In Search of an Unknown Race — page 56: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

48 VAN. voices talking an incomprehensible jargon directly be- neath the platform. _ Almost simultaneously the head and shoulders of the younger Indian appeared atthe opening. <A few words were exchanged between the newcomer and the others. The thongs were loosened about Van's ankles enough to permit him to stand upright. Then by signs he was. instructed to lower himself through the square aperture —which having done, Van found himself on a large raft, manned by a dozen or more Indians. The raft itself was built of logs nearly as light as the wood of the cork tree, bound neatly and compactly together with ropes of palm fibers. At one end wasa palm thatched enclosure serving as a cabin, behind which stood a tall helmsman wielding a broad bladed paddle. It was propelled with rude oars, or, when the wind was fair, with a square sail of closely woven grass matting attached to a yard on a stumpy mast. Whether a white captive was a novelty in the experience of this peculiar people, it was impossible for Van to determine. The same gravity of demeanor was apparent among them as he had noticed on the face of his guard of the previous night. Nor did they seem to look at Van with curiosity. He was passed along something after the manner of a bale of goods to the little cabin astern, and gently motioned to take his seat on the fragrant dry grass which served as carpet and couch. As the raft moved slowly out into the flooded forest, Van vainly endeavored to inquire his destination or fate, CEORMIE IOOLKS. EO)