Times beyond counting they had been assured by the natives that
no mortal could fairly penetrate that vast wilderness. Natural
obstacles were too great for any man to surmount, without saying
aught of what lay beyond; of the enormous animals, such as the
civilised world never knew or fought with; of the terrible
natives, taller than the pines, larger than the hills, more
powerful by far than the gods themselves, eager to slay and to
devour,--so eager that, at times, living flesh and blood was more
grateful than all to their depraved tastes!

"Do you really reckon there is anything in it all, Bruno?" asked
the younger brother in lowered tones, glancing across to where
their uncle was busily engaged in those comparatively trifling
repairs.

"It hardly seems possible, and yet--would the members of four
different tribes tell a story so nearly alike, without they had
at least a foundation of truth to go upon?"

"That's right. And yet--the inland sea sounds natural enough. We
know, too, that there are such things as underground rivers,
outside of Jules Verne's yarns. But those animals,--or
reptiles,--which?"

"Both, I believe," answered Bruno, with a subdued laugh.

"That's all right, old man. I never was worth a continental when
it came to such things. I prefer to live in the present, and
so--well, now, will you just look at that old cow!"