"What is the matter?" Neal asked in a whisper, and Cummings replied in the same cautious tone:
"Nothing. It would be in the highest degree dangerous to travel very far now that it is light."
"Wouldn't it be safe to go on the bank where we can stretch our legs?"
"We must not leave the boat. It will be only for a few hours, and then we shall have plenty of exercise paddling."
Immediately the canoe had been made fast under the mass of vines and shrubbery Poyor stretched himself out in the bow as if the task of remaining perfectly quiet during an entire day was a very agreeable one, and Cummings followed his example.
Jake, who had been sitting amidships, moved toward his friends, and the three spent an hour talking of what was now termed by all "a foolish venture."
There was nothing left for it, however, but to continue on since they were in the swamp, and after a time Neal said petulantly:
"Well make the best of it, and if an opportunity should occur to go to Merida there must be no hesitation, whatever Cummings may say."
As if this resolution gave them renewed courage, the boys lay down in the most comfortable position possible, after eating a light lunch, and until nightfall no sound save that caused by heavy breathing could have been heard from the boat.
Then, when darkness came again, Poyor, who had remained almost without motion during the entire time of the halt, aroused himself, ate half a dozen bananas, and took up the paddle.
The precautions against being discovered by those who might be on the watch were now redoubled. Before rounding a bend the Indian waited in a listening attitude to assure himself no one was moving in the immediate vicinity, and when it became necessary to work the canoe along by aid of the foliage the utmost care was exercised to prevent the branches from rustling.
As the hours wore on and no attack was made Cummings appeared to be highly elated, and Jake's gloomy forebodings were dispelled in the thought of the treasure which they might be able to bring away.
Once, about midnight, when they halted a moment for Poyor to reconnoiter, Neal whispered to the leader:
"How many nights of this kind of traveling is necessary before we reach the city?"
"When we next halt it will be to leave the boat and continue the journey on foot. It was the possible difficulties, not the distance, which rendered the undertaking formidable."