Chapter I: Preface

The Amazon! Who has not been thrilled at the mere mention of the words? For the name of the world’s mightiest river suggests not only vast expanses of muddy water, but also the jungle-clad shores and wild hinterland where nature seems to have run riot in the development of strange and interesting vegetation and animal life, and of tribes of savages but little known and less understood. There is romance and adventure to be found in each mile of its yellow flood or gloomy thickets. But to only a few is given the privilege of lifting the veil of mystery that hangs over the Amazon country and of exploring its hidden retreats.

“Adrift on the Amazon” is the story of a youth’s struggles against the seemingly insurmountable difficulties that confronted the intrepid wanderer into the Amazon wilderness.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. FIGHTING JONES 1

II. DAVID LEAVES HOME 13

III. THE AMAZON 21

IV. ROGER’S WORK 36

V. A CHANGE OF FORTUNE 51

VI. HARPOONING A RIVER MONSTER 64

VII. WHEN THE RIVER RAN RIOT 78

VIII. THE ROAD TO LAS PALMAS 91

IX. THE BEAST 104

X. THE ASCENT OF THE UPPER AMAZON 115

XI. IN THE RUBBER FOREST 128

XII. A BATTLE WITH A CROCODILE 140

XIII. ADRIFT IN THE FOREST 154

XIV. THE RESCUE FROM THE ANT ARMY 168

XV. THE CHARGE OF THE INDIANS 178

XVI. THE BATTLE IN THE JUNGLE 191

XVII. THE TERROR OF THE ISLAND 203

XVIII. WHEN THE WATER RAN HIGH 216

XIX. THE BROWN MEN OF THE JUNGLE 229

XX. THE DRIFTING ENDS 242

ILLUSTRATIONS

New cuts were made in the trees for the next day’s supply _Frontispiece_

FACING PAGE

A huge silvery form ... leaped out of the water, rolled and wallowed convulsively, and sank from sight 74

He delivered thrust after thrust with his right at the vulnerable neck and throat 150

Again facing toward the ... white men ... he grasped the arrow in both hands, snapped the shaft in two ... and threw the pieces into the river 232

ADRIFT ON THE AMAZON