ere to build
a canoe we could explore the river and make our way to the south far
more easily than by land? Meantime, it would assist us in our hunting
expeditions; and we should be able to go fishing or shooting birds,
although I should not much like to meet with any of those fierce
monsters the captain killed the other day."

"An excellent idea, Natty," I answered. "I will propose it to Captain
Hyslop, and I am sure he will agree with you."

Stanley was well pleased with the suggestion, and it was at once agreed
that we should carry it into execution.

"I, however, never built a canoe, and should scarcely know how to set
about it, although I understand the management of one thoroughly," said
Stanley. "I must trust, therefore, to others."

"No fear, captain," observed Timbo. "Jack, Chickango, and I soon do de
work. First t'ing find big tree; and Senhor Silva got axes, so we soon
cut it down."

Before the day was over we found a large tree, not more than three
hundred yards from the bank of the river, which was likely to answer our
purpose. The trunk was perfectly straight, the wood soft, and about
twelve feet in circumference. The axes our Portuguese friend had among
his stores were, however, rather small for the purpose; but yet, if
carefully used, we hoped, with perseverance, to have the tree felled in
the course of a day. Jack Handspike undertook to act as chief
architect, although Chickango and Timbo, I suspect, knew more about the
actual work than he did.

"Now, boys," he sung out, "the first thing we have got to do is to place
the craft in the right position for launching, so just see that the tree
falls towards the river."

Senhor Silva interpreted Jack's remark to Chickango. He nodded, and
forthwith cut from the surrounding trees a number of vines, as creepers
of all sorts are called. These, with my aid and that of the two boys,
he formed into a strong rope. He then mounted the tree by throwing a
band round it and his waist, till he reached the branches, carrying the
end of the rope with him. This he secured to the top. Descending, he
made signs to us to carry it to a distance towards the river, where he
secured the opposite end to another tree.

Jack and Timbo, who were expert axe-men, then began cutting away near
the ground. First they made a deep notch on the river side, scoring the
tree all round. David and I stood by ready to take their places, while
Stanley and Senhor Silva went i