to her anchorage, and preparations for the
boat journey were at once begun. The vessel was dismasted, her guns
buried, and the ammunition safely stowed in an empty hut. Masts and
sails were fitted to the two smaller boats, and the chief furnished a
large canoe and rowers for the carriage of stores. Two other canoes of
stronger make were constructed, and at the end of twelve days Captain
Drake had a flotilla of five boats under his command. Sixty men were
to form the expeditionary force; one gentleman adventurer, one ship's
officer, two soldiers, and two seamen--all chosen by lot--being left
behind in the native village in charge of ship and stores.

Chapter XXXIV.

FLOOD AND FEVER.

The Indians were as good as their word. Headed by the chief's canoe,
the adventurers passed in steady procession through more than a hundred
miles of delta waterways. Progress was slow, for, though the current
in the cross channels was not strong, the wind was hardly felt; the
heat was stifling, and rest during the midday hours absolutely
necessary. Then there were villages to be visited, presents to be made
to the chieftains, and feasts to be eaten in return. Haste was
impossible, though very desirable. The rains were beginning, the river
would soon be in flood, and pestilence would stalk through the swampy
regions like a destroying angel.

At last the apex of the delta was reached, and the broad
river--stretching miles from bank to bank--lay before the navigators.
The milk-white current, laden with chalky washings from the land, swept
by in a mighty flood. On its bosom floated trees and detached masses
of soil, going northwards to build up the growing delta. But for the
wind and the guidance of the natives the adventurers would have made no
headway against the mighty volume of the waters. Happily the
North-East Trades from the Atlantic, unimpeded by mountain or hill,
blew with steady and strong persistence across the flat delta and along
the level plains through which the river made its way. Sandbanks in
the bed diverted the current here and there, making quiet, lake-like
pools under the banks. The Indians knew of these, and skilfully made
use of them. Sails were spread to the breeze, and the flotilla went
steadily on its way.

One week went by, and then another. The weather grew worse and worse.
Terrific storms swept across the plains, lashing the Orinoco into fury,
tearing down the mighty trees on its banks,