ed, after a further
attempt to find the brig, that we should look out for a tree with
widespreading branches, into which we could climb, and remain till
daylight.

"`But pray don't think of such a thing,' cried Tom; `we should have a
whole troop of monkeys down upon us, and be carried off in our sleep by
an army of anacondas.'

"I laughed at his fears, though I thought that we should very likely be
attacked by ants, such as had almost taken the brig from us. I never
like to be beaten in an object should it seem possible of attainment,
and so I persevered, and again we all shouted, but with the same want of
success as before. I thought that very possibly by this time we might
be two or three miles away from the brig, just as likely as near her,
for I confess I was extremely doubtful as to the direction we had taken.

"`Well, youngsters, I am afraid there is no help for it,' I remarked;
`if you do not like to sleep among the branches, we must run the risk of
turning our plums into jam. We will make the canoe fast to a tree, and
try to get some rest. One at a time, however, must keep watch, though I
don't think we run much risk of being attacked by human or savage foes.'

"I was looking out for a branch to which to make the painter fast, when
Tom declared that he saw a light far off between the tall trunks. By
moving a little on one side, I also caught sight of it, and at once
paddled away in that direction. It grew brighter as we advanced, and
appeared to be elevated some little distance above the water. I was
very certain that it could not proceed from the brig; it seemed, indeed,
to be produced by a fire, but how a fire could exist in such a place, it
was puzzling to say, unless it was on the bank of the river, or on an
island elevated some height above the surface of the water. At all
events, we were likely to meet with human beings, who, if natives, would
probably be able to pilot us back to the brig.

"I told the youngsters to keep silent, and paddled cautiously on. It
was necessary, indeed, to be very careful, for fear of capsizing the
canoe against a floating log or projecting branch, unseen in the
darkness. After going on for some distance, what was our surprise to
find directly ahead a large platform, secured to the trunks of several
lofty palms, elevated about six feet above the water. A fire was
burning in the centre, round which were seated a number of dark-skinned
natives, with scarcely a part