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112 pages

English

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Intrepid pals Bob Holton and Joe Lewis were born with wanderlust pumping through their veins. Their fathers are both in charge of landing precious art and objects for major institutions in Washington, D.C., and the quest for the world's most valuable artifacts takes them -- and their sons -- on adventures around the globe. This tale takes the quartet to Brazil, where a jungle trek goes horribly awry.

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Adventure (Guyana)

Adventure

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Publié par	The Floating Press
Date de parution	01 février 2014
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781776530434
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0134€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

Extrait

LOST IN THE WILDS OF BRAZIL
* * *
JAMES H. FOSTER

*
Lost in the Wilds of Brazil First published in 1933 Epub ISBN 978-1-77653-043-4 Also available: PDF ISBN 978-1-77653-044-1 © 2013 The Floating Press and its licensors. All rights reserved. While every effort has been used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in The Floating Press edition of this book, The Floating Press does not assume liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in this book. The Floating Press does not accept responsibility for loss suffered as a result of reliance upon the accuracy or currency of information contained in this book. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Many suitcases look alike. Visit www.thefloatingpress.com
Contents
*
Chapter I - A Startling Discovery Chapter II - Firebugs at Work! Chapter III - Valuable Information Chapter IV - The Treacherous Crook Chapter V - A Worth-While Offer Chapter VI - Off for the Wilds of Brazil Chapter VII - New York—And On Chapter VIII - The Beginning of Trouble Chapter IX - A Daring Rescue Chapter X - In the Heart of the Jungle Chapter XI - On the Alert Chapter XII - A Fearful Sight Chapter XIII - The Death Struggle Chapter XIV - The Deserted Village Chapter XV - Danger at Hand Chapter XVI - A Thrilling Encounter Chapter XVII - Terrible Peccaries Chapter XVIII - A Nightmare Experience Chapter XIX - The Call for Help Chapter XX - Fighting Against Heavy Odds Chapter XXI - Magnificent Country Chapter XXII - Lost in the Wilds of Brazil Chapter XXIII - Terrible Cries of Savages Chapter XXIV - The Hideous Village Chapter XXV - Reunion at Last Chapter XXVI - The Terrible Battle Chapter XXVII - Human Heads Still Dripping! Chapter XXVIII - The Forced Get-Away
Chapter I - A Startling Discovery
*
"Look here, Joe. There's something stirring. I know the signs. Ourdads wouldn't keep together constantly, studying maps and readingbooks and making frequent trips to the museum, for nothing. It—"
"You're right, Bob. They certainly must have something important inmind. And I have an idea as to what it is."
"Another expedition into the unknown," cut in Bob Holton, in tonesthat implied certainty.
"But where, do you suppose?" asked Joe Lewis, his brown eyes sparklingwith interest.
"More than I know," the other youth replied. "Could be any place. Butwherever it is, I'll bet they've been there before. They just travelfrom one end of this little old world to another in search of birdsand reptiles and animals, and they always find them."
"And always will," added Joe with strong conviction. "Why," he wenton, becoming even more absorbed, "do you remember the time they wentto Africa in search of a white rhinoceros?"
"Yes. Looked high and low for several months, and finally got oneafter all hopes had been abandoned. Oh, it takes them to do it. Justlet the curator mention the things wanted, and if it's at allpossible, our dads will get them. All specimens are alike to—"
He was interrupted by the sound of footsteps from the side of thehouse and turned to see who the person might be. While he is lookingexpectantly, it might be well to tell who the boys were, and what hadbeen their experiences up to the time this story opens.
Bob was a big fellow, strong and muscular, and endowed with theability to do the right thing at the right time. He was one of thestar players on the high school football team. Everyone liked him—hewas so straightforward and sympathizing and trustworthy.
Joe was of medium size, with almost black eyes and a naturally darkcomplexion. He was lighter and less robust than his friend, but waspossessed of fierce courage and bravery. He never started a thingwithout finishing it.
Mr. Holton and Mr. Lewis, fathers of the youths, were notednaturalists and collectors of specimens for museums and zoos. They hadbeen nearly everywhere and always welcomed any hint that might startthem on a new trip into the unknown. The two men had met several yearsbefore at a convention of scientists, and took a great liking to eachother. As they both lived in Washington, D. C., they agreed to worktogether in behalf of a large museum, and Mr. Lewis made an attempt topurchase the residence next to that of his friend. He was at lastsuccessful in acquiring it, and then began the warm friendship betweenthe two youths, Bob and Joe.
