sed
our spirits. Domingos, however, advised as not to remain on the spot,
lest the natives might discover us. Having made another search round,
we accordingly took our way back to the canoe.

Shoving off, we went down the stream into the main river. As we paddled
slowly along the shore, we examined it carefully, still in hopes of
finding some signals which might direct us. We had gone on for some
short distance, when Arthur, looking up at the hill, exclaimed, "See!
who can those be?"

There we saw several figures with bows in their hands and high feathery
plumes on their heads.

"They must be the _Majeronas_," exclaimed John. "We have indeed only
just retreated in time."

"Oh, perhaps they will follow us!" cried Ellen.

"I do not think we need fear that," said Arthur, "as we have seen no
canoes."

The Indians appeared only just to have discovered us. We saw them
gesticulating to each other; and then they hurried down towards the
river. We at once turned the canoe's head away from the bank, and
paddled out into the centre of the stream, where we should be beyond the
reach of their arrows.

By working away with our paddles we soon ran out of sight of them.

Having rested for some minutes to recover from our exertions, we
continued on down the stream. As the day was drawing on, it was
necessary to look out for an island on which to encamp, as we had
received so strong a warning not to land on the main shore. We kept a
bright look-out, but no signs of an island could we see. The wind,
which had hitherto been light, now increased to a gentle breeze; and as
it was in our favour, we hoisted our sail and stood on, glad to be
relieved from the labour of paddling. Thus we continued our progress,
hoping to get before night to a distance from our savage enemies.

The night came on, but there was still sufficient light to enable us to
steer down the centre of the river. John proposed that we should form
two watches; he and Arthur in one, Domingos and I in the other. This,
of course, was agreed to. After some difficulty, we persuaded Ellen and
Maria to lie down on the hammocks which were spread in the middle of the
canoe under the awning. John and Arthur took the first watch; Domingos
coiling himself away in the stern of the canoe, and I in the bows; to be
ready for service should we be required.

Tired as I was, it was some time before I could manage to go to sleep.
I lay looking up at the dark sky--out o