at the start, it was nothing to what they found it later on. Vegetation was certainly dense. Large clusters of ferns barred the way, their enormous leaves suggestingforests of prehistoric times. Gay flowers loomed up here and there, tempting the hunters to stop and marvel at their beauty. Oddly shaped plants were numerous, among them being a stalk that grew straight up for a distance of perhaps ten feet, then spliced and fell to the ground in several places.
Bob and Joe had expected much, but this was beyond any of their anticipations. Nature was certainly bountiful in displaying her art in these little-known places.
After a fifteen-minute hike they reached a region of thick bushes, many of which bore sharp-pointed thorns that were far from pleasant to encounter. Even with their heavy clothing, they emerged with torn garments and with bruises that stung and pained severely. But the unpleasantness was lost before the many tropical wonders that presented themselves.
Suddenly a flock of white birds flew overhead, and Mr. Lewis and Bob fired their shotguns together. At once four fell to the ground, amid the terrible screeching of the others.
“Egrets,” said Mr. Holton, upon examining the birds.
As the hunters moved on they added many other birds and small animals to the collection. One of the most remarkable of the latter was a large ant-bear, with a long, slender head that terminated into a toothless mouth. The creature was about four feet long, with a bushy tail protruding another two feet.
Bob and Joe did their part in the specimen-collecting, and they at once won the recognition of their elders for their accurate shooting. Bob was especially praised, for he was not far behind the men in marksmanship.
The hunters had been out several hours when Mr. Lewis suggested that they get back to the village.
“Professor Bigelow and the others may worry about us,” he said. “In my opinion we have been out long enough for the first time.”
The others agreed, and they were about to retrace their footsteps when Joe caught sight of something that turned his blood cold.
PROTRUDINGfrom a tree bough not ten feet away was a long, sinister snake, its evil eyes glistening in what little sunlight penetrated the dense jungle. Whether it was poisonous Joe did not know, but he knew that even though it were not it would be dangerous to the extreme.
As cautiously as possible he nudged his companions, and then the naturalists held their rifles tighter. Here, only a short distance away, was a jararaca, one of the most poisonous of Brazilian reptiles—a snake that often was known to take the aggressive.
For a moment there was silence—an ominous silence that ended in a blood-curdling hiss.
Mr. Holton and Mr. Lewis raised their rifles and took long and careful aim. Bob followed suit, although he was not sure that his aim would be true.
Then, just as the snake prepared to strike, the men fired simultaneously, and Bob pulled the trigger a second later.
In such a crisis it was necessary that their bullets take effect, and they did.
The reptile’s head was shattered into a horrible pulp that was all but sickening, and the great body lashed about in pain. For several minutes the movements continued; then, as life faded out, the snake became less active, finally stretching out into one last mass.
“Whew!” breathed Bob, relaxing for the first time. “That was some encounter.”
Mr. Holton nodded in affirmation.
“If we had been stung by those terrible fangs it would have been the last of us,” he said, casting a resentful look in that direction.
“The venom is extremely powerful,” remarked Mr. Lewis, wiping the perspiration from his brow. “It is yellow in color, and takes effect almost immediately. The nervous system becomes paralyzed in a very short time.”
“A pleasant way to die—I don’t think,” muttered Joe, shrugging his shoulders.
They made a wide circle about the reptile’s body and started on the return journey.
“I’d like to have it as a specimen,” remarked Mr. Lewis, referring to the jararaca. “But in its shattered condition it would not be worth the taking.”
The hunters rested awhile under the shade of a large hardwood tree, whose branches extended out over a great distance. Then Mr. Holton took up his belongings, and the others did the same.
Gradually the jungle became less dense, and at last they came to the village, where they were given a hearty greeting by the Indians, who were glad to see the hunters back in the village. They found Professor Bigelow in the hut, his hands flying over the keys of the typewriter.
At first he did not notice them, thinking they were Indians, but finally he lifted his gaze.
“What kind of luck did you have?” he inquired absently.
The others hesitated a moment at the professor’s almost unconscious question. It was evident that the anthropologist was becoming deeply absorbed in this work of observing the daily life of the little-known Indians. Then, with a wink at the others, Mr. Holton decided on a preposterous answer to see how the professor would take it.
“We brought down two tigers and an elephant,” he said, in as sober tones as he could summon.
