George supposed it was all right, but he did not know. The matter of water had bothered Ken more than any other thing in consideration of the trip. This river-water was cool and clear; it apparently was safe. But Ken decided not to take any chances, and to boil all the water used. All at once George yelled, “Canvasbacks!” and made a dive for his gun. Ken saw a flock of ducks swiftly winging flight up-stream. “Hold on, George; don’t shoot,” called Ken. “Let’s go a little slow at the start.” George appeared to be disappointed, though he promptly obeyed. Then the boys had supper, finding the russet duck much to their taste. Ken made a note of Pepe’s capacity, and was glad there were prospects of plenty of meat. While they were eating, a group of natives gathered on the bridge. Ken would not have liked to interpret their opinion of his party from their actions. Night came on almost before the boys were ready for it. They replenished the camp-fire, and sat around it, looking into the red blaze and then out into the flickering shadows. Ken thought the time propitious for a little lecture he had to give the boys, and he remembered how old Hiram Bent had talked to him and Hal that first night down under the great black rim-wall of the Grand Cañon. “Well, fellows,” began Ken, “we’re started, we’re here, and the trip looks great to me. Now, as I am responsible, I intend to be boss. I want you boys to do what I tell you. I may make mistakes, but if I do I’ll take them on my shoulders. Let’s try to make the trip a great success. Let’s be careful. We’re not game-hogs. We’ll not kill any more than we can eat. I want you boys to be careful with your guns. Think all the time where you’re pointing them. And as to thinking, we’d do well to use our heads all the time. We’ve no idea what we’re going up against in this jungle.” Both boys listened to Ken with attention and respect, but they did not bind themselves by any promises. Ken had got out the mosquito-netting, expecting any moment to find it very serviceable; however, to his surprise it was not needed. When it came time to go to bed, Hal and George did not forget to slip in between Pepe and Ken. The open-sided tent might keep off rain or dew, but for all the other protection it afforded, the boys might as well have slept outside. Nevertheless they were soon fast asleep. Ken awoke a couple of times during the night and rolled over to find a softer spot in the hard bed. These times he heard only the incessant hum of insects. When he opened his eyes in the gray morning light, he did hear something that made him sit up with a start. It was a deep booming sound, different from anything that he had ever heard. Ken called Pepe, and that roused the boys. “Listen,” said Ken. In a little while the sound was repeated, a heavy “boo-oom!... boo-oom!” There was a resemblance to the first strong beats of a drumming grouse, only infinitely wilder. Pepe called it something like “_faisan real_.”