Chapter Fifteen.
Foe or Friend?
It was still dark when Rob awoke, and lay listening to the heavy breathing of the other occupants of the boat. Then, turning over, he settled himself down for another hour’s sleep.
But the attempt was vain. He had had his night’s rest—all for which nature craved—and he now found that he might lie and twist and turn as long as he liked without any effect whatever.
Under these circumstances he crept softly out and looked at the cool, dark water lying beneath the huge leaves, some of which kept on moving in a silent, secretive manner, as if the occupants of the lake were trying to see what manner of thing the boat was, which lay so silent and dark on the surface.
It had been terribly hot and stuffy under the awning, and the water looked deliciously cool and tempting. There was a fascination about the great, black leaves floating there, which seemed to invite the lad to strip off the light flannels in which he had slept, to lower himself gently over the side, and lie in and on and amongst them, with the cool water bracing and invigorating him ready for the heat and toil of the coming day.
It would be good, thought Rob. Just one plunge and a few strokes, and then out and a brisk rub.
But there were the alligators and fish innumerable, nearly all of which had been provided by nature with the sharpest of teeth.
He shuddered at the thought of how, as soon as his white body was seen in the water, scores of voracious creatures might make a rush for him and drag him down among the lily stems for a feast.