back, and you can see the forehead, nose, and chin, and a big beard
quite plainly."

"Well, it do look like it, cert'nly," growled Shaddy.

"Then, too, I remember the shape of the bank, and look how the river
bends round and comes in a curve. Of course this is the place; I'm
quite sure it is."

"Right, my lad! so was I, quite sure," cried Shaddy dismally; "but I was
hoping and praying that I might be wrong, because if you are right,
sir--No, I won't say it."

"Yes, you will, Naylor," cried Brazier sternly. "Speak out."

"What! if it's very bad, sir?"

"Yes, my man; this is no time for trifling. Tell me the worst."

"There's Mr Rob here, sir," said the guide, in a tone full of protest.

"I want to know the worst, too, Shaddy," said Rob resignedly.

"Then I'll tell you, gentlemen, only don't blame me for making your
hearts as sore as mine is now."

"Tell us everything, my man. For bad or good, in this journey we must
work together for our mutual help and protection, not merely as master
and paid servant, but as Englishmen in a strange country, as brothers in
a foreign land."

"And that's how I'm trying to work for you, Mr Brazier, sir," said
Shaddy huskily, "and it goes hard with me to tell you what I'm 'fraid
on."

"And that is?" said Brazier, while Rob bent forward listening with
throbbing heart.

"Either those lads of mine have met with a bad accident, or they have
gone off with the boat and left us to starve and die."

"Taken--the boat--the stores--the guns?" faltered Rob.

"My collection and the means of prosecuting my researches?" cried
Brazier.

"Yes, sir; that's it, I'm afraid, but I hope I'm wrong."

The two collectors stood silent for a few moments, for the announcement
was appalling, and it took time to grasp all the horrors of their
position. For to all intents and purposes they were as much cut off
from help as if they had been upon some tiny islet in mid-ocean, the
river being useless without a boat, and three days' experience alone
sufficient to show them the madness of attempting to travel through the
forest. In addition they were without food and wanting in the means of
obtaining a meal, let alone subsistence from day to day.

Silence then, and with it darkness, fell upon the startled group, till
Rob said sturdily,--

"We're all too tired to do anything or think anything till we have
rested and had some food. I'm ready to drop."

"Them's wise words," said Shaddy. "No one