The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-20
CHAPTER XVI.
Down the River.

OOWA Gu0 N4vSI.
AS the two lads saw the plight of their friend, they
came to an abrupt halt. But it was only for a moment.
Separating slightly, and fitting arrows to their bows
in twenty feet of the watching beast. Their boldness
apparently surprised him for a minute or two, and then
he prepared to spring. At that instant, however, Rod
was he, the light shaft sped true to its mark, striking
one of the jaguar's eyes just as he leaped. Blinded by
the wound, the huge creature fell short of his intended
victim, and rolled upon the ground, paving frantically
in his endeavor to draw the offending weapon from his
eye.
But Rod had another arrow already strung, and as
the jaguar Strengthened up, fired again. It was a most
fortunate shot; for the stout shaft, striking the animal
just behind his foreleg, penetrated to the heart, and with
a last snarl he dropped at Todd's feet-dead.
For a moment the boys could not realize their good
fortune. Then with a glad shout they turned their at
found he was only stunned and bruised, and making a
hasty trip to the river, Rod returned with some water in
his cap, which he dashed into the unconscious lad face.
AS soon as Admaxla was sufficiently recovered, the
three boys set out on their return to camp, dragging the
a aszed At them c pen1Ra slS~: but as T thev qq peegi IS eSa0 and ana ao as,
hours later greatly surprised MI. Todd and the professor,
who were already quite alarmed at the prolonged alb:
sence Of the lads, by drawing the ugly beast up to the hut.
The two men listened with bated breath to the thrill
zing story the boys had to tell, but at its close the aero
''This teaches us a lesson we should have learned
sooner: that it is not safe for you to wander far from
the camp with only the primitive weapons you possess,
even if we have less to eat.'
To this the manufacturer added an emphatic approx
al, and then the incident was closed. The lads, however,
were more careful during the remainder of their stay at
the clearing. The work on the raft now progressed rap
idly, and one week after Admaxla's escapade the raft was
finished. .-...
The next morning their fewpossessions were trans
ferred from the hut on shore to the craft, and with a last
look about the clearing which had so long been their homo
in the wilds, the ropes were cast off, and the long voyage
thru unknown regions was begun.
The day passed without event, and when the sun set
camp was constructed on the shore, the float being simply
made fast to the bank at both ends and a watch set.
The next morning the voyage was resumed, and for
an hour the monotony of the surrounding forest and placid
waters was unbroken. Then Rod, who was in charge Of
the steering oar, called out to his comrades, who were
seated forward and busily talking:
"Ahoy, therel Have you noticed how much faster
we have been going for the last ten minutes9 What does
The professor looked up and down the stream for a
moment, and then said:
"I see no great increase of speed, Rod. I think you
are mistaken, - and he went on with his conversation.
Rod was not convinced, however, but said no more
until a low, dull, roaring sound ahead reached his alert
ears. Then he called once more to the aeronaut
"What is that noise, Mr.. Baritone I have heard it
for several minutes"
The professor arose and listened intently for an in
slant. Then he said, with some alarm.
1T is a fall or rapids of some kind. We must turn
in to the shore at once"
But his decision came too late. Attic every effort
was made to head the raft for the bank, it was so un-
wieldy and the current so strong, they were not halfway
there before the rapids were in sight. ~.
For several minutes it seemed as tho they might be
able to run the rapids in safety: But just as the little
party were beginning to congratulate themselves on a safe
passage they reached a point where the stream made q
sharp fall Of some eight or ten feet.
For an instant the float hung on the brink, then, sud
oeny "n1!lng nan AROUND, II plunged ooWn the watery
wall, turning completely over in its descent, and falling,
with a loud splash, bottom side up on the smoother waters
below.
Two things in that sudden disaster were for the ad-
vantage of the voyagers: they were thrown clear of the
overturned raft; and that abrupt fall marked the end Of
the rapids. Finding themselves in calm waters, therefore,
when they arose to the surface, they struck out for the
float, and after considerable exertion succeeded in pushing
it to the shore. Here they took account of their losses.
One small package, of provisions, which Rod had
picked up while swimming TO
the raft; the sword Of Mr.. -
Barton, which he happened to -
have in his belt; two arrows - ;"