u travel in a public boat? There are many such
constantly going up and down the river. Some go through to Para, but the
greater number stop far short of it, making voyages only two or three
hundred miles up or down, and stopping at all the villages; these are
cheaper than the long-distance boats, and you would have no difficulty in
exchanging into another when it reaches its furthest point."

"I do not care which it is," Stephen replied, "and would as soon take a
passage in a local craft as in another. Indeed, there is the advantage
that if one does not find one's companions agreeable one can make a change
and try one's luck in another boat."

"Then, if you are content with that, senor, you will not have long to
wait. If not to-morrow, on the next day there is sure to be a boat going
down the river."

"I also wish to take passages up the river for these Indians, who have
served me most faithfully and well, and whom I regard as my friends."

"There will be no difficulty about that either, senor. Boats go
occasionally from here up to the frontier, and sometimes beyond it."

Stephen talked the matter over with Pita and Hurka, and found that they
would prefer to make a bargain for themselves with some native boat
carrying merchandise.

"We shall be more at home so, senor; we shall go at a much lower price
than it would cost by a boat carrying passengers; indeed, by offering to
help at the oars when the current is strong we shall probably pay nothing
whatever for our passage; as they are glad enough of help going up stream.
All we shall have to do will be to buy our own provisions at the villages
we stop at, just as the boatmen will do."

"You must give me an address where a letter will find you, Pita. Is there
anyone at Lima to whose care I could send it?"

"Yes; Juan Fernandez, a merchant, in Santa Maria Street of Callao, number
ten, knows me well, and has several times recommended me to traders and
gold-seekers as a trustworthy guide, and if you address Pita, Indian
guide, care of Senor Juan Fernandez, he will, I know, keep it for me until
I call upon him."

"You will understand, Pita, that in paying you and Hurka only the balance
of wages agreed on, I do so because I have no more money with me than is
needed to carry me home; it in no way represents the deep obligation which
I feel towards you both."

"Say no more of that, senor; we have done our duty, and should have done
as much had you been one to whom we f