To proceed was impossible, and braving the risk, the boat was rowed
beneath the overhanging branches of one of the monarchs of the primeval
forest which reached its limbs far out over the stream, and there,
somewhat protected, the boat was moored. For quite a couple of hours
the little party crouched in the bottom, aiding the shelter by spreading
the sail over the awning, the men holding on to keep the canvas from
being swept off by the howling gale, while the rain poured off in
buckets-full, as the men said.

Then a new danger attacked them. The stream swelled and swelled till
the boat rose feet higher and was forced in among the low-hanging
branches, while the great risk now was that they might be swept out and
along the furious torrent into which the sluggish river had been turned.

But just as it seemed impossible to hold on any longer, and when the
forest on either side had become river too, the rain ceased as suddenly
as it had begun, the wind dropped, and the clouds began to pass away,
while in less than an hour the sun was shining brightly down, and huge
clouds of steam floated over the flooded land.

It was impossible to cast off from their mooring, for every man agreed
that to follow the course of the rushing water would mean that they
would be swept away from the river and in all probability be capsized
before they had gone many hundred yards.

There was nothing for it, then, but to bale hard and free the boat from
water, wring out and try to dry their saturated garments, and do what
they could in the way of drying the sail and awning, in the hope that
the flood would soon pass away.

Fortunately Cross was soon able to announce that the water was sinking,
and this continued so rapidly that before many hours had passed they
were able to put off once more into the stream, which had pretty well
returned to the limits of its banks; and the drying of their clothes and
of such stores as had suffered followed in rapid course.

But it was a disheartening commencement of their journey back to the
main river, and darkness fell upon a desolate and terribly depressed
company, who passed the night of solitude and despair wondering what had
happened at the anchorage where the brig had been left careened.

Rodd had tried to whisper comfort to his comrade, but only to be met
with imploring words, the lad begging to be allowed to sit and think;
and Rodd respected his prayer.

No better fortune attended him with