g that suits me," Teddy cried,
springing to his feet and arousing his companions. "While we were
sleeping the boat drifted steadily on, and, at this rate, when we arrive
at the coast all hands ought to be in good condition for a long tramp."

"Where's Cummings?" Neal asked, as he in turn arose from the bottom of
the canoe.

"Gone for game," the Indian replied.

"Oh, we're not to have breakfast until it is shot," he added laughingly.

"It makes no difference what they find, for there are twenty fat fish
roasting in the coals, and you may eat at any time."

"Is there a chance of meeting with an alligator or a crocodile in this
stream?"

"Not here."

"Then I'm going to have a bath," and Neal began to undress, Teddy and
Jake quickly following his example.

During half an hour they had most glorious sport swimming, and then the
return of the hunters literally laden down with game warned them that it
was time to prepare for the morning meal.

CHAPTER XXXI.

THE SEA.

After breakfast the voyage was resumed.

The owners of the canoe urged that the party remain in camp until the
following day, in order as they said, that all hands might be the better
fitted for the journey; but Cummings decided against such delay in a
very emphatic manner.

"It is of the greatest importance to these boys that we reach the coast
at the earliest possible moment," he said, "and there is no good reason
for halting any longer than is necessary for the purpose of cooking.
With such a large crew each one can get all the rest he needs, and yet
not be obliged to do a great amount of labor."

Very unwillingly the Indians took their seats in the boat, and during
the day the boys saw very much to interest them.

Among the trees were monkeys in regular droves, and the more mischievous
appeared to think it great sport to follow the craft and pelt the
occupants with fruit.

Next to these long tailed brutes, black squirrels were the most
numerous, and had the party been on a hunting excursion it would have
been possible to load the canoe to the water's edge with this species of
game.

Now and then a sleek jaguar showed himself. Again a drove of peccaries
peered out from among the underbrush, and more than once Cummings was
forced to exert all his authority to prevent the Indians from stopping
to bag an incautious tapir which had come to the stream for water.

The animals seen on this day's journey were few, however, as compared