"And this could well be Victoria Falls. I wonder if another Egypt doesn't lie below."
There was awe in Doree's voice. "Before Egypt—"
"What did you say?"
"An Egypt—a great civilization that flourished on this planet before Egypt—before the Terran Egypt was even dreamed of."
Mike smiled fleetingly. "That's what you and your father have believed, isn't it? So why be surprised?"
"It's just that—well, being so close to it—realizing it might really exist—"
Mike laughed. "I understand. But we're still a long way from it." He turned to the Martian. "Come on, Nicko, let's get busy with this stuff."
The portage was laborious and dangerous. It took the balance of that day. Even when the sun set they had still not reached the termination of white water.
They found an open area beside the racing river that would have been covered during high water and Mike decided it would be a good place to camp. While Mike broke out the supplies, and Doree prepared the meal, Nicko stood on the alert with a rifle over his arm scanning the line of undergrowth at the edge of the forest.
After all three had eaten, Mike directed Nicko to bed down in order to be ready for the second watch. He urged Doree to sleep also, but she insisted on sitting with him during his watch. And though her head drooped several times, she remained with him and refused to sleep.