The fishermen, on being asked if they would consent to act as guides, willingly agreed to do so; and, as the river was too shallow to allow of the boats proceeding up-stream, the naval contingent was landed at a convenient spot on the left bank, and quickly formed up for an advance. The country here was fortunately open and fairly level; and, though there was no road, the ground was firm under the men's feet, and not obstructed by scrub or jungle. The only signs of vegetation were a few mangrove-bushes that lined the banks of the muddy, sluggish stream, and an occasional clump of lofty bamboos. The officers were of opinion that the fishermen were speaking the truth, but every precaution was taken to guard against treachery by throwing out scouts and an advanced line of skirmishers. The excitement of action enabled Thring to keep up his spirits to a certain extent, but he had a terrible foreboding that the treacherous Arabs would not scruple to murder his chum should it suit their purpose to do so. Certainly there were some grounds for his fears. The little middy felt as if he had lived a lifetime in the last few days, so great had been the tension. As far as possible the brigade followed the course of the river, which was not a sinuous one, its turbid current flowing evenly between oozy mudbanks, whereon an occasional crocodile was seen basking in the hot rays of the tropic sun. These repellent reptiles slid off almost noiselessly into the water on viewing the approach of human beings. Every moment--early as it was--the heat grew more intense, and a veritable plague of flies attacked the men on the march; but the gallant fellows made light of all these annoyances, and joked and laughed like a lot of light-hearted schoolboys out for a picnic. The idea that the kidnapped middy might be cruelly murdered did not occur to them. As Lobb confided to one of his cronies: "In course there'll be a bit of a scrimmage, mate, and then we'll have the young gentleman back amongst us as right as a trivet, d'ye see?" After an arduous forced march of three hours or so, the village was reported to be in sight, and every heart beat high with expectation. A considerable détour had been made in the last three miles, so as, if possible, to enable the force to make an attack upon the village in the rear, and also for the purpose of avoiding some patches of forest near the river. Several natives had been seen making their way rapidly in the direction of the settlement, and there could be no doubt that they would give the alarm to those within the rude but strong palisades that formed the warlike chief's principal line of defence. A halt was called under the shade of some trees, and the officers conferred together for a few moments.