rrent, and at others in a rapid headlong stream
pent up between narrow banks. The volume of water had vastly increased
since they started, owing to the number of streams that had flowed into
the Beni, some of these being so large that they would be considered
good-sized rivers in Europe. At last, a month after starting, Hurka said
that next day they would reach the confluence of the Beni and the Madeira.

"There is a mission-station there, and if the senor likes to pause there
for a day or two before descending the river he can do so."

"Not at all, Hurka. In the first place I shall be asked a great many
questions which would be difficult to answer, and in the second, even two
days in a mission-station would be frightfully dull."

"Very well, senor, then we will pass straight into the river and halt a
few hours' journey further down."

"Why should we halt at all?"

"We shall want to construct a raft, senor. There are many dangerous rapids
in the Madeira besides the falls, and the river is beginning to rise. You
were noticing yesterday how thick the water had become, and some of the
streams that run into it are laden with mud. That shows that the rain has
begun on the western slopes. The Madeira is generally in flood two days
before the Beni, and the water will be running down in a great stream;
therefore it will be necessary to make our raft. We need not desert the
canoe, but can let it float alongside of us, or we can haul it on to the
raft; it will be convenient for sleeping in."

"We had better land at once and make our raft," Pita said, "before we
reach the Madeira. I know of no high bank for a very long distance after
we have entered the great river where we could manage it."

"Then by all means let us do so at once," Stephen said, "and perhaps we
may get some sport."

Accordingly the boat was headed towards shore. When they reached the side
they found that the Beni itself had risen, and the bank, usually seven or
eight feet out of water, was now little more than a foot above its level.

"You may get some birds," Hurka said, "but nothing else. The instinct of
the beasts tells them that the river is nearly full, and doubtless indeed
the low-lying parts of the forest are already submerged. They will be off
before this, and will travel on till they come to ground that is always
above the floods. Some will, doubtless, be caught and perish. Such as
climb will take to trees, but hunger will destroy them."

"How