They had passed a sharp bend nearly half a
mile back, and the lieutenant said, "Look out for a landing place
at the deepest point of the curve, Harris."
"Aye, aye, sir!" the coxswain said, standing up. A minute later he
brought the boat alongside, at a point which was free from bushes,
and where the bank was but two feet above the water's edge.
CHAPTER VII.
"Now, Mr. Balderson, take Harper and Winthorpe, and make your way
through the jungle as noiselessly as possible. It is probable that
the path runs within fifty yards of this point, possibly it is only
half a dozen. When you have found it, send Winthorpe back to me
with the news. Take that long coil of thin rope that is in the bow,
and pay it out as you go along. You might get lost even within two
yards of the stream, and it would be dangerous to call or whistle.
It will enable me to join you. Leave your muskets behind, lads; they
would only be in the way in the jungle, and you have your pistols
and cutlasses. You take the lantern, Winthorpe, and Harper, do you
take the rope. Fasten one end to the thwart before you start, or,
without knowing it, you might drag it after you."
Dick led the way, the others following close behind, but as soon
as they were among the trees, he was obliged to take the lantern,
for the darkness was so intense that he could not see an inch before
him and would have been torn to pieces by the thorny creepers had
he tried to penetrate without a light.
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