that,
indeed, was almost a hopeless one.

"But suppose papa has been detained longer than he expected with Mr
Hilton, and returns to the settlement. If so, we may see him and reach
his canoe," said Maud. She always called my father papa.

This idea of Maud's gave me new hope, and then I thought how sad must be
our meeting when I should have to tell him of our mother's death.

Our chief want in our cavern was water; but Maud managed, by creeping
under the bushes, where she was sure she could not be seen, to reach a
pool filled by the never ceasing spray from the cascade. I entreated
her, however, not to go out often, for I was afraid of her foot
slipping, or, notwithstanding her assertion, that some native passing
over the mountain above us might catch a glimpse of her. She agreed,
therefore, to wait till just after dawn, when no one was likely to be at
so great a distance from any habitation. She went out one morning to
fill the gourd, which held our store of water, and when she came back
she told me that she had seen a person looking down towards her from a
point a long way up above the top of the waterfall.

"I did not stop to look a second time," she said, "but, crouching down,
crept back, in the hopes that he might not have discovered me."

This circumstance caused us great alarm; still we hoped that even had
any one seen her, he might not be able to discover the entrance to our
cavern.

"Perhaps the person I saw may have been Tofa, or the young Englishman,"
exclaimed Maud, as if the thought had suddenly struck her. "They would
naturally come to look for us, especially should they know that any of
our friends had been discovered by the heathens, and they might assist
us greatly."

"I trust that our friends have escaped," I said. "Though it seems
strange that they should be so long in returning to us, and as Tofa and
the young Englishman are strangers, I would rather trust myself to those
whose fidelity has been well tried."

"Oh, but I am sure that the Englishman would defend us with his life,"
said Maud. "I was struck by the good expression of his countenance, and
the way he behaved during the few moments we saw him. I do trust that
he has escaped, and I long to know who he is, for I am sure that he is
not a common sailor."

In this I agreed with Maud: indeed, had I not known that it is imprudent
to trust strangers, I should have been _very_ thankful to obtain his
assistance. Although he might