er you had returned in, and that the third
person I saw was Senor John. He set off some time back to look for
you."

We briefly explained what had happened, and introduced the young Indian.
Having secured the raft, we hastened to our encampment. Ellen and
Maria came out to meet us.

"I am so glad you have come back," said Ellen, "for we were growing very
anxious about you. I hope John will soon return. I am surprised you
did not see him as you came down the igarape."

I explained to her how easily we might have passed each other. "I dare
say we shall see John in a few minutes. When he found night coming on,
he would certainly turn back," I added.

We now brought Duppo forward and introduced him, telling Ellen about his
sister Oria.

"Oh, I should so like to see her!" she exclaimed. "Do try and make him
understand that we hope he will bring her here."

Though modest and retiring in his manner, Duppo soon made himself at
home, and seemed well pleased at being in our society. Ellen was
delighted with the curious bird he had brought her, and Maria undertook
to tame it, as she had the parrot and Nimble. John had fortunately
killed a paca in the morning, and Maria had dressed part of it for
supper. We were, however, unwilling to begin our meal till his return.
We waited for some time, expecting him every instant to appear. We made
the fire blaze brightly as a signal, and Domingos and I went to a little
distance from the camp, first in one direction, then in another,
shouting at the top of our voices; but we in vain listened for his in
return. I then fired off my rifle, hoping that, had he lost his way,
that might show him the position of the camp. We stood breathless,
waiting to hear his rifle, but no sound reached our ears. We now became
very anxious, but were unwilling to go further from the camp, lest we
might be unable to find our way back. True, who had followed us, added
his voice to our shouts.

"Hark!" said Domingos; "I hear a sound."

We listened. It was a low, deep howl. It grew louder and louder.

"That is only one of those big monkeys beginning its night music," I
observed.

True, when he heard it, was darting forward, but I called him back,
afraid lest he should meet with a prowling jaguar or huge boa, which
might carry him off before we could go to his assistance. At length,
with sad forebodings, we returned to the camp. We did our best to
comfort Ellen, yet it was very difficult