The man nodded at once, when the question was put, then spoke for
a minute or two.

"He says, Captain, that he knows the pool and village; but he has
never been up the small creek that you speak of. Did not know that
a boat could get through. He has been there by a large creek that
runs into the other branch of the river, the one that turns off
twelve miles below this; from that river it is an hour's paddle in
a sampan to the pool."

"How should we know the entrance?" the captain asked.

"Entrance difficult to find," the native replied; "strip of land
runs out from both sides, covered with trees. One goes a little
beyond the other, so that anyone who did not know it would pass the
entrance without noticing it. It is just wide enough for a large
craft to go in and out. There is a village stands a hundred yards
below the entrance; it would be known by a big tree that grows
before a large house close to the bank. The water is deep on that
side. You have only, after passing the village, to keep close in
shore, and you will then see the entrance to the creek. It is called
Alligator Creek, because, more than any place, it swarms with these
creatures."

"Thank you," the captain said. "Will you tell the chief that I say
you have rendered me a valuable service?"

He opened a case in which he kept presents intended for the chiefs,
and took out a brace of handsome pistols, a powder flask, and a