The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-20

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noon the stream they were on merged its waters with
those of a much larger river, which was flowing to the
northeast.
''Good!' exclaimed Professor Barton, as the float
glided out into the larger stream; 'we are now, no doubt,
upon a direct branch Of the Orinoco, and cannot be many
days journey from some settlement Of white men. Let
US press on as fast as possible, therefore, with our voyage.
It may be that we, by putting ourselves on short rations,
have enough to last until we reach the nearest town or
village. If not, we can stop to hunt when our supply is
is to push forward with the least possible delay.'
To this his companions assented, and for the remain
der of that day and all of the next, the voyage continued
without interruption. But as they partook of their sup
marked:
eve have now eaten the last mouthful of our pro-
visions, and tomorrow we must devote to securing a new
supply"
s'There ought to be game enough about here,'' Todd
put in, glancing up at the great forest which hemmed
them in on all sides; E'but with only a sword and bow and
two arrows we run a small chance of getting any of it."
"We will try our BEST, Rod said; "then if we fail,
we must go hungry. I see no other way out of it."
Admaxla took up the only sword they possessed, and
had cut off from the painter of the raft. '3It ism It a
handsome SPEAK, he continued, when the task was fin
not get in front of it. Take the bow and arrows, Rod, and
come on.'
Thus equipped, the two lads plunged into the forest
to the north of their stopping place.
Hour after hour passed, and still they were absent.
At length the manufacturer and his two companions be-
came alarmed, and were making ready to start out in
search of the missing boys, when Admaxla came stagger-
ing down the bank, his face drawn and white, and his eyes
filed with grief.
He was too exhausted to speak for some moments, but
after food and water had been given him, was able to tell
his story, a little at a time.
Rod and he had gone some distance down the stream
without seeing game of any kind, and were almost ready
to turn back, when suddenly some large animal started up
from a thicket just ahead of them, and made off thru the
trees. a-
Rod, who was some distance in advance, fastened
after the fleeing creature, calling out:
"Come on, Admaxla! Here's food enough for a week,
if we can only catch this fellow
The native lad broke into a run, hoping to overtake
his comrade, when he struck his foot against a root and
fell headlong to the ground. Rising as quickly as possible,
he found Rod was already out of sight, but thinking little
of that, he hurried on in the direction the boy had taken,
expecting every minute to come in sight of him. He had
disappeared as completely and suddenly as tho the earth
had opened and swallowed him up.
at last from sheer WEAKNESS. Then he reasoned that Rod
was probably all right, and would doubtless make his way
back to the raft.
AS the young Antalcan finished his story, a silence
fell upon the little group. It was at length broken by Mr..
Todd, who said, with a sob in his voice:
'We must try to find the lad at once, MI. Barton
''Indeed we must!' the aeronaut responded heartily;
ftbut we must prepare for the search first. Night will
soon be here, and we must have torches. These were
hastily provided from some resinous trees on the river
bank; and then the rescuing party set forth. It consisted
of the professor, MI. Todd, and his nephew. Admaxla had
begged earnestly to accompany them, but Mr.. Barton said
"No, my lad. You are already tired out; and it is
needful that one of us should remain here in case Rod
should come while the others are gone. BE brave and
keep up a good heart.'
All night the search was continued, but without sue
cess. At dawn the searchers returned to the raft, only to
find Admaxla alone. A needed rest was taken, and for the
second time the rescuing party went forth. The region
was secured for five miles around, but no signs of the
missing lad appeared. It now seemed useless to continue
the search; but at Mr.. Todd's earnest request the voyage
was delayed for another day, and one or two short trips
were made into the forest. Like all the others, however,
they were fruitless.
On the third day after the unfortunate disappearance
of Rod, therefore, the little band, with sorrowful hearts,
resumed their journey. This was absolutely necessary it
they were to reach the coast alive, for their supply of food
had given out; and the lack of suitable weapons (for thei1
bow and arrows were in the possession of the lost boy
prevented them from securing any of the game with which
the forest abounded. In truth, the voyagers now had but
little hope of escaping from the wilderness. Weakened
as they were, and without provisions, a settlement must b
close at hand, or they should perish.