able to reach the rifle which he
held out towards me. True sprang forward, and was in an instant by my
side. Duppo followed more carefully, and at length we were all three
upon the island.

"We shall soon find our way to you," I cried out to Arthur.

"Oh, thank you, thank you!" he answered.

It was no easy matter, however, to make our way among the tangled mass
of trunks and roots and boughs without slipping down into the crevices
which yawned at our feet. I could judge pretty well by his voice where
Arthur was. Duppo pulled at my arm. He wished that I would let him go
first. This I was glad to do, as I had great confidence in his judgment
and activity. Following close behind him, we at length got directly
under where Arthur was perched.

"Here we are," I cried out, "on a firm trunk. Could you not manage to
come down?"

"I am afraid not," he answered.

"Stay, then; I will climb up and assist you," I said.

Putting my gun down, I made my way up the branch. Most thankful I was
again to press his hand.

"I am somewhat sick and hungry," he said; "but now you have come, I
shall soon be all right."

"Well, let me help you down first," I replied. "We have brought some
food, and when you have eaten it we will talk more about what has
happened to us. I hope we shall manage somehow or other to reach the
shore before this island is carried out to sea."

"Oh yes, I hope so indeed," he said. "I have never thought that
likely."

I now set to work to help Arthur down. Duppo stood under the branch and
assisted me in placing him at length in a more secure position.

"Oh, I am so thankful you have come!" he kept repeating; "my only
anxiety was about you. Still I hoped, as I had so wonderfully escaped,
that you might also be safe. All I know is, that I was in the water,
and then that I found myself clinging to a bough, and that I gradually
pulled myself up out of the water. I believe I fainted, for I found
myself lying among a mass of boughs; and when I managed at last to sit
up, I discovered that I was floating down the river. Not for some time
did I feel any sense of hunger. At length, when I did so, I found,
greatly to my satisfaction, that I had my wallet over my shoulders, well
stored with provisions. They were, to be sure, wet through; but I ate
enough to satisfy the cravings of hunger. In the morning I looked about
me, hoping to see you on one of the masses of trees which were floating
down the s