“Hmm. Well, that’s fine”—the typewriter still clicked rapidly. “I suppose you’ll have them skinned at once?”
Bob and Joe could not help breaking out in laughter, and the naturalists joined them. Professor Bigelow looked up in surprise.
“I must confess I wish I could see something humorous,” he said, stopping his writing for a moment and looking at his companions in wonder.
The others were laughing all the harder now, and poor Professor Bigelow was bewildered beyond words. Only an explanation would satisfy him.
As soon as Mr. Holton could regain his breath he hastened to assure the professor that it was nothing about his person that caused the laugh, but only his intense scientific enthusiasm. He joined in the merriment also when the joke was told.
“That’s one on me,” he said mirthfully. “I guess I was too deeply engrossed in this manuscript.”
The remainder of that day was spent rather idly, for, hot as it had previously been, it seemed togrow all the more stifling. Bob remarked that he did not feel like doing anything but loafing, and the others were none different.
The next day Bob, Joe, and their fathers again started out on a collecting trip and added many new specimens to the already large assemblage. They brought in gorgeously colored macaws, screamers, woodpeckers, trumpeters, finfoots, waxbills, and many other birds. They shot many small animals, including a type of opossum, a large lizard, and an armadillo. It was indeed a large number of specimens that the naturalists prepared that night.
“So far, everything is working out fine,” smiled Mr. Lewis, as he put the fauna up for exhibition.
Meanwhile the chief, Otari, was helping Professor Bigelow as best he could and gave him several articles of daily use as a present, in return for which the professor gave the Indian beads and mirrors and other objects dear to all primitive people.
“I have enough material now to write several books,” the professor said joyfully. “The museum certainly will welcome this information. And these articles that the chief gave me—well, they will tickle the museum heads greatly.”
Time tended to increase rather than lessen the number of daily interests to the explorers, and they found themselves living as in a dream. The great tropical forest about them added an enchantment to the work, and the simple, primitive people that they were living with caused them to imagine themselves living in prehistoric times.
“It’s great, Joe, old boy,” said Bob, deeply stirred. “Who would have ever thought that away out here in the wilderness it would be possible to come across things so interesting?”
“Yet,” said Joe, “I suppose they wouldn’t be interesting to everyone.”
One day, when the party had been at the Indian village nearly a week, Bob and Joe asked permission to go into the forest and try their luck at getting specimens.
“All right,” Mr. Holton replied. “But don’t get too far away.”
Bob picked out a rifle and Joe a small shotgun, and after parting words with their elders they made for the jungle.
The trail was one that they had never taken, and it was consequently necessary to be doubly careful to pick the right branch. But they had littledifficulty, as the main path was much wider than the branches.
In no time they were engulfed by the jungle, which was here even thicker than they had previously found it. Monkeys were more numerous in the tree boughs, and they peered doubtfully at the white hunters who had invaded their land.
Joe raised his shotgun and brought several down, intent upon leaving them at the spot until they would return to the village.
“So far, so good,” remarked Bob. “Wonder what else we’ll come across?”
“Time will tell,” Joe replied.
On and on they trekked, keeping a sharp lookout on all sides. Once Bob lost his footing and went sprawling on the ground.
“Better be more careful,” warned Joe.
Suddenly there came a loud snort, and the youths were on the alert at the instant.
Gripping their guns tightly, they stopped and waited.
Again it came, and the next minute they caught sight of a wild pig, or peccary, rustling the tall grass not far away.
“Keep still,” whispered Bob, raising his rifle.“Maybe I can get him. Then we can have meat—and his hide as a specimen.”
Several moments Bob spent in taking careful aim. Then he pulled the trigger.
Bang! Oink! Oink! Silence.
“Hurrah!” cried Joe. “Killed him dead as a doornail. Now to get his——”
He stopped suddenly as he caught sight of something that froze him with horror. Not fifty feet down the path rushed a drove of peccaries numbering at least twenty.
“RUN!”cried Bob in tones of mortal terror.
He tore down the path at full speed, closely followed by Joe, who was panting furiously.
The youths had a start of less than fifty feet, but how long they could keep in the lead they well knew, for hardly any creature, large or small, could elude the tireless chase of peccaries.
They dared not glance back for fear of stumbling, but feared that the wild pigs were gaining rapidly.
What would the boys do? How could they ever escape that furious drove?
Suddenly Joe’s foot slipped and he went down, his face as pale as death. He looked appealingly to Bob.
