Y SIX.

BRACE HAS SYMPTOMS.

Rollers were soon made by the carpenter, and the men, who were as eager
as a pack of boys, worked hard over the necessary preparations, looking
forward as they did to the trip as a kind of holiday excursion.
Consequently, when without mishap the two boats reached the side at the
foot of the falls next day, the stores were landed and carried up the
slope, the boats drawn ashore and in an incredibly short space of time
dragged on to the rollers, so many men harnessing themselves like a team
of horses to the rope attached to the boats' keels, and cheering loudly
as difficulty after difficulty was surmounted, the rollers being changed
time after time till the top was at length reached.

The lowering down into the water was easily accomplished: stores were
re-embarked, and then, with a brisk breeze to fill their sails, the
party started upon what was to prove an adventurous voyage along the
upper waters of the great river, leaving the thunder of the falls far
behind.

Fish and game proved to be abundant, wood for their fire plentiful, and
they bivouacked that evening under one of the forest monarchs upon the
bank, partaking of the result of their shooting, Dan revelling in his
task of playing cook, and grinning with delight at the praises bestowed
upon him by masters and men.

To Brace's satisfaction, his brother seemed all the better for the
little exertion he had gone through, and when the boats were once more
sought and the fire extinguished to save them from drawing upon
themselves the attentions of any Indians who might be near, Sir Humphrey
was one of the first to fall asleep under the tent-like sail, the boats
swinging gently in the darkness at the end of the rope secured to a huge
overhanging bough.

"It's a pity not to have kept the fire going, Mr Briscoe," said Brace,
as the two sat together trying to pierce the darkness as they gazed
towards the shore.

"Pity for some things," replied Briscoe; "but there's for and against.
It would keep the wild beasts away, but would bring the insects and
reptiles to see what it means, besides rousing up the birds to come and
singe their wings. I say: everybody seems to have gone to sleep."

"Except the two men of the watch in the boats' bows."

"I say!"

"Yes?" said Brace, for his companion stopped short.

"What did Sir Humphrey say to my ideas about the golden city?"

"Nothing whatever."

"Nothing?"

"Not a word, for he did not k