d, and dozens of the Indians swimming about trying to reach the
boats which floated still.

As far as the little party could make out, no one had been hurt, but the
consternation was terrible. No further efforts were made in pursuit,
and for the next half-hour the boat was rowed on and reached the rapid
before the enemy was seen again.

"Now then," said Brazier, as the rough, swift water of the river was
once more reached, "shall we wait to give them another lesson or go on?"

"Go on," said Shaddy firmly. "They may not follow us up now. Mind, I
only hope that; but we shall see."

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN.

THE LAST DAYS.

Food was served out, the men drank eagerly of the water passed to them,
and poling, wading, and tracking with a rope, the boat began to ascend
the rapid, while the long lake-like reach was left behind, a turn or two
completely hiding the enemy from sight; and though twice over they heard
their shouts and yells, the scare created by the explosion had been
sufficient to make them give the party what Shaddy called "a wide
berth."

"How far have we to go up this river?" asked Brazier as the men toiled
on, wading and tracking in a part that was one furious torrent, which
threatened to swamp the boat.

"Ah, that's what I can't tell you, sir," answered the old sailor. "I've
only got notions, you see."

"Notions, man?"

"Yes, sir: that if we go right up to the head of this stream we can make
a portage somewhere, and strike another, which will lead us down east,
and so hit the Paraguay again."

Rob laughed, and the man gave him an inquiring look.

"Make a portage," he said, "and strike this stream and hit that? Not
very plain English, Shaddy."

"Then I don't know what is," growled the old sailor, who held up his
hand and listened for a few moments. "Thought I heard 'em coming up
after us," he said. "Strikes me, Mr Rob, that you'd better have
another of them powder tins ready, so that we could contrive to let it
off and startle 'em, if they come nigh. We've plenty of powder, and
it's better than shooting the poor wretches, who don't know any better.
They're used to seeing one thing kill another, and I suppose they think
they ought to do the same, and we can't teach 'em any better."

It was rapidly getting dark now, but they reached the top of the
torrent, passing again into comparatively smooth water, along which the
boat was rowed for some distance before a suitable spot was found for