Money would be of no use in the extreme wilds. Salt, and cloth of gaudy colours, to say nothing of beads, would be bartered for articles of necessity.
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Everything was ready for the start, but still there were no signs of Bill and the boats.
It was the first question Roland asked Dick of a morning, or Dick asked Roland, according to who happened to be first up:
"Any signs of Bill and the boats?"
"None!"
On the top of a cliff at the bend of the beautiful river stood a very tall tree, and right on top of this was an outlook--an Indian boy, who stayed two hours on watch, and was then relieved.
He could command quite an extensive view downstream, and was frequently hailed during the day and asked about Bill and his boats, but the answer would come somewhat dolefully:
"Plenty boat, sah, but no Beel."
Yes, there were boats of many kinds, and a few steamers now and then also, but Roland held no intercourse with any of these. His little army was encamped on an open clearing well back in the forest. He did not wish to know anyone's business, and he determined that his own should not leak out.