CHAPTER XI
On the Alert
"Now the next thing is to get boats," said Mr. Holton.
Senhor del Pereo announced that it would be possible to get them atonce, without having to have them constructed, and the explorers weredelighted.
He led them down to the river bank, where two large canoes wereaground. Each was about thirty-five feet long and capable of carryinga ton and a half of cargo with ease. Mr. Holton and Mr. Lewis wereamazed.
"They are not native canoes," Mr. Lewis said, as he noted the deep,full lines and high freeboard.
The Brazilian explained that they had been used by a party of Britishhunters on the Purus River, and were purchased when the men werethrough with them for a small sum.
"Got it all over Indian boats," remarked Bob, glancing farther down atseveral that were moored.
The Indians had accompanied them to the boats, and now Senhor delPereo introduced the ones who were to be a part of the expedition.There were six of them--three to attend to each boat. All were large,strong fellows, capable of any kind of work required by the venture,and the Brazilian assured the explorers that they could be reliedupon.
After attending to a few more matters with Senhor del Pereo, the partyset about loading their provisions and supplies in one of the boats;the other was to be used as a storeplace for the specimens they wouldcollect.
Bob and Joe did a good share of the work. Then occasionally they wouldtake motion pictures.
When the last box was lifted up, Mr. Holton gave the sign, and, withparting words with the Brazilian who had done so much for them, theygot in the foremost canoe and were paddled upstream by the crew. Atlast they were off for the unknown.
"Now for the fun," smiled Joe, as he cranked the movie camera andlooked expectantly into the green depths of the bordering jungle.
"I suppose you're referring to hunting," said Mr. Lewis. "Well, we'lldo plenty of that a little later. But first we want to penetrate alarge distance from any outposts of civilization."
At the start, the river was rather wide, but it promised to narrowlater.
They glided swiftly on for perhaps three hours. Then Mr. Lewissuggested that they stop for the noon meal. Meanwhile, the crew couldbe resting.
The boats were brought to a stop at a large sand bank, and all climbedout to stretch their legs after such a long journey in more or lessone position. Bob and Joe felt like running and shouting.
"Like to go in for a swim," said Bob, wiping the perspiration from hisstreaming brow.
"So would everyone else," returned Mr. Lewis. "But with the alligatorsand piranhas and other dangerous aquatic forms it's absurd even tothink of such a thing."
"Are they this close to the Purus?" asked Joe. "I thought they werefound deeper in the jungle."
Mr. Holton shook his head.
"Piranhas and alligators are very common all through this region," hesaid.
Mr. Holton and Mr. Lewis got out a ration of food, while Bob and Joeattended to minor tasks. Professor Bigelow looked after the plates andutensils.
In a short time the meal was prepared, and all ate in quietcontentment. The food tasted good after those three long hours ofconstant traveling.
Bob and Joe glanced at the frowning jungle, which was but a shortdistance away. It seemed to challenge the explorers to penetrate itsleafy depths, although in many places this was almost impossible.
"Quite a variety of trees," observed Bob, his eye scanning the edge."I suppose there are hundreds of different kinds."
"There are," answered Professor Bigelow. "All different kinds, frommahogany to bacaba palms. Much of the wood is worthlessly soft anduseless, but mahogany and a few others are shipped to all parts of theworld. There would be a much greater amount sent out, though, if itwere all buoyant. The fact that many of the logs are not prevents themfrom being floated downstream."
The explorers spent several minutes in the shade of a large tree,talking and chatting merrily. Then the professor suggested that theymove on, and the others were more than glad to do so.
"You're right," Mr. Lewis told the professor. "We want to cover asmuch ground as possible today."
The provisions were packed in the boat. They then boarded, to bepaddled upstream by the Indians.
There was plenty of room to move about, and the youths shifted theirpositions frequently. Not because they grew tired of the scenery,however, for at every yard there was something new to see.Bright-colored flowers lined the banks, red-leafed bushes were common,tall palms, grotesque vines, ferns, plants of all kinds that baffledthe boys. Occasionally they would pass dead branches covered withliving orchids. Then again there were trees that themselves hadflowers. Once they came to a tree over fifty feet high with wide,spreading branches that were covered with yellow blossoms.
Often the river would bend sharply, making necessary utmost caution bythe crew. On one such occasion the explorers were engaged inconversation when suddenly a loud splash from ahead made them look up.Then, as they rounded the bend, they saw something that made them jumpto their feet and grasp their rifles.