a region where
every hour he collected treasures.

"And some folk would sneer at the pretty things, and turn away because
they weren't gold, or silver, or precious stones," muttered Shaddy.

All this time almost imperceptibly they were rising and climbing
Shaddy's water steps, as he had called them. They fished and had
success enough to keep their larder well stocked. Birds were shot such
as were excellent eating, and twice over Shaddy brought down iguanas,
which, though looked upon with distrust by the travellers, were welcomed
by the boatmen, who were loud in their praise.

It was a dream-like existence, and wonderfully restful to the lads who
had passed through so many troubles, while the boat presented an
appearance, with its load of drying specimens, strongly suggestive of
there being very little room for more.

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX.

WAR.

They had literally climbed a long rapid one morning, and entered a broad
reach of the river which resembled a lake in its extent. The water here
was smooth, and had a current that was barely perceptible, hence their
progress was swift, and as they were rowing round a bend the question
arose where they should halt for the midday rest, when suddenly an
ejaculation escaped from their guide's lips, and the men ceased pulling,
leaving the boat to drift slowly on over the glowing mirror-like
surface, which was as if of polished steel.

"What is it, Shaddy?" cried Rob quickly. "Are we going wrong?" But as
he spoke he caught sight of the reason for the sudden stoppage, for
there right in front, ashore and in canoes, were about twenty Indians,
standing up and apparently watching them in speechless astonishment.

"Indians!" cried Rob.

"Yes, my lad, and we've done pretty well to come all these hundreds of
miles without hitting upon them before. Don't hurry, Mr Brazier, sir,
and don't let them think that we mind 'em, but lay the guns ready, and
the ammunition, so that we can give them as good as they send, and mind,
if it comes to fighting, every one's to lie down in the boat and keep
under cover."

"Perhaps there will be no trouble," said Brazier quietly. "They seem to
be peaceable enough."

"Yes, sir, seem to be; but you can't trust 'em."

Just then the Indians ceased staring at the party in the boat, and went
on with the pursuit in which they were engaged as the boat swept round
the bend. This was shooting at some object in the water, apparently for
practice, b