The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-27
AN AERIAL RUWAWA1
By W. p. and &. p Chibnnan.
Copyright. 1901 Lothrop Publishing Company.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE RUBBER GATHERERS.

the oncomng canoe in silence Would the Indians prove
friendly Or would they make them prisoners and keep
them for months, if not for life, slavesY Or would
they with cruel tortures put the entire party to deathl
Was this more and the last link in the chain of mis-
fortunes which had been winding itself about them dur
ing the last few days7 Such the thoughts in their
minds the distance between the two craft rapidly
lessened.
Suddenly Todd cried out
'EThere is white in the boat, professor! and
can it be-yes it is it is! Bod is alive and coming to
meet US! Hurrah! Hurrah!' and the overjoyed lad
danced madly about the raft
A moment two and all convinced Of
the truth of his assertion For not only the ap
preaching boat enough for them to that the
person in it's stern indeed the boy whom they had
given up as lost but that parsonage as tho he desired
to settle all question to his Identity arose
and swung his hat high in the air.
With this salutation misgivng of the voyagers
vanished and they put forth all their efforts to hasten
ing Nor it long before the two craft
together and Rod was in his fathers embrace.
'Come, Rod, - his cousin exclaimed when the greet
ings over "te how you to be down here,
and who these are, and all about everything:'
to Rod he hs sG e
ton first These rubber gatherers, and that is
their yonder Professor Barton can talk Span
understand word Of English, and I've had sorry time
trying to make them comprehend me.''
The aeronaut turned to the natives, who had
manned in their canoe stody gazing at the animated
party the raft and spoke few sentences in Spanish
The Indians replied with single word, upon which
the professor threw them the line which made fast
the front of the float One of them dexterousy caught
the rope, while the others dipped their paddles and
started for their village pulling the larger and more
unwieldy craft after them, and in few moments the
settlement reached and the travellers disembarked
meal was quickly made ready, which, altho rather
the wanderers When the meal had been finished, Rod
told his story. +~.-+
GAS Admaxla has doubt explained to you, he
began, I'VE went for distance down the stream
without falling in with any game Then suddenly from
thcket just in front of there started up large,
brown animal, which I knew must be tapr \atho
had before.
''shouting to Admaxla, who few rods behind
me- to come on dashed away in pursuit Of the animal.
had no idea the huge beast could run so FAST and
expected would overtake it. But the creature
made better speed thru the forest than could and
hear it, and hated expecting to find Admaxla close
behind me. To my alarm he nowhere in sight, nor
could I hear sound except my own heavy breathing.
"Anxious on his account, and not thinking Of
my danger, set out in what supposed to be
the direction of the river intending to secure help and
continue the search for my comrade For a half hour
travelled on shouting at intervals, but receiving
answer did I to the desired stream. It was
not until then it dawned upon me that was the one
who lost. g..
II walked until about dark and then came to the
small river which flows you see down the other side
Of this camp emptes into the larger stream below
the point I knew at that it not the one on
which had been sailing but felt that it into
bank and should find you once more The discovery
infused me with life, and but for the darkness
should have rushed on down the brook.
GAS it was made the best camp could, and passed
very uncomfortable night At dawn I ate the re-
mainder of my Bird and then started down the stream
walked all day without food of kind, and without
coming to the rivers mouth. Tired hungry, despairng
about to lie down for another uncomfortable night
when fell in with Of the rubber gatherers, who
food from his limited supply and then
conducted to this place.
'sTho could not speak word Of their language
they word of mine I managed, by some rude draw
ings the ground, to make them understand that
belonged to small party that was coming down the
big river on raft. They assured that such craft
had passed. and that had but wait here rejoin
you Had you not come today however should have
arranged with the Indians to have taken stream
til we met you. Now tell me of yourselves. :"
Todd and Admaxla between them told of what hae
occurred since Rods disappearance.
At the conclusion Of their conversation Professor
Barton sought their host, and held quite lengthy
interview with him Later he made known to his com
panions what he had learned from the Indian.
ssI fnd,'' said he ttthat the river down which >wt
have been floating raft is the Caroni tributary
of the Orinoco, believed. The smaller river which
ho1ox hie ia a1laf