So little was known of the mighty stream that they regarded every stretch and turn with keen interest.

It was not beautiful now, a vast, brown flood flowing between low and changing shores, but in its size and loneliness it had a majesty peculiarly its own.
Wild geese and wild ducks flew over the river in abundance, and they were so little used to man that often they passed near "The Galleon." The fowling pieces proved useful again, as the five were able to sit in comfort on their boat and shoot geese and ducks for their needs.

Some were of kinds that they had never seen before, but all proved to be good eating, and they were welcome.
Jim Hart also exercised his ingenuity in a very useful manner.

In the prow of the boat, but under the tarpaulin, he spread a layer of mud about two inches thick.

Protected from the rain, it soon dried, forming a hard, impervious, brick-like covering for the bottom of the boat, and upon this he built a small smothered fire of dry sticks, a supply of which they kept in the boat.