“He doesn’t appear to have moved,” she said. She reduced the scale until it was equivalent to the scale on the contour map, then located the red dot. “He’s still in the same spot in the marshy clearing.”

“At least we can solve that mystery, even if we don’t see any of the others,” Kevin said.

Ahead, they approached the hundred-foot-high wall of jungle. As they rounded the final bend in the marsh, they could see the channel disappear into the riot of vegetation.

“We’ll be in shade in a moment,” Candace said. “That should make it a lot cooler.”

“Don’t count on it,” Kevin said.

Pushing branches to the side, they silently slid into the perpetual darkness of the forest. Contrary to Candace’s hopes it was like a muggy, claustrophobic hot house. There was not a breath of air, and everything dripped moisture. Although the thick canopy of tree limbs, twisted vines, and hanging mosses completely blocked the sunlight, it also held in the heat like a heavy woolen blanket. Some of the leaves were up to a foot in diameter. Everyone was shocked by how dark it was in the tunnel of vegetation until their eyes began to adjust. Slowly details appeared out of the dank gloom until the scene resembled late twilight just before nightfall.

Almost from the moment the first branches snapped in place behind them, they were assaulted by swarms of insects: mosquitoes, deer flies, and trigona bees. Melanie frantically located the insect repellant. After dousing herself, she passed it to the others.

“It smells like a damn swamp,” Melanie complained.

“This is scary,” Candace commented from her position in the bow. “I just saw a snake, and I hate snakes.”

“As long as we stay in the boat, we’ll be fine,” Kevin said.

“So, let’s not tip over,” Melanie said.

“Don’t even suggest it!” Candace moaned. “You guys have to remember I’m a newcomer. You’ve been in this part of the world for years.”

“All we have to worry about are the crocs and hippos,” Kevin said. “When you see one, let me know.”

“Oh, great!” Candace complained nervously. “And just what do we do when we see one?”

“I didn’t mean to worry you,” Kevin said. “I don’t think we’ll see any until we come to the lake.”

“And what then?” Candace questioned. “Maybe I should have asked about the dangers of this trip before I signed on.”

“They won’t bother us,” Kevin said. “At least that’s what I’ve been told. As long as they are in the water, all we have to do is stay a reasonable distance away. It’s when they’re caught on land that they can be unpredictably aggressive, and both crocs and hippos can run faster than you’d think.”

“All of a sudden, I’m not enjoying this at all,” Candace admitted. “I thought it was going to be fun.”

“It wasn’t supposed to be a picnic,” Melanie said. “We’re not sightseeing. We’re here for a reason.”

“Let’s just hope we’re successful,” Kevin said. He could appreciate Candace’s state of mind. Kevin marveled that he’d been talked into coming himself.