nd cold plantains, washed down with cocoanut milk, Maria and Francisco
laid themselves out in the boat, and slept. Their three passengers
nodded and waited.

In two hours precisely the faithful boatmen awakened. Francisco
lighted a pitchy torch and stuck it upright in the bows. Then the boat
was shoved out, he and Maria resumed their paddles, and on they all
went, up the river again.

This was a fascinating voyage. Great birds and beetles and bats
swooped for the torch, and fled; fish leaped before the prow; and from
the jungle on right and left harsh voices clamored in alarm. Charley,
perched in the bows by the torch, which flared almost in his face,
peered and listened. The ruddy light cut a little circle on the water,
and shone on the dark, glistening forms of the two boatmen, and on the
staring faces of Mr. Grigsby and Mr. Adams, sitting amidships.

The night seemed to be growing darker. Over the forest, on the right
before, lightning was glimmering, and there was the low growl of
thunder.

"Going to get wet," announced Mr. Grigsby. "It rains at least once
every twenty-four hours, at this season."

Maria and Francisco exchanged a few sentences in Spanish and doubled
their efforts. The dug-out surged along, but even when it was close to
a bank the trees could scarcely be seen in the blackness.

"Well, Charley," called his father, "if we don't reach Pena Blanca
(that was the next village, and the name meant White Rock) in time we
are liable to get wet."

"Hark!" bade Mr. Grigsby. "Somebody's shouting."

Maria and Francisco had heard, also, for they rested on their paddles a
moment, to listen. Again came the new sound--a shrill, prolonged cry
wafting across the velvety river. Francisco looked back inquiringly at
the two men amidships.

"Go over," said Mr. Adams, with motion of hand. "Somebody's hailing
us."

Maria whooped loudly, and was answered. The dug-out turned, and
slanted across the current.

Not a thing could be seen. The torch flared low, for a chill, damp
breeze began to blow, in fitful fashion, heralding the storm. Maria
whooped at intervals, and back came the cry in reply.

"They sound right ahead," spoke Mr. Grigsby. "Easy, boys."

"I see them! I see them!" exclaimed Charley. A lightning flash more
vivid than any of the glimmers preceding had lighted the river with
dazzling white; and peering intently he had seen a boat, with dark
figures in it, limned not one hundred fe