“Ay, ’twas; and if you wouldn’t mind saying you were so hungry you didn’t know what to do, it would be doing us all a kindness, and make Mr Brazier think about meat instead of vegetables.”
He gave his head a nod sidewise at Brazier’s back, for as the men rested under the shade of a tree the naturalist was busy hauling down some lovely clusters of blossoms from overhead.
“You mean you want some dinner, Shaddy?”
“That’s it, sir. This here engine will soon stop working if you don’t put on more coal.”
“I’ll give him a hint,” said Rob, laughing; and he did, the result being that Brazier gave the word for the men to row right across toward the clearing—a task they eagerly commenced in spite of the heat and the sturdy effort required to force a way through the dense covering of broad green leaves. They had the river to cross on their way, and as the clear stream was neared a long way above its exit from the lake the men, as if moved by one impulse, ceased rowing, and paused to take their breath before making a sturdy effort to cross it without losing ground.
It was a necessary precaution, for the moment the bows of the boat issued from among the dense growth the stem was pressed heavily downward, and the opposite side of the stream was reached after quite a sharp fight. Then the long, steady pull was commenced again, and, with the leaves brushing against the side, they forced their way onward till the clearing came in view.
The faint curl of bluish smoke encouraged the men to fresh efforts, all thinking of broiled deer meat and a fragrant cup of coffee, both of which afforded grateful refreshment soon after they touched the shore.
“Will it be safe to attempt to continue our journey down that part of the river?” Brazier asked as they were seated afterward in the shade.
“Oh yes, sir, safe enough,” replied Shaddy.
“But suppose we have to come back the same way?”