At the break of dawn Bomba was at work again. Ashati helped him, while Neram went off in search of jaboty eggs so that they could conserve their remaining supply of meat.
Some time later he returned, triumphantly displaying six large eggs.
“There were more there, but I could not carry them,” he said, as he built a fire with which to prepare breakfast. “I saw a tapir, too, but could not kill him because I had gone out without my bow and arrows.”
“Foolish one to hunt without weapons,” reproved Ashati, looking up for a moment from his work. “Ashati would know better.”
“The next time Ashati shall do the hunting,” returned Neram, and went on stolidly with his preparations.
By the time the sun was high in the heavens the crude canoe was finished. A paddle was then fashioned from a sapling, that for all its slenderness was strong enough to breast the current of even that raging river.
Their temporary captive had explained to Bomba that he must launch his boat at some little distance up the river, where the current was not so strong. From there he could let himself go with the rushing waters until he came to a place where the waters widened out and were not so tumultuous.
When he reached this portion of the stream, the native had said, he would see at a distance a long island, the shape of a finger, extending into the river. After he had reached and passed this on the eastern side, he would find himself in a place more easily navigable for his small craft.
Up this calmer stretch of water Bomba had been directed to paddle until he should come in sight of Snake Island, half hidden behind a jutting point of the mainland.
Bomba had taken it for granted that Ashati and Neram would accompany him. There was room for the three of them, and there would be less danger of capsizing if the canoe were well weighted down.