"Charlie," he continued, "in the event of Benee not turning up within the next week or two, remember the task of guiding us to the very palace gates of the cannibal king devolves upon you."
"You speakee me too muchee fly-high Englese," said Charlie. "But Charlie he thinkee he understand. You wantee me takee you to de king's gate. I can do."
"That is enough, Charlie, and we can trust you. You have hitherto been very faithful, and what we should do without you I know not."
"Now, Dick, I guess we'll get down a little more speedily than we came up."
"We'll try, Roland, old man."
All preparations were now made to camp near to the river, where the canoes were moored.
They did not expect any attack by armed Indians, nevertheless it was deemed well to be on the safe side.
Spades and shovels were accordingly brought into use, and even before sunset a deep trench and embankment were thrown up around the tents, and at nightfall sentries were posted at each corner.
For a few days the weather was so cold and stormy that there was little comfort in either shooting or fishing. It cleared up after this, however, and at noon the sun was almost too hot.
They found caves in the rocks by the river-side in which were springs bursting and bubbling up through limestone rocks, and quartz as white as the driven snow. The water was exquisitely cool and refreshing.