e the trees were grand in
the extreme, having ample room to grow in the rich soil unfettered by
the parasites and vines which wove their brethren of the dense jungle
into an impassable wall of verdure.
No landing was attempted, the experience they had gained making the
travellers disposed to wait until more open country was reached and they
could feel more secure.
The captain asked Briscoe what more he could wish for.
"If you take a boat it will only be to go up a small stream and look for
curiosities. You can do that as well here on board the brig without
fagging the men with rowing along under the trees, where there is not a
breath of air. Look yonder now: I don't suppose you'd see such a thing
as that if you were rowing. The noise of the oars would make it dive
and keep out of sight."
"What is it?" said Brace: "it looks like a buffalo bathing."
"Not it, sir. Look again."
"A dugong," said Briscoe, cocking and raising his double rifle.
"Dugong or manatee. Sea-cows, we call 'em. Going to shoot it, sir?"
The American hesitated.
"It seems tempting," he said; "but I don't know. It's too big for a
specimen."
"And not very good to eat; at least, I don't suppose we should like it."
"I've got it now," said Brace, who had hurriedly adjusted his glass and
was watching the huge creature, which kept on showing itself in a muddy
bend of the river a few yards from the bank. "It looks like a monstrous
seal."
"Something like a seal, squire, but I should say it was more like a
walrus. It hasn't got the great tusks of the walrus, though. You can
see it well, eh?"
"Capitally," replied Brace. "Not dangerous, are they?"
"Not that I ever heard of, squire. They're great stupid innocents, as
far as I know. That one wouldn't wait for a boat to get anywhere near
it; but if it did I daresay in its fright it might upset the craft. I
fancy all they want is to be let alone. Pretty good size, eh?"
"Yes," said Brace; "I wish my brother were here to see it."
"Very tempting for a shot," said Briscoe, fingering his gun.
"Very," said the captain sarcastically. "Couldn't well miss it, sir,
eh?"
"Oh, I daresay I could," said the American; "I'm very clever that way,
skipper, sometimes. But there, I don't want to kill the poor thing.
Would you like to shoot, Brace Leigh?"
"No," said the young man. "It seems such a stupid, inoffensive-looking
beast. I should like a shot at a jaguar or a leopard, an
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