In Far Bolivia Part 29

Good tea, coffee, cocoa, and coca were, of course, carried, with sugar to sweeten these luxuries.

But a small cask of fire-water--arrack--was included among the stores, and this was meant as a treat for native Indians, if they should happen to meet any civil and obliging enough to hobn.o.b.

Money would be of no use in the extreme wilds. Salt, and cloth of gaudy colours, to say nothing of beads, would be bartered for articles of necessity.

Everything was ready for the start, but still there were no signs of Bill and the boats.

It was the first question Roland asked d.i.c.k of a morning, or d.i.c.k asked Roland, according to who happened to be first up:

"Any signs of Bill and the boats?"

"None!"

On the top of a cliff at the bend of the beautiful river stood a very tall tree, and right on top of this was an outlook--an Indian boy, who stayed two hours on watch, and was then relieved.

He could command quite an extensive view downstream, and was frequently hailed during the day and asked about Bill and his boats, but the answer would come somewhat dolefully:

"Plenty boat, sah, but no Beel."

Yes, there were boats of many kinds, and a few steamers now and then also, but Roland held no intercourse with any of these. His little army was encamped on an open clearing well back in the forest. He did not wish to know anyone's business, and he determined that his own should not leak out.

But although Roland and d.i.c.k had plenty to do, and there was sport enough to be had, still the time began to drag wearily on day by day, and both young fellows were burning for action and movement and "go".

Peter, _alias_ Don Pedro, seemed as anxious as anyone else to get forward.

He was most quiet and affable to everyone, although apt to drop into dejected moods at times.

He saw that he was not wholly in bad favour with d.i.c.k Temple.

One day, when Roland was at the other side of the river, after smoking in silence for some time by the banks of the stream, where, in company with d.i.c.k and Brawn, he was sitting, a down-steamer hove in sight at the bend of the river, and both waved their caps to those on board, a salute which was cheerfully returned.

The vessel was some distance out in the broad river, but presently d.i.c.k could see a huge black-board held over the port-quarter. There was writing in chalk on it, and d.i.c.k speedily put his lorgnettes up, and read as follows:--

IF GOING UP RIVER--BEWARE!

KARAPOONA SAVAGES ON WAR-PATH--TREACHERY!

"Forewarned is forearmed!" said d.i.c.k.

"What was the legend exposed to view on the telegraph board?" asked Peter languidly.

"The Karapoona savages on the war-path," replied d.i.c.k.

"What! The Karapoonas! A fearful race, and cannibals to boot--"

"You know them then?"

"What, I? I--I--no--no, only what I have heard."

He took three or four whiffs of his cigarette in quick succession, as if afraid of its going dead.

But d.i.c.k's eye was on him all the time.

He seemed not to care to meet it.

"Bound for Para, no doubt," he said at last. "I do wish I were on board."

"No doubt, Mr. Peter, and really we seem to be taking you on this expedition somewhat against your will?"

"True; and I am a man of the world, and have not failed to notice that I am in some measure under the ban of suspicion.

"Yet, I think you are not unfriendly to me," he added.

"No, Mr. Peter, I am unfriendly to no one."

"Then, might you not use your influence with your friend, Mr. St. Clair, to let me catch the first boat back to Para?"

"I cannot interfere with Mr. Roland St. Clair's private concerns. If he suspects you of anything in the shape of duplicity or treachery and you are innocent, you have really nothing to fear. As to letting you off your engagement, that is his business. I can only say that the tenure of your office is not yet complete, and that you are his head-clerk for still another year."

"True, true, but I came as governor of the estate, and not to accompany a mad-cap expedition like this. Besides, Mr. Temple, I am far from strong. I am a man of peace, too, and have hardly ever fired a revolver in my life.

"But I have another very urgent reason for getting back to England--"

"No doubt, Mr. Peter!"

This was almost a sneer.

"No doubt--but I interrupt you."

"My other reason may appeal to you in more ways than one. I am in love, Mr. Temple--"

"You!"

"I am in love, and engaged to be married to one of the sweetest girls in Cornwall. If I am detained here, and unable to write, she may think me dead--and--and--well, anything might happen."

"Pah, Mr. Peter! I won't say I don't believe you, but instead of your little romance appealing to me, it simply disgusts me. I tell you straight, sir, you don't look like a man to fall in love with anything except gold; but if the young lady is really fond of you, she will lose neither hope nor heart, even if she does not hear of you or from you for a year or more."

Then, seeing that he seemed to wound this strange man's feelings:

"Pardon my brusqueness, Mr. Peter," he added more kindly. "I really do not mean to hurt you. Come, cheer up, and if I can help you--I will."

Peter held out his hand.

d.i.c.k simply touched it.