Van, who was an excellent shot with the rifle, managed to shoot a couple of birds resembling partridges, and these made them a fair breakfast.
Then they pushed off their boat and started up the river.
They had not proceeded over a mile when they came upon the two boats which had left them the night before.
They seemed to be drifting down the river with not a soul in either of them, and curious to know what was the matter, they rowed toward them with all their might.
When they reached them, ejaculations of horror went up from all three.
In the boats were the dead bodies of the captain and those who had set out with him, literally hacked to pieces.
"Great God!" groaned Van. "Is this to be our fate, I wonder?"
Neither the mate or Gregory chose to answer his question, but pushed away from the horrible sight with all possible speed.
Just then a rifle shot rang out on the still morning air.
The mate threw up his arms and fell to the bottom of the boat.