er had risen some three or four feet, and all anxiously
watched for the coming of the next day. They slept but little, for
there was so much to discuss, the doctor feeling now sure that when they
missed the Spanish captain it must have been because when all were
asleep he had stolen down to where the two blacks would be waiting for
him with their canoe, and then gone on up the river beyond their camp.

"But I don't see quite what for, uncle," said Rodd.

"I do," cried Moray. "He knew the country so well, and our ignorance,
which would make us go wandering helplessly about, while he knew of a
nearer way out into this river again, through which we seem to have been
providentially swept."

"That's right--quite right, Moray," said the doctor. "You see now,
Rodd?"

"Yes, uncle, it's quite clear now. I wish I wasn't so dense. Do you
see, Joe?"

"I didn't afore, sir; but it's all as clear as crystal now, and I should
just like to explain it to the lads. My word, gentlemen! That chap's
been running up a big bill again hisself, and when we get hold of him
he'll have to pay!"

"What are you thinking of, Moray?" said Rodd, a little while after,
while they were sitting listening in the darkness to the murmur of Joe's
voice forward as he was explaining matters to the men.

"I was thinking," said Moray gravely, "of how long it would be before it
is day."

The longest night comes to an end, and the breaking of that next day
showed the river much sunken and pretty well at its normal tidal height;
and with four men rowing steadily the boat glided downward, with the sun
when it rose showing first one and then another landmark which seemed
familiar; but after their one journey upward no one present could recall
how far they were above the careening place.

Again and again as they passed round some great bend Moray rose from his
seat, and, as Rodd afterwards told him, made them all miserable by
gazing wildly downwards in the expectation of catching sight of the
brig, or of seeing his father in his boat coming upward in search of the
missing ones, who had quite outstepped the time that their stay was to
last.

It was always the same; the poor fellow sank back into his place
wearily, his countenance drawn and a look of despair in his eyes. At
such times Rodd would watch his opportunity, steal his hand quietly
along, and give Morny's arm a long and friendly grip, with the result
that the dim eyes would brighten a little a