r knife. We must be content to
proceed by slow degrees, and each man must take the task for which he is
best fitted."

I saw the wisdom of Captain van Dunk's remarks, and felt more confident
of success than I should have done had he undertaken to perform in a
hurry the work he proposed. I begged that I might set out at once.

"I shall send out three parties for that object," he said. "You with
one of the Indians, your cousin with another, and Tim with the third."

Having made a hurried meal of some of the provisions which remained from
our supper of the previous night, we set out. Polo was my companion,
Arthur took Maco, and Tim was accompanied by Kallolo. The Indians
carried their bows and arrows, and we were each armed with long poles,
which, being pointed at one end, would serve as spears as well as assist
us in our progress. We had no fear of meeting with human foes, as the
captain and Peter told us that they had seen no traces of inhabitants.
After proceeding some way together we separated, Arthur and his
attendant going towards some high ground which appeared beyond the
forest-region in front of us, while I made my way up to reach a range of
hills in front, Tim and Kallolo going in an opposite direction.

After proceeding some distance we found ourselves on the border of a
rapid and shallow stream, and I hoped that we should discover in its bed
some stones of the shape and size we required. We made our way along
it, and in a short time came upon one which seemed just adapted for the
purpose in view. This encouraged me to search for more. I was not
disappointed in my hopes, and before long found three others; one with a
hole through the centre, the rest being somewhat long, with flat ends,
and a narrow part conveniently shaped for attaching a handle. I gave
two to Polo, and carried two myself. Feeling sure that the captain
would be well-pleased with our success, we commenced our return journey.
Supposing that the stream would lead us in the proper direction, we
followed down its banks. We continued till we found ourselves in a
thick part of the forest, but the underwood was not sufficiently dense
altogether to stop our progress. Sometimes we were at a little distance
from the stream, and then again we made our way close along the edge.
The water was clear and bright, and the sun shone directly down upon the
channel, which had now assumed the character of an igarape, the trees by
it adorned with numb