joining us
with one of his cheerful barks. No one answered.

"Domingos has probably gone out shooting," observed Arthur. "We shall
see your sister and Maria running down directly."

We looked eagerly towards the camp, but neither Ellen nor Maria
appeared. We at length clambered out of the canoe up the bank, leaving
Duppo to help out his sister, and on we ran, breathless with anxiety, to
ascertain what had happened. The huts stood as we had left them, but
the occupants were not there. We looked about. The goods had been
carried off. Had the Indians been there--or had Ellen and her
attendants fled? These were the fearful questions we asked ourselves.
If the Indians had come, where had they carried our sister, and what had
they done with her? We searched around in every direction. No signs of
violence were to be discovered. Yet, unless the Indians had come, why
should they have fled. The savage Majeronas would certainly have burned
down the huts. True was running about as surprised as we were to find
no one there. Now he ran into Ellen's hut, then searched about in the
surrounding wood, and came back to us, as if he could not make up his
mind what had happened. Duppo and Oria now arrived, having waited at
the bank to secure the canoe. We tried to make Duppo understand that we
wanted to know his opinion. Though very intelligent for an Indian, we
could seldom judge his thoughts by the expression of his countenance.
At last he comprehended us, but made no reply. After waiting an
instant, he went into Ellen's hut, and then, as True had done, examined
the surrounding thickets. At last he came back and had a talk with
Oria. They seemed to have arrived at some conclusion. We watched them
anxiously. Then we asked Duppo if the Majeronas had been there. He
shook his head, and then, taking my hand, led me back to the water,
narrowly examining the ground as he went. On reaching the igarape he
pointed down towards the great river. I understood him.

"John! Arthur!" I shouted out, "they have gone that way on the raft.
I am sure of it from Duppo's signs. Perhaps they have not got to any
great distance, and we may overtake them."

"Stay," said John; "perhaps they are hiding somewhere near. We will
shout out, and they may hear us."

"There is no use in doing that," I remarked. "Had the raft still been
here I might have thought so, but it is evident that they have gone away
on it. It would easily carry t