re," I remarked. "Probably the island is infested with jaguars, and
we should have run a great chance of being picked off by them."

"I doubt if more than one or two would find support there," he remarked.
"How that one, indeed, came there is surprising."

"Possibly he was carried there on a floating island," I answered. "I
doubt whether intentionally he would have crossed from the mainland; for
though jaguars can swim, I suppose, like other animals, they do not
willingly take to the water." This, I suspect, was the case.

We tried to learn from Illora how her husband had been attacked. She
gave us to understand that, after looking about for us, they had put in
there for the night, and were still asleep when the savage brute had
sprung out of the thicket and seized Maono. She heard him cry out, and
had sprung to her feet and seized her lance just at the moment we had
found them.

"We should be doubly thankful that we were cast on the island and
arrived in time to rescue our friend," I observed to Arthur.

As may be supposed, however, we did not speak much, as we had to exert
ourselves to the utmost to impel the canoe through the water. I was,
however, thankful when at last we saw the roof of our hut in the
distance. We shouted as we approached, "Ellen! Maria!" Great was our
delight to see Ellen and Maria, with Domingos, come down to the edge of
the water to receive us. As I jumped out, my affectionate little sister
threw her arms round my neck and burst into tears.

"Oh, we have been so anxious about you!" she exclaimed; "but you have
come at last. And what has happened to the poor Indian? Have you been
attacked again by the Majeronas?"

I told her briefly what had occurred, and set her anxiety at rest with
regard to our parents by giving her Fanny's note, and telling her how we
had found it. I need not repeat her expressions of joy and
thankfulness. I then asked for John, as he understood more about
doctoring than any of us. He had gone away with his gun to shoot only
just before, and might not be back for some time. The Indians were at
their own settlement, a couple of miles off.

"What can we do with him!" I exclaimed.

"Why not take him to the recluse?" said Ellen. "He will know how to
treat him."

I made Illora comprehend what Ellen proposed. She signified that that
was what she herself wished to do.

"Then, Ellen, we must leave you again," I said. "We must do our best to
save the l