, led my father to a distance. Meantime our mother, Fanny, and
Ellen, had come down.

I need not describe our meeting, or the concern Ellen exhibited at
hearing of Arthur's accident, and saw his still, pale face as we lifted
him out of the canoe. He was, however, able to walk with our
assistance. We found the whole party very anxious, as information had
reached them that the natives had discovered their retreat and intended
attacking them. They had therefore been hurrying on the large montaria
with all speed, in hopes of getting away before the arrival of the
enemy.

In a short time our father and Mr Mallet arrived. A wonderful change
had taken place in the countenance of the latter. He now looked bright
and cheerful, and a smile played over his features such as I had never
before seen them wear. After being introduced to my mother and sisters,
and Senhor Pimento's family, he hurried up to Arthur, and as he threw
his arms round his neck tears burst from his eyes, but they were
evidently tears of joy.

"But we must not lose time," said my father, pointing to the vessel, at
which Domingos and Antonio and the other men were still busily working.
We soon had occupation given us--ample to employ our minds as well as
our hands. Arthur was taken good care of by my mother and sisters, and
I was glad to see him play with Nimble and Toby, who at once knew him.
We worked away till dark. The fires were lighted, and by their bright
blaze we were still able to continue our labours. Thus we hoped in a
couple of days to have our craft ready for launching. It was decked
over astern and forward, so as to afford a cabin to the ladies and
shelter for our stores, which required protection from the weather. We
had large mat-sails and long oars, so that she was well fitted, we
hoped, to encounter the heavy seas we were likely to meet with towards
the mouth of the mighty river. John suggested that we should erect a
stockade near the vessel, behind which we might defend ourselves, and
prevent her from being burned, should the rebels make the threatened
attack. This we all set to work to do; and as we had an abundance of
materials at hand, a fort was soon erected, of sufficient strength, if
defended by firearms, to repel any attack the natives were likely to
make against it.

"I hope the fellows will come on!" exclaimed Tony, who, with Houlston,
was among the most active in the work. "I should like to be engaged in
a skirmish