ttle devil," he said.
"I'll wear that scar forever."

Nicko sighed gustily. "If you beat me unmercifully each fine morning
for the rest of my miserable life, the punishment would be light for
such a heinous deed."

Mike laughed and started to get to his feet. Halfway up, he paused,
crouching there. Then his voice thundered. "Grab an oar! Pull for
shore! Pull for God's sake!"

In an instant both of them were tearing the water in an effort to
reach the nearest bank. As they worked, the current upon which they
moved swept forward at an ever-increasing speed and the roar about
them was like the crashing of skyscrapers under bombardment.

They came ashore a scant six feet above certain death. Fortunately the
raft was light and they were able to gain a foothold and lift it from
the snarling waters.

Then, gasping for breath, they moved a few feet down-stream and stood
looking at the frothing cataract that dropped the great river a sheer
two-hundred feet to boulders below.

"I ought to be whipped for not attending to business," Mike said
bitterly.

Doree was clinging to his arm looking down at the awe-inspiring sight.
"You saved us, darling. Why should you criticize yourself?"

"It was too close--far too close."

Nicko said, "It seems to me the important thing now is where we go
from here."

"We carry the raft down those rocks and beyond the rough water."

"But why all that effort? Couldn't we be as happy up here as down
there?"

"All rivers lead to civilization," Mike said. "Or at least, they lead
to the places civilization naturally springs up."

"A logical observation."

"Also, I've got a hunch about this river. I may be wrong but I think
it might take us right where we want to go. I'll bet there are
interesting things ahead."

* * * * *

Mike turned and directed his words to Doree. "That papyrus your father
translated said the forefathers of the Egyptians sought a planet
similar to their own. Perhaps the similarity had to be more than
general. Such a thing is indicated by their traveling around for
several lifetimes. Anyhow, except for the tropical climate, this river
bears a great resemblance to one of the tributaries that feeds the
Nile back on Terra."

"You're quite right," Doree marveled.

"And this could well be Victoria Falls. I wonder if another Egypt
doesn't lie below."

There was awe in Doree's voice. "Before Egypt--"

"What did you say?"

"An Egypt--a