uel
suggested--being like the rest of his countrymen, of an exceedingly
jealous disposition, it was possible that he would feel somewhat annoyed
at finding two gentlemen domiciled beneath the same roof as his
_inamorata_. At this Smellie drew himself up rather haughtily, and was
beginning to express his profound regret that our presence in the house
should prove the means of introducing a discordant element into an
affair of so delicate a nature, when Don Manuel interrupted him by
assuring us both that he regarded the circumstance as rather fortunate
than otherwise, since, however much he might esteem Senor Madera as an
acquaintance and a man of business, he was by no means the class of
person to whom he would be disposed to confide the happiness of his
daughter.

This little apology and explanation having been made, the party
separated, Smellie retiring to the verandah with a book to study
Spanish, while Don Manuel and I trudged off with our guns and butterfly-
nets as usual.

On our return we found that Madera had again put in an appearance, and
another evening of constraint and irritation was the result. This
occurred also on the third evening, after which for a short time Senor
Madera, apparently conscious of the fact that his company was not
altogether desirable, relieved us of his presence.

Just at this time it happened unfortunately--or fortunately rather, as
the event proved--that Don Manuel was confined to the house, his hand
having been badly stung by some poisonous insect, and I availed myself
of the opportunity to make an exploration of the neighbourhood. We had
of course taken an early opportunity to acquaint Don Manuel with our
expectation that the _Daphne_ would again visit the river at no very
distant period, and that whenever such an event occurred we should make
a very strenuous effort to rejoin her; and he had promised to use every
means that lay in his power to procure for us timely notice of her
arrival, pointing out at the same time the paucity of his sources of
information, and suggesting that whilst it would afford him unmingled
pleasure to retain us as his guests for an indefinite period it would be
well for us when we were quite tired of our sojourn ashore to ourselves
keep a look-out for the appearance of the ship. So on the occasion of
Don Manuel's accident, finding Smellie unwilling--as indeed he was still
unable--to take a long walk, I determined, as I have already said, to
make a