Chapter I: Preface

Every book should tell its own story without the aid of "preface" or "introduction". But as in this tale I have broken fresh ground, it is but right and just to my reader, as well as to myself, to mention prefatorially that, as far as descriptions go, both of the natives and the scenery of Bolivia and the mighty Amazon, my story is strictly accurate.

I trust that Chapter XXIII, giving facts about social life in La Paz and Bolivia, with an account of that most marvellous of all sheets of fresh water in the known world, Lake Titicaca, will be found of general interest.

But vast stretches of this strange wild land of Bolivia are a closed book to the world, for they have never yet been explored; nor do we know aught of the tribes of savages who dwell therein, as far removed from civilization and from the benign influence of Christianity as if they were inhabitants of another planet. I have ventured to send my heroes to this land of the great unknown, and have at the same time endeavoured to avoid everything that might border on sensationalism.

In conclusion, my boys, if spared I hope to take you out with me again to Bolivia in another book, and together we may have stranger adventures than any I have yet told.

THE AUTHOR.

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CONTENTS

CHAPTER I--ON THE BANKS OF THE GREAT AMAZON
CHAPTER II--STRANGE ADVENTURES IN THE FOREST--LOST!
CHAPTER III--BURNLEY HALL, OLD AND NEW
CHAPTER IV--AWAY DOWN THE RIVER
CHAPTER V--A DAY IN THE FOREST WILDS
CHAPTER VI--"NOT ONE SINGLE DROP OF BLOOD SHED"
CHAPTER VII--"A COLD HAND SEEMED TO CLUTCH HER HEART"
CHAPTER VIII--FIERCELY AND WILDLY BOTH SIDES FOUGHT
CHAPTER IX--THAT TREE IN THE FOREST GLADE
CHAPTER X--BENEE MAKES A STRANGE DISCOVERY
CHAPTER XI--ALL ALONE IN THE WILDERNESS
CHAPTER XII--BENEE ENTRENCHED--SAVAGE REVELS IN THE FOREST
CHAPTER XIII--THE MARCH TO THE LOVELESS LAND
CHAPTER XIV--THE HOME OF THE CANNIBAL--BENEE'S ROMANCE
CHAPTER XV--SHOOKS-GEE'S STORY--A CANNIBAL QUEEN
CHAPTER XVI--ON THE BANKS OF A BEAUTIFUL RIVER
CHAPTER XVII--BILL AND HIS BOATS
CHAPTER XVIII--AS IF STRUCK BY A DUM-DUM BULLET
CHAPTER XIX--STRUGGLING ONWARDS UP-STREAM
CHAPTER XX--THE PAGAN PAYNEES WERE THIRSTING FOR BLOOD
CHAPTER XXI--THE FOREST IS SHEETED IN FLAMES
CHAPTER XXII--EVENINGS BY THE CAMP FIRE
CHAPTER XXIII--A MARVELLOUS LAKE IN A MARVELLOUS LAND--LA PAZ
CHAPTER XXIV--BENEE'S STORY--THE YOUNG CANNIBAL QUEEN
CHAPTER XXV--BENEE'S MOTHER TO THE FRONT
CHAPTER XXVI--THE PALE-FACE QUEEN HAS FLED
CHAPTER XXVII--THE FIGHT AT THE FORT
CHAPTER XXVIII--THE DREAM AND THE TERROR!
CHAPTER XXIX--EASTWARD HO! FOR MERRIE ENGLAND

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ILLUSTRATIONS

"Brawn ... dashed on to the rescue" . . . . . . _Frontispiece_

"Brawn sprang at once upon his man"

"She ... held her at arm's-length"

"Fire low, lads ... don't waste a shot!"

IN FAR BOLIVIA