"I didn't mean that: I meant your sun, squire--the one inside a man which gets clouded over sometimes, and means dumps till it comes out again and lights him up. Sun's in: a man can't eat. Sun's out: he can. See?" "Yes," said Brace, laughing; "I think I shall have an appetite to-day." The next minute he was proving his words; but his efforts did not bring him abreast of the captain and the others, though the captain said afterwards in confidence: "The passengers did not play such a very bad knife and fork." CHAPTER SIXTEEN. RAPID PROGRESS. A favourable breeze sent the brig higher and higher up the river all that day, the captain taking advantage of the many broad reaches to spread ample canvas. There was only one drawback to their full enjoyment, and that was the absence of the wounded man. Brace had the satisfaction of seeing his brother asleep again and again, sinking into pleasant restful slumbers, from which he awoke sensibly refreshed and freed from fever. In fact, all cause for anxiety seemed to have disappeared, and all on board became more cheerful. The banks of the river were for the most part densely wooded, but twice over open park-like patches were passed where the trees were grand in the extreme, having ample room to grow in the rich soil unfettered by the parasites and vines which wove their brethren of the dense jungle into an impassable wall of verdure. No landing was attempted, the experience they had gained making the travellers disposed to wait until more open country was reached and they could feel more secure. The captain asked Briscoe what more he could wish for. "If you take a boat it will only be to go up a small stream and look for curiosities. You can do that as well here on board the brig without fagging the men with rowing along under the trees, where there is not a breath of air. Look yonder now: I don't suppose you'd see such a thing as that if you were rowing. The noise of the oars would make it dive and keep out of sight." "What is it?" said Brace: "it looks like a buffalo bathing." "Not it, sir. Look again." "A dugong," said Briscoe, cocking and raising his double rifle. "Dugong or manatee. Sea-cows, we call 'em. Going to shoot it, sir?" The American hesitated. "It seems tempting," he said; "but I don't know. It's too big for a specimen." "And not very good to eat; at least, I don't suppose we should like it." "I've got it now," said Brace, who had hurriedly adjusted his glass and was watching the huge creature, which kept on showing itself in a muddy bend of the river a few yards from the bank. "It looks like a monstrous seal." "Something like a seal, squire, but I should say it was more like a walrus. It hasn't got the great tusks of the walrus, though. You can see it well, eh?" "Capitally," replied Brace. "Not dangerous, are they?"