ood-will.

We bade him and Senhora Josefa and their two daughters farewell. Pedro
accompanied us down to the canoe.

"Do not fear," he said, "about us. I suspect we shall soon be following
you. But should nothing happen to us, forget not those who held you in
affectionate esteem."

I am, of course, only translating his words.

The canoes shoved off, and working our paddles, we glided across the
lake. It was nearly dark before we reached the entrance to the igarape
down which we were to proceed. It was a perfect calm. The tall trees
were reflected in the mirror-like expanse of the lake, sprinkled, as it
were, with the myriads of stars which shone forth from the clear sky.
Here and there a night-bird darted from its covert in search of its
insect prey. The tree-crickets had begun to utter their evening notes,
and from far and near came forth from the forest the numberless sounds
which often to the solitary traveller make the night hideous.

"Oh, what can that be?" we heard Ellen exclaim from the other canoe.
"See! see!"

We looked astern, towards the plantation we had left. Bright flames
were darting up from among the buildings very instant growing higher,
while dreadful cries, coming across the water, struck our ears.

"Oh, I am afraid our friends have delayed too long to escape," exclaimed
Arthur. "Could we not go back to help them?"

I asked our father if he would allow us to do so.

He hesitated. "They have their montarias; and should they have been
attacked, you can render them no assistance."

Still, I did not like the thought of deserting our friends, and
promised, should we not meet with them, to return at once. At last he
consented to our going; and turning the head of our canoe, we paddled
back towards the shore we had left. We had nearly reached it, when we
saw a boat approaching. It might have our friends on board, or might be
manned by natives. We approached cautiously, ready to turn round at a
moment's notice.

"Who goes there?" I asked.

I was greatly relieved by hearing Senhor Pimento's voice.

"Turn round!" he exclaimed. "Fly! fly! I fear we may soon be pursued.
We are all on board. I wish we had followed your advice."

Back we paddled, as fast as we could urge our canoe through the water.
Meantime the whole plantation appeared in a blaze--not only the
buildings, but the fields and groves of fruit-trees seemed to have been
set on fire. We made for the mouth of the igara