deliver to me immediately upon its issuance. Being under
contract, I can not accept it now. The balance of the stock must be
sold for development purposes. I further agree to place the girl in a
boarding school of the first quality in the States, and to bear all
expenses of her maintenance until such time as she is either
self-supporting, or one or several of you may come to her, or effect
her return to Colombia. Now, according to Ariza's sketches, we may
proceed up the Boque river to its headwaters--how far did you say,
friend?"

"Some hundred and fifty miles from Simiti, senor," replied Rosendo.

"And then," resumed Reed, "we can cut across country from the sources
of the Boque, following what is known as Rosario creek, down to the
river Tigui, striking the latter somewhere near the ancient point
known as La Colorado."

"But, senor," interposed Rosendo, "remember that the headwaters of the
Boque are practically unknown to-day. Many years ago, when I was a
small lad, some liberated slaves worked along Rosario creek, which was
then one day's journey on foot with packs from La Colorado. But that
old trail has long since disappeared. Probably no one has been over it
since."

"Very well," returned the practical Reed, "then we shall have to make
our own trail across the divide to the Tigui. But once at La Colorado,
you tell me there is an ancient trail that leads down to Llano, on the
Nechi river?"

"Yes, to the mouth of the Amaceri. Llano was something of a town long
ago. But river steamers that go up the Nechi as far as Zaragoza once a
month, or less frequently, still touch there, I am told. And so you
can get down the Cauca to Maganguey, where you can change to a
Magdalena river boat for Calamar. Then by rail to Cartagena. The trail
to Llano can not be more than fifty miles in length, and fairly
open."

Harris, who had been studying the sketches, whistled softly. "Lord
Harry!" he muttered, "nearly two hundred miles, and all by foot, over
unspeakable jungle trails!"

Reed paid no attention to him. "Very well, then," he continued, "we
had best set out as soon as possible. To you, friend Rosendo, I leave
all arrangements regarding supplies and _cargadores_. I will furnish
funds for the entire expedition, expecting to be reimbursed by La
Libertad."

Carmen listened, with dilated eyes. As for Jose, his head swam.
Starting hurriedly after Rosendo, who rose immediately to inaugurate
preparations, he drew him into th