.

"What! you think I am afraid?"

"No; but you would be a coward if you did, because I tell you that I
should not hit you again."

"Because you dare not," said the young Italian, with a sneer.

Rob flushed up angrily, and his words belied his feelings, which
prompted him, to use his own expression, to punch the Italian's head,
for he said,--

"Perhaps I am afraid, but never mind if I am. You and I are not going
to quarrel about such a trifle as all this."

"A trifle? To insult me as you did?"

"Don't be so touchy, Joe," cried Rob. "Come, shake hands."

But the lad folded his arms across his breast, and at that moment there
was the sharp report of Brazier's gun and a heavy splashing in the water
among the lily leaves close up to the drooping trees which hid the cause
of the turmoil.

There was a little excitement among the men as the boat was rowed close
in under the trees, and there, half in the water, lay one of the curious
animals known as a water-pig, or carpincho.

A rope was immediately made fast to tow the dead animal to the
halting-place to cut up for the evening meal, but before they had rowed
far Shaddy shouted to the men to stop.

"That won't do," he cried.

"What's the matter, Shaddy?"

"Matter?" growled the guide; "why, can't you see, sir? There won't be a
bit left by the time we've gone a mile. Look at 'em tearing away at it.
Well, I never shall have any sense in my head. To think of me not
knowing any better than that!"

He unfastened the rope hanging astern, and hauled the dead animal along
the side to the bows of the boat, with fish large and small dashing at
it and tugging away by hundreds, making the water boil, as it were,
with, their rapid movement.

"Tchah! I'm growing stoopid, I think," growled Shaddy as he hauled the
water-pig in over the bows, the fish hanging on and leaping up at it
till it was out of reach; and then their journey was continued till a
suitable halting-place was reached, where by a roaring fire objects that
required drying were spread out, while the meat was cooked and the
coffee made, so that by the time they lay down to rest in the boat there
was not much cause for fear of fever.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

A CATASTROPHE.

The next morning the sun was drinking up the mists at a wonderful rate
when Rob opened his eyes, saw Joe close by him fast asleep, and raised
his hand to give him a friendly slap, but he checked himself.

"We're not friends yet,"