Chapter Forty Six.
A Knot in the Network.
Incredulity was impossible, although at first it was very hard to believe. But there was the fact. They had been wandering through the sluggish network of streams of a vast tropic, marshy forest, until a tremendous storm in the hinterland had flooded the low country and they had been swept out again far away from the spot where the Spanish captain had guided them in, and, as they were soon to learn, for reasons of his own.
Without question they had descended some miles along the main river, which ran swiftly, burdened as it was by the waters of the flood, but not sufficiently to do more than raise it to a rather abnormal height. Still it was not safe to continue their journey downward by night, and in spite of the anxiety of all, the boat was moored to a huge tree up which the water had risen some three or four feet, and all anxiously watched for the coming of the next day. They slept but little, for there was so much to discuss, the doctor feeling now sure that when they missed the Spanish captain it must have been because when all were asleep he had stolen down to where the two blacks would be waiting for him with their canoe, and then gone on up the river beyond their camp.
“But I don’t see quite what for, uncle,” said Rodd.
“I do,” cried Moray. “He knew the country so well, and our ignorance, which would make us go wandering helplessly about, while he knew of a nearer way out into this river again, through which we seem to have been providentially swept.”
“That’s right—quite right, Moray,” said the doctor. “You see now, Rodd?”
“Yes, uncle, it’s quite clear now. I wish I wasn’t so dense. Do you see, Joe?”
“I didn’t afore, sir; but it’s all as clear as crystal now, and I should just like to explain it to the lads. My word, gentlemen! That chap’s been running up a big bill again hisself, and when we get hold of him he’ll have to pay!”
“What are you thinking of, Moray?” said Rodd, a little while after, while they were sitting listening in the darkness to the murmur of Joe’s voice forward as he was explaining matters to the men.