Already they were over half a mile away, and our friends did not deem it worth while to shoot at them.
But the camp was quickly broken up and all its belongings packed in the boat owned by the Englishmen, which was strong and commodious, and large enough for all hands.
Being aware of this fact, our hero concluded to leave their boat where it was.
When everything was in readiness all hands got into the boat, and the blacks started to row up the river in the wake of Doc Clancy.
[CHAPTER VI.]
A SLIGHT ADVENTURE.
The boat owned by the explorers was much heavier than that in which Doc Clancy and his villainous crowd had gone up the river.
Thus the latter could be rowed faster, and it did not take our friends long to see that they were gradually being left behind.
"Our intention was to follow this river until we reached the branch that flows northward," said Jack Howard. "We then would go up that as far as we could, and then make the rest of our travels on foot. The man you call Doc Clancy is leading us over the very course we want to take, so far."