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Indranath of wood, afraid even to breathe; for what could prevent one of them taking a plunge down on to the canoe itself?

Minutes passed, and at last I could perceive that we were gradually approaching some roaring concourse of waters. I understood, without further questioning, that at the end of this jungle flowed the furious and awe-inspiring river which even steamers could not cross at that time of the year. I could plainly feel the currents becoming swifter and swifter, and the grey masses of foam produced the illusion of large stretches of sand. Indra clambered into the canoe and, taking the paddle in his hand, sat expectant, ready for the impetuous river ahead. 'There is nothing more to fear,' he said. 'Here we come upon the main river.' 'Well and good, if there is nothing to fear,' was my inward comment; 'though I haven't yet been able to find out what there is that would excite your fear.' The next instant a slight tremor passed over the whole canoe, and in the twinkling of an eye I found that she was rushing along at lightning speed, borne by the great tide of the main river.

The moon was then rising behind the scattered clouds; for the darkness in which we had begun our expedition no longer existed. We could now see, though dimly, a good distance on every side. We left the wild casuarina trees and the reef of jowari and maize to our right and proceeded straight ahead.