Bob wheeled about and brought his rifle to his shoulder. The nearest peccary was not more thanten feet away. The youth took hasty aim, then pulled the trigger.
At the report of the gun the animal fell, gasping and writhing about.
Bob worked the bolt on his rifle. He took a second aim at the next peccary and killed it.
For a moment, at least, the jungle was cleared, and by now Joe had arisen to his feet, although the pain in his ankle was terrific.
“Come on,” beckoned Bob. “We must get away at once. The rest of them will be here in a moment. Can you make it?”
“I—I guess so. My ankle hurts terribly, though.”
Not far away there was a large hollow, the place where the roots of a tree had been before a hurricane had uprooted them. To this the boys made with all speed. If they could only reach it in time there might be a chance of escape, for the peccaries would find it hard to climb the steep bank.
The youths scrambled down the edge and tumbled to the bottom. Then they began the task of climbing the opposite side. They reached the top just as the drove started down, and for the first time felt that they had a good chance of escaping.
“Make for the trail,” panted Joe. “Then we might get back to the village.”
They kept up the fast pace for a distance of several hundred yards, and then, panting and gasping, they slowed down to a trot.
“Guess we’ve thrown them off the track,” breathed Joe, hobbling along almost on one foot.
“Let’s hope so,” Bob answered, glancing around for a brief moment.
At last they parted the foliage and burst into the village, their faces red with fatigue, their bodies dripping with perspiration.
Mr. Lewis came out to meet them, and he glanced up in some surprise.
“What happened?” he asked, sensing that the youths had met with some misfortune.
“Peccaries!” returned Bob. “A drove of peccaries! Doesn’t that mean something?”
“Ah!” the naturalist exclaimed. “Well, it’s no wonder you’re so worn out. Let’s hear about it.”
Mr. Holton and Professor Bigelow now came running out, along with a few Indians.
Bob related their narrow escape from the wild pigs, and Mr. Holton shook his head gravely.
“You don’t want any more such encounters,” hesaid. “Good luck like that couldn’t happen twice.”
“At that, we would have got away sooner if Joe hadn’t sprained his ankle,” said Bob.
“A sprained ankle is a bad thing to have when in a wild land,” said Professor Bigelow, with a grim smile. “It often proves one’s own undoing. But now,” he added, “I’m off to converse with the chief. I’m getting a wealth of information about these strange people.”
But though he was meeting with success, the professor was destined not to be satisfied in prolonging his stay in this village. It happened in this way. The explorers were seated about the campfire one evening when the chief happened casually to mention a strange Indian tribe that lived in the remote beyond. At once the anthropologist was on the alert, ready to hear anything that Otari might say.
“Tell me something about them,” urged the scientist in the native tongue.
The chief explained that little was known about the tribe, except that the members were extremely warlike and did not hesitate to kill anyone that looked to be an enemy. Often they were cannibalistic, boiling their victims in huge clay kettles.Asked how he knew about them, Otari replied that one of his tribe, a born rover and adventurer, happened to come across them when on an exploring expedition in the upper reaches of the river. At first he was taken prisoner but was later released and allowed to return down the river.
For nearly five minutes after Otari had finished, Professor Bigelow was thoughtfully silent, absorbed in picturing the journey into the unknown. How wonderful it would be to visit this strange tribe! What an opportunity to win recognition from eminent men of his profession!
“How far away is this place?” he asked at last.
How far? A journey of many, many days through wild, heavily forested country. It would not be safe to attempt the journey.
The professor then asked the chief how he thought the unknown tribe would treat the explorers, and the big Indian shook his head doubtfully.
“Otanima turutee nevark[take big chance],” he said vaguely, and then proceeded to point out the many dangers that would accompany the venture.
But despite the Indian’s warning, Professor Bigelow was determined to investigate this unknowntribe. It was more than likely that Otari was influenced by native superstition and that the dangers that he feared were largely imaginative. After all he (Professor Bigelow) had looked up many other strange people in various parts of the world and had had little difficulty in winning their good will. Even the wildest of savages, if well treated and presented with gifts, were more or less easily won over. Surely this tribe would not be worse than others he had visited.
Professor Bigelow sought out his companions and put the facts before them, not hesitating to tell them that the venture would probably be dangerous and fraught with displeasures. But he pointed out much stronger that there would be a wonderful opportunity to study the most primitive of men, in addition to finding many strange, or perhaps unknown, animals.
