he shore.

"Will it be safe to attempt to continue our journey down that part of
the river?" Brazier asked as they were seated afterward in the shade.

"Oh yes, sir, safe enough," replied Shaddy.

"But suppose we have to come back the same way?"

"Well, sir, we can do it, only it will take time."

"You will not mind, Mr Brazier?" said Joe, smiling.

"Indeed I shall, for the work is terrible. Why did you say that?"

"Because you will have such a chance to collect, sir. I saw hundreds of
beautiful blossoms which I thought you would like to get, and you could
gather them while the men rested."

"Ay, to be sure, sir. Don't you mind about that river being swift!
Only wants contriving, and for you to know what's coming, so as to be
prepared. Now I know what to expect, I can manage. I shall just set
two of the fellows to pull gently, and go down starn first, and always
sit there ready with the boat-hook to hitch on to a tree if we are going
too fast. You trust me, sir, spite of all that's gone before, and I'll
do my best for you and the young gents till your journey's done, though
I don't see any coming back this way."

"Of course I shall trust you," said Brazier. "What's the matter?"

"Trust me now then, sir," cried Shaddy, who had leaped up, and was
looking sharply round. "Get aboard, all of you. Now, boys!" he roared
to his men, and he pointed to the sky.

Shaddy's orders were obeyed, and though there seemed to be no reason for
the preparations made, the guide was so confident of the coming of a
heavy storm that the waterproof sheet brought for such an emergency was
quickly drawn over the canvas roof of their little cabin and made fast;
the boat was moored head and stern close up to the bank and beneath a
huge, sheltering tree, the balers were laid ready for use in the
fore-part and the stern; and when this was all done, and the greatest
care taken to keep powder and bedding dry, Brazier turned and looked at
Shaddy.

"Well," he said, "is not this a false alarm?"

"No, sir; there's a storm coming. We shall have it soon. Good job we'd
got the cooking done."

"But I can't see a cloud," said Rob.

"Don't matter," replied Joe, who was also looking keenly round. "I've
seen the heavy rain come streaming down when the sky has been quite
clear, and the water has felt quite warm. Look at those fellows; they
know the storm's coming, or they would not do that."

He pointed toward the boatmen, who were t