n decided that he would go ashore with Swanson
that same afternoon and get acquainted, as Jerry reported that two or
three of the natives could speak a little English, and that all were
anxious to put themselves at his disposal. Then for the first time Jerry
found that the boys were not going ashore also, and the knowledge seemed
to stagger him.

"Why--why," he exclaimed blankly, "I thought as how you were going tiger
hunting too, lads. I've been an' made all arrangements wi' them
chiefs--"

"No, they'll have to stay here," returned the captain firmly. "I'll not
take them into that jungle till I've had a look at it, Jerry. That's
final. Hold that prau down there and we'll get our stuff together and go
ashore in her."

Jerry, looking decidedly blank, obeyed. Mart wondered why he was so
anxious to have them go ashore, and conferred with Bob on the subject,
but it seemed that Jerry was only in haste to get at his Pirate Shark,
and the two boys were rather amused at the situation, together with
Swanson's dislike of Jerry.

To them it seemed that the old quartermaster had wanted to get rid of
everyone who would interfere with his own hunting operations, and that
their shot at the shark that morning had irritated him. Mart looked on
it as a huge joke by this time, and Bob was evidently inclined to the
same way of thinking. Jerry was evidently quite confident, however, that
there was gold in the river, as his promise to the captain showed;
indeed, the boys never doubted that he was acting in good faith, more
especially as Jerry had now informed the captain that he intended
killing the Pirate Shark.

The preparations for the trip ashore were made hurriedly, while the prau
waited at the ladder and the natives traded more fruit and fish, with
some fresh meat. Captain Hollinger and Swanson dressed in khaki, with
sun helmets and leggings, and at the last moment one of the Scotch
engineers volunteered to accompany them. So he was given an outfit also,
and the three men furnished themselves with the small-bore Austrian army
rifles, whose cordite bullets possessed terrific power.

Jerry said that all arrangements were made for their welfare in the
village, and that tents were unnecessary as the natives could build
thatch huts in half an hour while on the trip, so the impedimenta of the
party was light. Canteens and cartridge belts were donned, medicine
cases, mosquito nets, binoculars and blankets stowed away, and the three
me