The jungle felt closer and even more menacing from a small boat in the open river. Jack fingered his revolver as Bertram slowly rowed forward, testing underneath the water with a long pole to search for stakes or other obstructions.
"Here we are," Bertram reported at once. "They"ve staked the deep-water channel."
"Mark the stakes with a flag," Marshall shouted from the bow of Serangipatam. "And secure a line around them."
SerangipatamRough-hewn and pointed, the stakes protruded from the water in an irregular row, securely hammered into the bed of the river and lethal. Bertram stripped off and jumped in the river to tie a line around each. "There are more stakes underwater," he reported.
Insects soon found the men in the boat, buzzing and biting despite any attempts to swat them.
Hurry
