A HAPPY MEETING.

A week had passed away. The two canoes keeping in company, we no longer
felt the solitude which had oppressed us as we navigated that vast
stream, or the intricate labyrinth of channels, often far away from the
main shore. Several times we had inquired of Antonio whether we were
approaching the farm of Senhor Pimento, where our family were living.
"Paciencia; logo, logo," was his answer--"Patience; soon, soon we shall
be there." We turned off from the main stream, and ascended an igarape
thickly shrouded by palms and other trees, completely shutting out the
sky above us. At the end of the vista the bright sunlight shone on an
open space, where appeared a small lake, on the opposite side of which
we could distinguish several buildings raised on piles--a large one in
the centre with a deep verandah, the palm-thatched roof of which
extended beyond the walls; the whole surrounded by plantations of
mandioca, cacao, peach-palms, and other trees.

"Is that where we are going?" asked Ellen eagerly of Antonio. "We shall
see--we shall see, senorita!" he answered. Rounding a point, we
observed a hut beneath a grove of inaja palms; their leaves springing
almost from the ground, and spreading slightly out from the slender
stem, so as to form an open vase of the most graceful shape. Few
objects of the vegetable kingdom are more beautiful. "Oh, what lovely
trees!" exclaimed Ellen. "And see! there is some one coming out from
among them."

As she spoke, a person emerged from the wood, engaged apparently in
reading. As his back was towards us, he did not observe the approach of
the canoes. "Oh, it is papa!" exclaimed Ellen; "I am sure of it." And
in another instant we were on shore, and Ellen flying over the ground.

It was indeed a happiness to see her in our father's arms. "And my boys
too, safe after all your dangers!" he exclaimed, as he embraced us.
"And your young friend too!"

Maria and Domingos came running up to kiss his hand, pleasure beaming in
their dark countenances. We hurried forward to the house, and in a few
minutes had the happiness of seeing our mother and Fanny. Even Aunt
Martha, I thought, looked far more kindly than she used to do, and was
as gentle and affectionate to Ellen as she could be. It was indeed a
happy meeting.

We, of course, had to recount all our adventures; and thus most of the
talking was on our side, as Antonio had already told us all that had
happened to t