The Land of Mystery

ing four white men and three natives, came to a halt a thousand miles from the mighty A

the Amazon, from whose majestic volume the little party of explorers had turned southward more than a month before. The broad sail, which was erected in the centre of the craft, swept it smoothly along over the narrow

the curious articles of the savages. Endless varieties of fruit were so abundant that it was to be had for the simple trouble of

igh hills, they peeped out from their coverts, uttering strange cries and indulging in grotesque gestures, the meaning of which could hardly be mistaken. Had there been any misapprehension on the part of the visitors, there was none after several scores launched their arrows at the boat, as it glided away

ted, muscular New Englander in middle life, and Aaron Johnston, a grim, reserved but powerful sailor from New Bedford, who had spent most of his

warm, tropical climate wore no clothing except a strip of native cloth around the loins. Ashman had striven to teach them the use of firearms, but they could never overcome the terror caused by the jet of fire and the thunderous explosion when th

eam. Consequently they had recourse to the broad-bladed oars, with which they drove the canoe swiftly against the resisting river, cheered by the oft-repeated declaration of the Professor, who

boat and its contents from the ground, carry it round the obstruction to the more favorable current above. These portages v

or, as the prow of the boat was turned toward the left b

duty so well that, without suggestion from the others, they leaped into the shallow waters, ran a few steps, and, grasping the f

of the water, in quest of fuel. This of course was so abundant that the work was slight, but since Professo

After a brief consultation, it was decided that the Professor and Jared Long should make their way up the river, keeping close to shore, with the purpose of learning the extent of the rapids, while Ashman and the sailor, Johnston, should follow the

was to be back in camp at the end of an hour, by which time night would be fairly upon

g the course of the Xingu, while their two friends quickly vanished in

he inhabitants of some village near at hand, though it was possible that the innumerable feet of wild animals on their way to and from the ri

d to learn very soon, and the experience of the couples who took rou

and luggage to the smoother waters above. It was apparent that the river frequently overflowed its banks, for immense quantities of driftwood lined both shores, while the vege

t each other with the utmost fury, sending the spray high in air and sweeping forward with such impetuosity that it seemed impossible for the

ey leaped high out of the waters, like immense sea monsters, the out-spreading limbs showing a startling resemblance to the arms of a drowning person mutely appealing for help. Then a heavy trunk would strike a rock