“Nor I,” said Briscoe thoughtfully. “There’s plenty of room, and people are too ready to say that nothing more remains to be discovered. Why, only the other day they wouldn’t believe in the existence of the gorilla.”
“Look here,” said Brace; “don’t you think we ought to go back and endeavour to catch one of those young ones?”
“Perhaps,” said the American drily; “but it will mean a fight, and we should have to kill the old one first.”
“Do you think he would make a fight of it?” asked Brace.
“I am certain of it,” said Briscoe. “Suppose we put it off for a day or two and think about it. There is plenty of time, and we are certain to get another chance.”
“Go on, then,” said Brace. “Let’s prospect up to the falls, cross over, and try on the other side for the ducks and fish we have got to take back for the cook.”
Lynton chuckled and sent the boat gliding swiftly along for the next few minutes, opening out again and again lovely vistas of river, forest, and verdant shore, all of which invited landing and promised endless collecting excursions. But the present was looked upon as a tour of inspection, and all eyes scanned the shore and every creek that was passed in search of Indians, a lively recollection of the first boat expedition begetting plenty of caution.
And all the while they sailed on and on towards the grand falls, which rapidly grew in size as they were approached, the water thundering down and the face of the cataract being obscured by the cloud of mist which rose slowly till it was wafted away to fade in the glorious sunshine.