“I hear a faint noise, like a breeze in the tree-tops,” he said. “Yes. That’s it. But it’s not wind, it’s water.” “Yes, it is water. I can hear it better now. It must be a big river.” “With a high fall in it. Only a great waterfall could make such a noise.” “What will we do?” David asked. “Go to it. It’s just what we want. We’ll make a raft and drift down with the current.” Miguel’s dark face lighted up with enthusiasm. “It will be easier than having to walk.” “First, let’s eat. I’m almost starved,” David suggested. “Me, too. But I’m afraid to start a fire. Better wait until we get to the river,” Miguel said apprehensively. “There can’t be too much distance between the Indians and us to suit me.” They tramped on. David was now trailbreaker. They took turns at this for the vegetation was growing heavier constantly and the leader had to use his knife frequently to cut through the sprouts and creepers that disputed their way. It was after cutting a path through one of the thickets that David caught sight of some living creature disappearing among the dense growth. He did not know what it was, for the glimpse had been a fleeting one, so he stopped to tell Miguel, but before he had finished the sentence an arrow tore its way through the leaves a few inches on one side of them. They needed no further proof to tell them that the vanishing form had been that of an Indian. Dashing back over their trail they fled in a wide detour of the spot and then advanced more cautiously. There was no question but that the savage would take up the pursuit. And a long, quavering note like that of a forest dove that reached their ears was a signal to other Indians who must be in the neighborhood. A second call, low and plaintive, came in answer to the first. It was directly in front of them. They dropped into the shadow between two buttressed roots of a giant tree just in time to see two nude savages appear and make their way stealthily toward the spot from which the first one had signalled. “The forest is full of Indians,” Miguel whispered when they had disappeared. “They are calling one another for a discussion. Then they will try to catch us.” “Let’s go, then. The bigger the start we have the harder it will be for them to find us,” David panted. “If we stay here they’re sure to catch us.” “The river! The river!” Miguel whispered. “We must get to the river. Come on.” They darted away at a rapid pace, making toward the roaring sound that was rapidly growing louder. The going was terrible. Instead of stopping to use the knife in clearing a path as before, they crashed through the dense clumps of dwarf bamboo, matted ferns and thick sprouts. The sharp thorns covering some of the growths slashed their clothing into ribbons and tore into their flesh; and more than once they fell to the ground when creepers, like steel wires, encircled their feet and tripped them.