branches and creepers to form a substantial raft. The doctor

climbed on, after which Bearwarden and Ayrault cast off, having

prepared long poles for navigating. With a little care they kept

their bark from catching on projecting roots, and as the stream

continued to widen till it was about one hundred yards across,

their work became easy. Carried along at a speed of two or three

miles an hour, they now saw that the water and the banks they

passed were literally alive with reptiles and all sorts of