“Strikes me as the river being very full here the bank give way once upon a time, and this stream winds about till it gets close up to where the falls come down.”
“But water can’t go up hill, man.”
“No, sir, course not; but I thought that if it goes along some valley up to the mountains where the falls come down, it would be an easy way of getting to the foot of the high ground and striking the big river again.”
“Stop a moment: I have heard some talk of a great cascade up north.”
“Yes, sir, where nobody’s never been yet. Seemed to me as it was rather in your way, and you might find some orchids up there as well as here.”
“Of course, of course!” cried Brazier; the idea of being first in the field with a great discovery making his pulses throb. “Tell me all about it.”
“Right, sir, when we’ve had something to eat. It’s ’bout twelve o’clock, and here’s a shady place, so if you give the word we’ll land and cook a bit. Place looks noo, don’t it, sir?”
“New, Naylor! I can never thank you enough.”
“Don’t try then, sir,” said Shaddy, steering the boat in, and with the help of the boatmen laying it ashore close to some huge trees. “Now we shall have to make her fast, for if our boat gets loose the stream will carry her where nobody will ever find her again.”
“I can’t understand it,” said Brazier impatiently, as the Indians leaped ashore, one to make a rope fast, the others to light a fire; “this stream running out of the main river is contrary to nature, unless where it divides at its mouths.”