swamp lands, pulled him back to safety within the next two days. To
safety, but not to strength. Despite his stout-hearted assertions that
he was ready to hit the trail and "walk the legs off the whole danged
outfit," he was obviously in no condition to stand up under the grueling
pack work that lay ahead. Wherefore, McKay, after consultation with the
others of the party, and, through Lourenco, with Monitaya, gave him
inflexible orders.

"You'll stay here. Stick in your hammock until you're in fighting trim.
Then watch yourself. Don't pull any bonehead plays that'll get these
people down on you. Take quinine daily according to Knowlton's
directions--he's written them on the box. If we're not back in a
fortnight Monitaya will send men to find out why. If they find that
we're--not coming back--you will be guided to the river, where you can
get down to the Nunes place."

"But, Cap--"

"No argument!"

"But listen here, for the love o' Mike! I ain't no old woman! I can
stand the gaff! I'm goin' with the gang!"

"You hear the orders!" McKay snapped, with assumed severity. "Think we
want to be bothered with having you go sick again? You're out of shape
and we've no room for lame ducks. You'll stay here!"

Tim tried another tack.

"Aw, but listen! Ye ain't goin' to desert a comrade amongst a lot o' man
eaters--right in the place where I got sick, too. Soon's I git away from
here I'll be all right--"

"That stuff's no good," the captain contradicted, with a tight smile.
"You didn't get fever here. It's been in your system for days. You got
it back on the river. These people don't have it, or any other kind of
sickness. I've looked around and I know. As for the man eaters, they're
mighty decent folks toward friends. We're friends. You'll be under the
personal protection of Monitaya, and his word is good as gold. It's all
arranged, and you're safer here than you would be in New York."

In his heart the stubborn veteran knew McKay was right, but, like any
other good soldier ordered to remain out of action, he grumbled and
growled regardless. To which the ex-officers paid about as much
attention as officers usually do. They went ahead with their own
preparations.

"Be of good heart, Senhor Tim," Pedro comforted, mischievously. "You
will not lack for company. The chief has appointed two girls to wait
upon you at all times."

"Huh? Them two tall ones that's been hangin' round and fetchin' things?
Are they mine?"

"Ye