The boys were together much of their time and got along excellently,following in their fathers' footsteps as much as possible by takinghikes into the woods to study nature. Fresh with the vigor of youth,they were having a grand time together, but would have had a stillgreater one had they been permitted to accompany the men on thevarious scientific expeditions.
"You're only freshmen," Mr. Holton had told them, about three yearsbefore. "Wait till you're juniors or seniors, and then perhaps we willconsider taking you along."
Now the boys were in their senior year, or would be when school openedthe coming fall, and were eagerly anticipating the future.
"If they'd only make a trip this summer," said Joe, shortly afterschool had closed. "Then we might—"
Let us return to the boys, as they cast glances at the side of thehouse. The sound of footsteps grew louder, and the next moment Bob'sfather came into view.
"Hello, Dad."
"Hello, Mr. Holton."
The naturalist returned the greetings and then made his way to a porchseat. Several moments he spent in lighting a cigar. Then he turned tothe youths.
"What's all this praise you've been giving Mr. Lewis and me for ourscientific work?" he asked, trying hard to suppress a smile.
The young men grinned. They had not suspected this.
"You got it right," returned Joe. "You two have done as much for themuseum as anyone else in this old U. S. And that's as straight as alion's tail when he's about to charge."
Mr. Holton laughed unbelievingly.
"I know your game," he chuckled. "You're paving the way to accompanyus on that Brazilian trip we're about to take. Right?"
Bob and Joe jumped to their feet in wild excitement. A trip to Brazil!Think of that! Then their supposition was correct. Something wasstirring after all.
Mr. Holton guessed their thoughts and broke the short period ofsuspense.
"It's an expedition to the jungles of the Amazon," he explained, asthe boys seated themselves and listened with breathless interest."Going to get specimens of fauna for the museum. In addition, we wishto make a study of several wild Indian tribes there. It's a trip I'vealways wished to take, but, strange to say, I've never had theopportunity. You boys probably know that this region is one of theleast-known on the face of the globe. It has the world's heaviestforests, some of the most savage of people, and a wide variety ofbirds and beasts."
"Great!" blurted out Joe in a strange, animated tone. "How wonderfulit would be! Away out in the wildest of Brazilian wilds, seeingstrange and astonishing things—things that only a very few have theopportunity of seeing."
"It's my idea of adventure," declared Bob, taking up where his friendhad left off. "Why can't you arrange to take us with you?"
The scientist eyed the young men intently with an expression ofsympathy.
"Then you want to go that badly?" he asked, and then his eyes fell. Hehad been young himself once. How often had he visualized this verymission! How many times had he tramped through the heavy Westernwoods, imagining himself in a great tropical forest, with itsmysteries, thrills, and tragedies! If those longings could only havebeen satisfied when they were strongest!
For over a minute Mr. Holton stared thoughtfully at the floor. Then,with twinkling eyes, he glanced up at the boys.
"What would you give to go with us?" he asked, his face brightening.
"What!" cried Bob, with a look that combined delight withbewilderment. "You mean that we can go?"
"Not exactly," was the reply. "I just asked you what you'd give togo."
"Everything!" blurted out Joe. "Everything we've got—and then some.Oh, do take us, Mr. Holton," he went on more pleadingly. "We're oldenough by now to take care of ourselves."
"I'd like to have you," the naturalist said. "And so would yourfather. But your mothers—" Here he stopped. It was unnecessary tocontinue. The youths understood.
"But I'm sure they'll consent," Bob said, with a certainty that he wasfar from feeling. "Especially if they know you are willing to haveus."
"Of course there's a possibility," the man assured them. "But Iwouldn't be too sure of it. You know how they are. Unwilling to havetheir sons take any unnecessary risks. Well, perhaps they're right,"he went on, tapping the chair thoughtfully. "Perhaps it isn't best totax good fortune too much. You boys are young and have a great futurebefore you. What if anything should happen—"
"But, Dad," Bob pleaded, "nothing will happen. We'd be with you andMr. Lewis—and anyone else who would be along. Nothing has happened toyou so far. You've always come back O.K."
"We've had some narrow escapes, though," with a shaking of the head."Fever, wild beasts, savages, hurricanes—there's no limit to thenumber of tragedies that may befall an expedition into the unknown.But then," his tones became more lively, "you boys want to go with usregardless of these dangers, and if I must say so, I believe you'dmake a good showing. I'll talk the matter over with Mr. Lewis and yourmothers and let you know later how things look."
"Fine!" cried Bob, overwhelmed with joy. "Now tell us some more aboutthis mission. What section of Amazonia do you intend to explore?"
"The lower middle," was the response. "We intend to follow the Amazonto the Purús River, where we'll branch off and travel by native canoesfor approximately five hundred miles."
Joe gave a long whistle.
"Five hundred miles by canoe!" he gasped, almost unbelievingly. "Seemsalmost impossible. How can you take food enough along?"
"Does seem sort of absurd. But we'll manage it. And we expect to liveon game and fish to a certain extent.