uries as silk han'kerchers at a time like this, do you? Because, if
you do, I don't; so you'll have to pull out all the threads and wind 'em
up, like Mr Brazier did. His han'kercher will do for fishing-lines.
Yours shall be bow-strings. Why, who knows but what we may get a deer?
Anyhow we may get one of them carpinchos, and not bad eating, either."

The fish was soon caught in the swift clear water, but all attempts to
take another failed. It was, however, ample for their meal, and after
it had been placed in the fire, which had never been allowed to go out
since first lit, Rob's companion pointed out more footprints of a puma,
and soon after those of a deer, both animals having evidently been in
the opening within the last few hours, from the freshness of the prints.

The reeds for the arrows were cut, and proved to be firm, strong, and
light, but the selection of a branch for the bow proved to be more of a
task. One was, however, decided upon at last, roughly trimmed, and
thrown on the fire for a few minutes to harden, and it was while the
pair were busy over this task, watching the tough wood carefully, that
Brazier found them, apologising for his so-called idleness and eagerly
asking what he should do to help.

"Nothing, sir, at present, but have your breakfast. Would you mind
picking a few plates and a dish, Mr Rob? Let's have the green pattern
again."

Rob smiled as he went to the arum-like plant which had supplied him
before, and returned to the fire just as Shaddy was apologising
seriously for its being fish again for breakfast and promising a change
before night.

The apology was uncalled for, the freshly caught, newly roasted fish
proving to be delicious; and roasted nuts, though they were not
chestnuts and were often flavoured with burned oil, were anything but a
bad substitute for bread.

"There, gen'lemen," said Shaddy as they finished, "next thing seems to
be to go down to the waterside and have a good drink of nature's own tea
and coffee. Worse things than water, I can tell you. I always think to
myself when I've nothing else that what was good enough for Adam and Eve
ought to be good enough for me."

"Water's delicious," cried Rob as they reached a convenient place and
lay down to scoop up the cool clear fluid with their hands and drink
heartily.

"So it is, Mr Rob, sir, 'llcious," said Shaddy; "but wait a bit, and
you shall have something to put in the water, if it's only fruit juice