led energy we paddled on, the
breeze, though light, being in our favour. And now in a short time we
came in sight of the expected group of bamboos. We quickly rounded it;
and there, before us, appeared the hill. We looked out for the huts on
its summit, but none were visible.

"Oh! perhaps papa thought it better to build them lower down, under the
shade of that group of palms," said Ellen; and we agreed that she was
probably right.

A small stream ran at the bottom of the hill, connected, probably, with
one of the larger rivers we had passed. We paddled up it a short
distance, hoping to find a convenient place for landing. Our hearts
misgave us on finding no one come down to welcome us on shore.

"They probably do not observe us coming," observed Ellen. "Mamma and
Fanny are in the house, and papa and the servants are out shooting."

I saw by the cheerful way she spoke she felt none of the apprehensions
which John and I were experiencing. We soon found a clear spot, where
the waters in the rainy season had carried away the trees and shrubs.
Securing our canoe, we eagerly stepped on shore. The bank was somewhat
steep; but we managed to climb up it, and, cutting our way through the
intervening jungle, reached the foot of the hill. Even now I began to
doubt whether, after all, this could be the spot our father spoke of.
Not the slightest sound was heard, and there was no appearance of human
habitations being near. True, as soon as we had got into the more open
ground, went scampering along in high glee at finding himself on shore.
John led the way, anxiously looking about on very side. We soon reached
the top of the hill, gazing eagerly down towards the group of palm-trees
Ellen had espied. No huts were to be seen.

"They cannot have been here!" exclaimed Ellen.

Just then John gave a start, and immediately hurried forward. We all
followed. Before us we saw several posts standing upright, but they
were blackened and charred, while several others lay scattered about.
The grass around was burned, and the ground covered with ashes. It was
too evident that a hut had stood there, which had been destroyed by
fire; but whether it had been inhabited by our family or not, we in vain
endeavoured to discover. No traces of them could we find. We looked at
each other with anxious eyes. Ellen burst into tears, fully believing
that something dreadful had happened. We wished to reassure her, but
our own fears made