le, to which
the tug responded, and steamed down the river. His intention was to
maintain a moderate speed, passing Zalapata without stop, and to make
the first halt at San Luis, which ought to be reached some time during
the night.

The Captain did not forget one important fact. While he had been
fortunate in ascending the forked river, he had the slightest possible
knowledge of it. The utmost circumspection was necessary on his part.
The stream was broad and deep, but it had its snags, its "sawyers"
like the Mississippi, and its dangerous shoals and shallow places. An
experienced pilot can generally locate such spots by the crinkling
circles at the surface, but there was a certain risk which would
baffle even Captain Ortega. Below San Luis, the river so broadened
and deepened, and was so comparatively free from obstructions that
practically all peril would be left behind.

Captain Winton strove unremittingly to keep the channel, though that
was not always possible. His good fortune in coming up the stream gave
him confidence of making the down trip in safety. Fifteen minutes
after expressing this belief to Major Starland, the bow of the yacht
suddenly rose several feet, there was a quick slackening of speed and
the boat settled to rest. No one needed to be told what it meant: the
_Warrenia_ had run upon a mud bank and was fast.

"Captain Ortega's performance over again!" said Major Starland, "with
the exception that he did it on purpose and I don't think you did."

"I am somewhat of the same opinion myself," growled the Captain, "but
here we must stay for several hours at the least."

An instant investigation showed that the yacht had suffered no injury.
She was staunchly built, and the impact was like that of a solid body
against yielding cotton. Had the mud been rock or compact earth the
result must have been disastrous.

The screw was kept viciously going, but it could not drag the boat
off. Then the crew toiled for an hour shifting what was movable to the
stern, but without result. Next, an anchor was carried a hundred feet
up stream and imbedded in the oozy bed of the river, while sturdy arms
on board tugged at the connecting hawser by means of a windlass, with
the screw desperately helping, but the hull would not yield an inch.
Finally the efforts were given up. Nothing remained but to wait till
the rising tide should lift the mountainous burden and swing it free.

When the accident occurred, the tug had