kes me as the river being very full here the bank give way once
upon a time, and this stream winds about till it gets close up to where
the falls come down."

"But water can't go up hill, man."

"No, sir, course not; but I thought that if it goes along some valley up
to the mountains where the falls come down, it would be an easy way of
getting to the foot of the high ground and striking the big river
again."

"Stop a moment: I have heard some talk of a great cascade up north."

"Yes, sir, where nobody's never been yet. Seemed to me as it was rather
in your way, and you might find some orchids up there as well as here."

"Of course, of course!" cried Brazier; the idea of being first in the
field with a great discovery making his pulses throb. "Tell me all
about it."

"Right, sir, when we've had something to eat. It's 'bout twelve
o'clock, and here's a shady place, so if you give the word we'll land
and cook a bit. Place looks noo, don't it, sir?"

"New, Naylor! I can never thank you enough."

"Don't try then, sir," said Shaddy, steering the boat in, and with the
help of the boatmen laying it ashore close to some huge trees. "Now we
shall have to make her fast, for if our boat gets loose the stream will
carry her where nobody will ever find her again."

"I can't understand it," said Brazier impatiently, as the Indians leaped
ashore, one to make a rope fast, the others to light a fire; "this
stream running out of the main river is contrary to nature, unless where
it divides at its mouths."

"Not it, sir; it's right enough. Right down south in the Parana the
river does it lots of times, for the waters there are like a big net all
over the land, and--I say, Mr Rob, sir, where's your gun? There's a
carpincho just yonder among them reeds. Try for it, sir; we can manage
with it for a bit o' roast and boiled."

Rob seized the piece, and Shaddy pointed out the spot where he was to
fire and hit the beast in the shoulder, but just then they were
interrupted by a hideous yell.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

THE FIRST "TIGER."

The cry, which thrilled Rob and made Brazier and the young Italian seize
their weapons, came from one of the Indians, who, axe in hand, had been
about to cut up a dead bough he had seized for the fire, when something
dark struck him in the chest, sending him backward amongst the low
growth, and a magnificent cat-like animal bounded into the middle of the
opening, driving the boatmen among the