The others listened intently, and in the end they were very thoughtful.
Bob and Joe remained silent. Here was a time when they thought it best not to voice an opinion, for they had had no experience in the work of exploring.
“If it were not for the fact that the boys arewith us I would answer ‘yes’ at once,” said Mr. Lewis. “But since they are, I hardly know what to say.”
“It would be terrible if anything should happen to them,” put in Mr. Holton. “But they have proven that they are able to take care of themselves in almost any predicament, and we wouldn’t need to worry about them. Still, that wouldn’t prevent anything from happening to the whole party. Yet Professor Bigelow has shown that he has an enormous amount of ability to handle savage people, and I’d be willing to bet that in the end we’d come out all right. What do you think of it, Ben?”
“I’m willing to go if you are,” Mr. Lewis replied. “As you said, we’ll probably have little or no trouble.”
“Then you’ll go?” the professor asked.
The others nodded.
“Fine! I assure you that I will do all in my power to bring about friendly relations. And I might add that Otari has consented to give me a list of words of the strange tribe’s language. He got them from the fellow that wandered into their domain.
“Now the next thing,” he continued, “is to get our belongings together and pack them in the boats. You can start doing that now, while I look up Otari. I’ll be back in a very short time.”
The next minute he was gone, and the naturalists and their sons began the task of packing their provisions in the boats. For some time no one spoke. Then Mr. Lewis put down a box he was carrying and turned to the others.
“We don’t want to have any bloodshed if we can possibly prevent it,” he said gravely. “But there may be a time when we’ll find it necessary to use our rifles in order to protect our lives. In that case, every man must be depended upon to be wide awake and do his part in the shooting. Let’s hope that nothing like that happens, but as there is a possibility, it is best to be on the safe side. I think it might be wise to construct sides and a top on the boats, so as to ward off spears and poisoned arrows—if any should come our way. We can get the Indians to help us, and Otari will point out the best wood to use. What do you say?”
“I’m all for it,” replied Bob. “It might mean the difference between life and death.”
Professor Bigelow and Otari now came in, andthe plan was explained to them. At once the professor gave his approval, and translated to the chief, who in the end sent men into the forest to pick out the best wood to be used in building the enclosure. Then the work of carrying the expedition’s belongings to the boats was resumed.
In a short time the Indians were back with a good supply of a light but tough wood, and the adventurers at once set to work at building the sides and top on the boats.
First the sides were built up to a height of about three feet; then a top was placed over about half of the length and fastened on securely. The material was so light that no difference in the standing of the boat was noticed. Yet Otari said that the tough wood would withstand a blow from any kind of native weapon. To prove this, he ordered one of his men to shoot an arrow at close range, and the sharp-pointed missile merely glanced off the wood and fell into the river.
The explorers were well pleased with this floating fort, and stood for some time admiring its staunch construction.
“Now to get to the other boat,” said Mr. Lewis, picking up a hammer and nails.
In less than an hour the second enclosure was built on the other canoe, and it appealed also to the explorers.
“Let’s get started at once,” said Professor Bigelow.
The last of their belongings was packed into the compartments, and then, with a sincere farewell to Otari and his tribe, the crew paddled them upstream on another stretch of the great river journey.
What new adventures and thrills awaited them?
ITdid not take the explorers long to pass a group of islands not far upstream, one of the landmarks that Otari had told them about, and as the islands were a number of miles from the village, they felt that they were making a rapid start.
The country was gradually becoming wilder and more beautiful, but with this came an increase in the number of dangerous obstacles that had to be avoided. On the shore the jungle was denser than they had ever seen it before. In many places, to attempt to penetrate its depths would be difficult and perilous, and disaster would come upon anyone who would not blaze a trail.
The variety of fauna was still greater, and many new specimens did the naturalists add to their already large collection. Birds and beasts and reptiles all fell at the report of the explorers’ rifles.
Finally they came to a wide tributary, which forged off from the main stream, making the two rivers form a perfect V. This was the second of Otari’s landmarks, and the explorers felt that another important distance had been covered.
“The current’s rather rough,” said Bob, his eyes following the course of the tributary.
The explorers passed the stream by, not thinking it wise to chance an exploration of it.
