orest. As this would to a certainty
have led the Cashibos to us, if they were in the neighbourhood, we once
more mounted and continued our journey. Sometimes I thought I heard the
savages behind us; but the sound proved to be the cry of some bird or
beast of prey.

No other adventure occurred, and, as day dawned, the calm waters of the
river appeared shining brightly through the trees. A little further on
rose close to the stream a high rock, the river face of which was almost
a perpendicular precipice, while that inland was steep and rugged in the
extreme. The top was of sufficient extent, it appeared, to enable us to
pitch our huts on it, and to keep our horses there, it necessary.
Having surveyed it, we discovered a path by which we could hope to lead
up our horses, every other side being too difficult for men, even
unencumbered with burdens, to climb up. After some trouble, we reached
the top, whence we found a fine view up and down the river, and over a
wide extent of forest on either side.

"The sooner we turn this place into a castle, the better for us, mate,"
observed Ned. "What say you? We must get some trees down first,
though."

I told Manco what the sailor said, and he instantly agreeing, we set to
work forthwith to cut down all the trees which grew around, and which
might serve as a covert to the enemy, and would form palisades for us.

We set to work with a will with hatchets and knives, and in an hour had
cut stakes enough to fence in the whole rock. Where the soil was of
sufficient depth we drove them into it; and at the other places we piled
up stones, which we brought up from the margin of the river. We gave
ourselves not a moment's rest; even while we were eating we were
sharpening the stakes. Ned set the example, and we all imitated him.
In more important points, as a leader. Manco showed himself fit to be a
chief; but the British seaman, where manual work was concerned, was his
superior. By noon we had a very respectable stockade run up, such as
might withstand an attack for a short time from any ordinary enemy not
possessed of firearms. All the trees and shrubs on the sides of the
rock had been cut away, and stones had been piled up near all the more
accessible points, to serve as a rampart, or to be used as weapons of
defence.

"Now, mates," exclaimed Ned, after he had walked with an air of
satisfaction round our fortifications, "the work is done, so let's pipe
to dinner."

To