At length we found the river narrowing considerably; but still no dry
ground had appeared on either side,--which showed how perfectly level
must be the region through which we were sailing. The wind, though it
continued favourable, had fallen, and we found it necessary to keep
close in by the shore, to avoid the current which we could no longer
stem. Still, by keeping our paddles moving, we went ahead. So narrow
had the stream become, that we thought we must be approaching its
source, when suddenly we found ourselves entering a broad lakelike
expanse, the opposite shore being scarcely visible. Captain van Dunk
being unwilling, for fear of being caught in a gale, to stand across the
lake, kept still coasting along, in the hope, he said, of discovering
either a piece of firm ground or else another stream up which we might
run.

During the next night the wind was very light, and we made slower
progress than we had hitherto done. I awoke just at daylight, and was
sitting with Kallolo at the bow of our strange craft, over the stem of
which the tack was made fast. He was employed in looking out ahead.
Quacko, his constant companion, was in his arms, and I was amusing
myself by talking to the monkey. "He no understand your lingo, Massa
Guy," observed Kallolo. "Talkee as I do, and he know what you say." On
this he uttered what seemed to me to be nothing but gibberish; but
Quacko, in great delight, replied in what was evidently an imitation of
his master's voice. Suddenly I saw the creature gaze into the water,
and then, chattering louder than ever, it threw its arms around
Kallolo's neck.

"He see something!" exclaimed the native, gazing on the smooth surface.

"Oh! what can it be?" I exclaimed.

The native did not reply. At that instant, a long shining head rose
above the surface, and came on with fearful rapidity towards the log.
The Indian sat, it seemed to me, paralysed with terror. Beyond the head
appeared a long thin body; and I now saw that it was an enormous
snake--"a huge anaconda." To my horror the creature, reaching the log,
began to climb it, exhibiting the folds of its huge body; while its
mouth was open wide enough to swallow either of us at a gulp, though it
might possibly have been contented with poor Quacko, had Kallolo been
willing to sacrifice his favourite.

"Fly, Massa Guy! fly!" he shouted, springing back himself, with Quacko
in his arms. Our shouts aroused our sleeping companions, w