There could be no doubt that they mourned the poor fellow as much as did the explorers who had witnessed his death.
The surroundings of the camp were so frightful that the Professor proposed they should get beyond sight of it by drifting further down stream, a proposal to which his companion willingly agreed.
What should be done with the body of Quincal?
This was the question which caused the party to hesitate a minute or two after the canoe was shoved into the water and ready to float down stream.
The wishes of his companions were asked, and Bippo replied that the most fitting burial, and one in accordance with the peculiar customs of their people, was to give it burial in the Xingu.
This was in consonance with the feelings of Grimcke and Long, and they at once made arrangements to carry out the plan.
The remains were tenderly carried into the boat, and a large stone fastened by means of a piece of rope to the ankles, which were tied together.

Then the craft was paddled to the middle of the river, and the body carefully lifted over the side.

Holding it thus suspended for a minute or two, Jared Long and the Professor lifted their hats and closed their eyes while the New Englander uttered a brief prayer, committing the soul to Him who gave it, commending the other body, lying alone in the dark forest where it had fallen, to the same merciful Father, and beseeching his protection to the living through the perils by which they were environed.

A splash followed, and all that was mortal of the native sank out of sight to sleep until awakened by the trump of the resurrection morn.
The sad duty completed, the attention of the party was given to the duties before them.
It was a sorrowful reflection, that, since the set of sun, two of their number had yielded up their lives, and they had barely reached the edge of the Matto Grosso, that land of mystery into which they hoped to penetrate far enough to learn much that was yet unknown to the civilized world.
If they were compelled to pay such fearful toll before they were fairly within the strange region, what was to be the cost of exploring the wild country itself?
But while Bippo and Pedros were more anxious than ever to leave the section with its dreadful memories behind them, neither dare give expression to his thoughts, and the German and American were not made of the stuff which yields when first exposed to the fire.
They reasoned that if there were no such formidable difficulties to overcome, others would have visited the country long before and explored it so fully that nothing would be left for those who came after them.

The prize is the most valuable for which the highest price is exacted.