signified to me
that we should soon reach it. Just then I heard a shot, and a
magnificent macaw fell down a short distance ahead of us. True dashed
forward, and directly afterwards I heard John's voice. I hurried on.

"Yes, we are all well," answered John to my inquiries, as he took my
load of venison and slung it over his more sturdy shoulders. "The canoe
is finished, and we were only waiting for your return to set out. No
positive news about our parents; but the Indians describe having seen a
canoe with white people, women among them, pass down the river several
weeks ago Ellen feels sure it was they who were seen; though, as is
sometimes the case with her, dear girl, she can give no other reason
than her own feelings. I am disappointed at not seeing Arthur; but we
must put in to take him on board, and save him the journey through the
forest."

Of course John wanted to know all about our adventures, and I briefly
recounted them as we walked homewards.

"It is, indeed, a mercy that your life was saved," he observed. "I
would almost advise you not to tell Ellen all the fearful dangers you
went through; it will make her nervous, for she even now sometimes
dreads that the Majeronas will again attack us."

"They will certainly not come so far by water," I remarked; "and our
friends will give us warning should they venture by land. Still, as the
canoe is ready, we ought not to delay in commencing our voyage."

As soon as we emerged from the thick part of the forest, we caught sight
of Ellen watching for us in front of the hut. She came running forward,
followed by Maria and Oria, and not only by Nimble and Toby, but a whole
troop of other creatures. John laughed. "There comes our little
sister," he said, "with her happy family. She and her young companions
have not been idle. It is wonderful how they have contrived to tame all
those creatures."

In another minute Ellen and I were in each other's arms. She looked
very well, and glad to see me, but her eye roved about in quest of
Arthur. She was satisfied, however, when I told her that he had
remained behind to attend to the recluse.

"I am not surprised at it," she said; "for I could not help fancying
that there was some relationship between the two. Our strange friend
was evidently more interested in Arthur than in any of us. In spite of
his cold and repelling manner, Arthur, too, took greatly to him.
However, perhaps I am wrong."

"Yes; I suspect