ve known him to have such ideas in the past
and they have always worked out for the best. He himself does not know
why he does some things--things which look totally foolish and which
often are very dangerous--except that he feels like doing them. Yet I
have never known this foolishness to fail to turn out well. He and I
will go over to-night and see what we may see."

The captain's brows drew together. Flat insubordination! Then he
remembered that these men were not subordinates at all; remembered also
what Coronel Nunes said concerning their ability to get into and out of
dangerous situations. When Knowlton sided with them he capitulated.

"Up in the States we'd say Pedro was 'riding his hunch,'" was the
lieutenant's remark. "And I've known a hunch to bring all kinds of good
luck. Gee! I'd like to go across with you lads myself! But I'm no jungle
expert, especially after dark, and I'd only be in the way. Besides,
we'll sure have to stick here and keep up appearances while you're gone.
How will you get over? There's no way but swimming, and this creek's
probably inhabited by the usual 'gators and snakes and things."

"When one can travel only by swimming, one swims," Pedro smiled. "Leave
that to us, senhores. Now the sun sinks fast and I have hunger. Let us
eat."

Night was at hand. While the whites talked some of the Mayorunas had
quietly slipped away into the bush, seeking whatever fresh meat might be
obtainable without straying too far from camp. Naturally, the hunting
was poor so near an inhabited place, but now the absent men came
stealing back with a few small birds and one monkey. Though the savages
asked nothing and evidently expected nothing from the whites to eke out
this scant provision, the latter opened their meager larders to Tucu,
ordering him to see that every man had at least a few mouthfuls to eat.
Tucu, like a good commander, made no bones of accepting the invitation
for the good of his men. When all hands had stowed away the last meal of
the day the rations were reduced almost to the vanishing point.

"Those miserable whelps over there might have had the decency to give us
a few bites," Knowlton growled, looking at the Red Bone men on the other
bank, who were gorging themselves on meat brought by their women.

"It is quite possible that they intend to give us several bites later
on," Pedro suggested, with a mirthless smile.

"Uh-huh. Shouldn't wonder. But it's also possible that they'll have t