328 Through the Brazilian Wilderness 



annoyances for all of us; but there was no longer the 

 least likelihood of any disaster to the expedition as a 

 whole. We now no longer had to face continual anxiety, 

 the need of constant economy with food, the duty of 

 labor with no end in sight, and bitter uncertainty as to 

 the future. 



It was time to get out. The wearing work, under 

 very unhealthy conditions, was beginning to tell on every 

 one. Half of the camaradas had been down with fever 

 and were much weakened; only a few of them retained 

 their original physical and moral strength. Cherrie and 

 Kermit had recovered; but both Kermit and Lyra still 

 had bad sores on their legs, from the bruises received in 

 the water work. I was in worse shape. The after effects 

 of the fever still hung on ; and the leg which had been hurt 

 while working in the rapids with the sunken canoe had 

 taken a turn for the bad and developed an abscess. The 

 good doctor, to whose unwearied care and kindness I 

 owe much, had cut it open and inserted a drainage tube ; 

 an added charm being given the operation, and the sub- 

 sequent dressings, by the enthusiasm with which the 

 piums and boroshudas took part therein. I could hardly 

 hobble, and was pretty well laid up. But "there aren't no 

 'stop, conductor,' while a battery's changing ground." 

 No man has any business to go on such a trip as ours un- 

 less he will refuse to jeopardize the welfare of his asso- 

 ciates by any delay caused by a weakness or ailment of 

 his. It is his duty to go forward, if necessary on all 

 fours, until he drops. Fortunately, I was put to no such 

 test. I remained in good shape until we had passed the 

 last of the rapids of the chasms. When my serious 



