“We could still go on a few miles farther,” objected Mr. Brewster. “In fact, we might stop almost anywhere on the trail.”
“Plenty of water here,” argued Luiz. “Maybe not in other places.”
Jacome overheard that. The big man supplied a grim but knowing grin as he muttered his own opinion to the boys.
“Maybe and maybe not,” said Jacome. “In wet season, we find water everywhere; in dry season, no. But we came through big rain today, like wet season.”
After brief deliberation, Mr. Brewster gave Luiz the nod.
“We need water,” he agreed, “and perhaps we are too tired to go on much farther today. We will make camp here.”
Hardly had they unloaded their packs before Kamuka suggested to Biff, “Come with me. Maybe we find bellbird.”
They started along a twisty jungle path in the general direction of the distant metallic sound. Kamuka was moving so hurriedly that they were out of sight of camp before Biff caught up with him and reminded him, “They may want to send us for water, back at camp—”
“That can wait,” put in Kamuka. “We find bird first.”
“But you told me before that there was no use looking for the bellbird, that the sound might be far away.”