po and his sister approaching, carrying baskets on
their backs. Arthur and I ran forward to meet them. They made signs
that they had brought a present of farinha to the young white lady, as
they designated Ellen; not by words, however, but by putting a piece of
white bark on their own brown cheeks. We then conducted them to Ellen.

"I am so glad to see you," she said, taking Oria's hand; and though the
Indian girl could not understand the words, she clearly comprehended the
expression of my young sister's countenance, which beamed with pleasure.
Maria grinned from ear to ear, not at all jealous of the attention her
young mistress paid the pretty native; and all three were soon seated in
front of the hut, talking together in the universal language of signs.
It was extraordinary how well they seemed to understand each other.
Oria's garments were certainly somewhat scanty; but in a short time
Maria ran into the hut, and quickly returned with a petticoat and scarf,
part of Ellen's wardrobe. Nothing could exceed the delight of the young
savage (for so I may properly call her) when her white and black sisters
robed her in these garments. Pretty as was her countenance, it usually
wanted animation; but on this occasion it brightened up with pleasure.
The clothes seemed at once to put her more on an equality with her
companions. When they had talked for a time, Ellen called out her pets
to introduce them to Oria, who signified that if it would gratify her
new friend she would undertake to obtain many more.

"Oh, yes, yes!" exclaimed Ellen. "I should so like to have some of
those beautiful little humming-birds which have been flying about here
lately, feeding on the gay-coloured flowers growing on the open ground
around, or hanging by their long tendrils from the trees."

Neither Duppo nor Oria could understand these remarks, but they did the
signs which accompanied them; and they both answered that they hoped
soon to obtain for her what she wished.

We then took Duppo down to the canoe, and I tried to explain to him our
intention of making a voyage in her. This he understood very clearly;
indeed, the recluse had, we suspected, already intimated to the Indians
our anxiety about our missing friends. Duppo was of great assistance to
us in repairing the canoe and putting on fresh bulwarks. We determined,
in addition to the paddles, to have a mast and sail. We had some light
cotton among our goods, which would answer the