The next day their adventurous spirits proved their own undoing. They had been paddling constantly after the morning meal when suddenly they came upon another tributary, this time branching out at right angles from the main stream. There was something about that river that made the explorers want to follow its rough course.
“Probably doesn’t continue far,” was the opinion given by Mr. Holton. “Let’s turn the boats up for a considerable distance. We may come across something totally different.”
The others agreed, for there was a possibility of finding almost anything in this out-of-the-way tributary.
“But we must not stray too far from theTapauá,” warned Professor Bigelow, as the crew turned the boats in that direction.
For the first hour the country remained much the same. Then they reached a region where rocky crags protruded out from the shore, making it necessary for the crew to be doubly careful in guiding the boats. And with this danger came the possibility of another, for the current was growing stronger. A terrific rapids could be only a short distance downstream. At last, much to the surprise of all, they came to another river, running at right angles to the one they were on.
A thought struck Bob.
“Do you remember that tributary we passed yesterday that formed a V with the Tapauá?” he asked. “Well, I’ll bet this is it. It runs almost parallel with the Tapauá, and we’ve come upon it by taking this course that runs at right angles.”
“By George, you may be right,” agreed Mr. Lewis, suddenly grasping the meaning. “What say we turn down it and see if Bob isn’t right? If he is we’ll gradually fork over to the Tapauá and be where we were yesterday afternoon.”
The others did not object, for they were curious to know whether or not Bob was right.
The current gradually grew stronger, carrying the boats ahead at a much swifter pace. Although this afforded the crew a chance to rest, it worried the explorers, for it was plain that a rapids was somewhere ahead.
They paddled on, however, confident that they were not near enough to be in danger.
“We’ll continue for a while,” said Mr. Holton. “Then we may be able to find out what is ahead of us.”
The words had scarcely left his mouth when the boats rounded a corner, not two hundred feet above a seething, boiling rapids, its waters rushing madly past protruding rocks.
There was no time to lose. Something must be done at once!
“Stop the boats!” cried Mr. Lewis in Portuguese to the crew.
The Indians heard, and struggled with all their might against the rapidly increasing current, but their efforts were in vain. The boats had gained too much momentum.
The cruel water carried them on at terrific speed, which was increased several fold when they went into the rapids. Then they realized that therewas little use trying to stop. The forces of man were puny indeed compared to that terrific onslaught of foam.
“Make for the middle of the stream!” commanded Mr. Holton. “Even then it will tax our efforts to the utmost.”
The whites grabbed poles and what other objects they could find and did their part in keeping the foremost boat at as near the middle of the river as they could. But even with the added help it was extremely difficult to guide straight.
The crew had the paddles, and they were doing their best to steer the boats away from the banks. They succeeded fairly well, for the river was still several score feet wide.
But grave misfortune awaited them.
Not far away was a small island, stretching several hundred feet along the course of the river. The distance between the river bank and the island shore was little more than twenty feet, hardly room enough for the boats to get through. And to make matters worse, there were several large boulders protruding near the bank. Disaster seemed almost certain!
In the face of this grave danger the explorersremained calm, determining to save themselves and the boats if it were at all possible. But how?
With sinking hearts they saw the boats head directly for the rocks, where they would immediately be dashed to pieces.
“We must—we’ve got to do something!” cried Professor Bigelow, rapidly losing his nerve.
Bob and Joe were nearest the bank, and anything that could be done was up to them.
Summoning all his power, Joe thrust a sturdy pole into the roots of a large tree that grew almost in the water. He little expected anything to come of the act, but it was a last resort.
Much to the surprise and relief of all, the sudden impact forced the boat back into midstream, although Joe was nearly thrown overboard by the clash.
Bob drew a sigh of relief. A narrow escape! Perhaps the closest they would ever be to death and yet evade it.
But what of the other boat? The whites were so intent upon guiding the one they were in that they completely forgot about the one that trailed.
They quickly glanced around, to see that it had escaped also, and was dashing along behind. Howthe good luck was brought about they never knew.
“That was a wonderful act on your part,” praised Mr. Holton, turning a moment to Joe.
The latter shook his head.
“Don’t know how I happened to think of it,” he said modestly. “I didn’t expect any good from it, though.”
The others also took part in the commendation, and Joe was glad to turn the conversation to their present predicament.
“Looks like we have a fair chance now,” he remarked, glancing far ahead.
Then suddenly they struck a seething whirlpool and were spun around broadside to the terrific current.