They expected to be able to shoot
game on their way, and this would provide them
food in addition to the concentrated supply they
carried. Small tents, in sections, were carried,
there being two, one for Tom and Ned and one
for Mr. Damon and the professor.
As far as could be learned from a casual
inspection, Jacinto and his deserting Indians had
taken back with them only a small quantity of
food. They were traveling light and down
stream, and could reach the town much more
quickly than they had come away from it.
"That Beecher certainly was slick," commented
Professor Bumper when they were ready to
start. "He must have known about what time
I would arrive, and he had Jacinto waiting for
us. I thought it was too good to be true, to get
an experienced guide like him so easily. But it
was all planned, and I was so engrossed in thinking
of the ancient treasures I hope to find that
I never thought of a possible trick. Well, let's
start!" and he led the way into the jungle, carrying
his heavy pack as lightly as did Tom.
Professor Bumper had a general idea in which
direction lay a number of native villages, and it
was determined to head for them, blazing a path
through the wilderness, so that the Indians could
follow it back to the goods left behind.
It was with rather heavy hearts that the party
set off, but Tom's spirits could not long stay
clouded, and the scientist was so good-natured
about the affair and seemed so eager to do the
utmost to render Beecher's trick void, that the
others fell into a lighter mood, and went on
more cheerfully, though the way was rough and
the packs heavy.
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