e a
scene like this to go and eat?"

"Can't I?" cried Poole. "Do you mean to tell me that you are not hungry
too?"

"Well, no," said Fitz, slowly, closing the glass; "I don't think I can.
I didn't know how bad I was until you spoke."

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

A TROPIC RIVER.

Strict watch was set, no lights were shown, and a quiet, uneventful
night was passed, the boys sleeping so hard that it was with some
difficulty that they were awakened, to start up wondering that it was
day.

"Why," cried Fitz, "I feel as if I had only just lain down."

It proved, though, that they had each had nine hours' solid sleep, and
after a hasty breakfast, preparations were made for ascending the river.
The men were armed, the largest boat lowered, and Fitz hung about
watching eagerly all that was going on; but, too proud to ask questions,
he waited to see how matters would shape themselves.

As he expected, Poole came to him after a time, and in answer to the
middy's questioning looks said eagerly--

"The Don's hacienda is right up this river somewhere, and the dad is
going up in a boat with about half the lads, to see how the land lies,
while old Burgess stops at home and takes care of the _Teal_. And I
suppose he will have to take care of you too, you being a prisoner who
don't take any interest in what we do. What do you think?"

"Think? That I shouldn't do any harm if I came with you, should I?"

"Well, I don't know," said Poole, with mock seriousness. "You wouldn't
like to come too with me?" Fitz looked at him blankly.

"It's going to be quite an expedition. The lads are going to have
rifles and plenty of ammunition; revolvers too. I am going to have the
same, because there is no knowing what sort of fellows we may meet.
But, as the dad says, if they see we are well-armed they won't meddle
with us. In these revolutionary times, though, every one is on the
rampage and spoiling for a fight. Pity you can't go with us." Fitz was
silent.

"You see, I could have arranged it nicely. We might have had old Andy
to carry a couple of bags, and you could have had the governor's double
gun, and looked after the pot. We should have had you blazing away
right and left as we went up the river at everything that the Camel said
was good to eat. You would soon have filled both the bags, of course."

"Look here," said Fitz, "none of your sneers! I dare say if I tried I
could shoot as well as you can."

"Sneers!" cried