lves passing through a narrow passage between
thick bushes, which reminded us of the approach to the recluse's hut.
Emerging from it, we saw light ahead, and now reached the steps which
led to the verandah.

"You have come on well," he observed. "I will carry up your young
friend. Leave the litter on the ground."

I had to stop and assist up True, for although he made several attempts
to mount the ladder by himself, it was somewhat too high for him to
succeed. On entering the hut I found Ellen, in a state of agitation,
leaning over Arthur.

"Oh! what has happened?" she asked. "Will he die? Will he die?"

"I trust not, young lady," remarked our host. "He wants rest and
careful nursing, and I hope in a few days will have recovered. I will
now attend to him, and afterwards leave him under your care."

"Do not be alarmed, Miss Ellen," whispered Arthur. "I only fainted from
the hot sun and anxiety about you all. Now I am with you, I shall soon
get well."

"As I have by me a store of medicines, with which I have doctored
occasionally the poor natives, I can find, I hope, some remedies which
may help to restore your friend," observed the recluse. "Rest is what
he chiefly now requires."

Arthur was put into his hammock, and after he had taken a mess which
Maria had prepared, fell asleep.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

THE RECLUSE--MORE ADVENTURES IN THE FOREST.

Three days passed away, and Arthur had almost recovered. We none of us
had liked to ask the recluse any questions about himself, and he had
given us no information as to who he was, where he had come from, or how
long he had lived in that secluded spot. He had merely told us that he
was English, and he certainly seemed from his conversation to be a man
of education. He made no inquiries about us, though he listened from
politeness, apparently, rather than from any interest he took in the
matter, to the account we gave him of our adventures. One thing was
very evident, that, though he bore with our society, he would rather be
left alone to his usual solitude.

I awoke early the following morning, and found John already on foot. He
proposed going down to the igarape to bathe, and asked me to accompany
him. Our host, we found, had already left the hut. Arthur was asleep,
so we would not disturb him. Domingos also had gone out, and we
concluded had accompanied the recluse to obtain provisions, as he had
taken with him a couple of baskets which usually