ugh to awaken the
avarice even of the Emperor of Brazil himself.

Leaving his warriors at the entrance to the lake, with instructions to
prevent any one following him, Haffgo would paddle the frail craft out
upon the lake, with his daughter as his only companion.

They explored much of the strange locality, visiting places unknown, so
far as they were aware, to every one else.

Ashman reflected that this was extremely fortunate so far as Ariel was
concerned, for it gave her the very knowledge that was so necessary in
their flight; but, unfortunately, their bitterest and most unrelenting
enemy possessed the same knowledge.

Now the Xingu broadened, and the flow became still more moderate.
Ashman held his paddle suspended and looked around.

"Are we entering the lake?"

"Not yet," she replied with a shake of her lovely head.

The oar was dipped again, and the light boat shot forward like a water
fowl over the smooth surface.

He had noticed that the boat was similar to that used by Ziffak, being
composed of a species of bark, the seams of which were skilfully joined
with tendons, and the outside covered with a gum which rendered it
close enough to exclude even air itself.

What seemed to be a creek a hundred feet wide, suddenly opened on the
right, winding through an exuberant forest whose branches overhung the
water. She motioned with her hand for him to guide the boat into this,
adding that it was the entrance to the enchanted lake of which he had
heard such glowing accounts, and whose existence, he remembered, had
been denied by Ziffak, though it had been admitted by him only a brief
while before.

The course of the canoe was changed, and Ashman involuntarily slackened
the pace, while he gazed around with increasing wonder.

The distance was not far, when a towering rock was observed jutting out
from the bank. It was fully twenty feet high, rough, jagged and
massive and obtruded half-way across the stream.

She whispered to him to proceed as cautiously as he could, for on the
rock was stationed one of the lookouts of King Haffgo, whose duty it
was to challenge every one on his way to the enchanted lake. Ashman
was told to keep his lips mute, in case they were hailed, as they were
likely to be, and to leave to her any explanation it might be necessary
to make.

In the bright moonlight, the sentinel was sure to notice the presence
of a white man in the boat, but would be likely to believe he was
eithe