. We have had but a tame life of it. I thought we might have
seen some of the fun going forward at Santarem; but the whites had all
escaped out of the place before we passed by, and the red-skins had
possession of it."

"I rather think we were fortunate in escaping those same red-skins!"
exclaimed Houlston. "They murdered all the whites they could find, and
they would probably have treated us in the same way if we had fallen in
with them. If those fellows had attacked us, depend upon it we should
have had to fight hard for our lives."

"Perhaps, my friend, we can find some better means of keeping the enemy
at bay than those you are taking," observed the recluse. "However,
follow your own plan. I trust, for the sake of humanity that it may be
labour lost."

I did not hear John's reply, but he continued the work. Scouts were
sent out at night to watch the entrance of the channel, lest the rebels
might attempt to steal upon us during the hours of darkness; while we
all slept with our arms ready for instant use.

I was awakened by hearing a shot fired. Another followed. "The rebels
are coming!" I heard my father shouting out. "To your posts, my
friends!"

In less than a minute our whole party had assembled, and with my father
at our head, we advanced in the direction whence the shots had
proceeded. Before we had gone many paces, our two scouts came running
up with the announcement that several canoes were approaching the mouth
of the igarape. Daylight was just then breaking, though it had not
penetrated into the forest. The two Indians were again sent back to
watch the further movements of the rebels. We meantime held a council
of war, and having conveyed all our stores and provisions within the
stockade, retired to it, there to await the enemy. In a short time the
scouts came back, reporting that the Indians had landed, and were
advancing through the forest.

"Let me now try, my friends, what I can do with these people," said the
recluse, standing up in our midst. "I resided among them for some time.
They know me, and I trust will be more ready to listen to my arguments
than to those with which you are prepared to receive them."

"Pray do as you judge best," said my father.

Senhor Pimento appeared to have little confidence in his success, and
addressing his people, entreated them to fight bravely, as the rebels
would certainly give them no quarter.

The recluse, without further delay, taking no