Our Indian friends, although their people are generally so
undemonstrative, endeavoured by every means in their power to show their
gratitude to us for the service we had rendered them. When we offered
to pay for the canoe, which we were anxious to retain, Maono entreated
us to accept it, intimating that he would settle with the owner. We
were very glad to obtain the little craft; for, though too small for our
voyage down the Amazon, it would enable us to carry out our project of
searching the neighbouring shores for our parents. Though we had not
preserved their village from destruction, we had certainly saved the
lives of their women and children, and did not therefore hesitate about
accepting the canoe as a gift.
The chiefs sat up the greater part of the night, holding a council.
Next morning it was evident that they had arrived at some important
determination. The inhabitants were busy collecting their scattered
goods, and doing them up in portable packages. When we explained to
them that we were anxious to set off immediately for our own camp, they
intimated that they purposed accompanying us. As this, however, would
have delayed us greatly, we got Duppo to explain that we would gladly
meet them again at any spot they might appoint, but that we would go
down by the igarape in the canoe.
A hurried meal having been taken, we prepared to embark. Meantime the
men were employed in loading the women and children with their goods.
We thought that they were reserving some of the heavier loads for
themselves; but this, we soon found, was not the case, as they were
placed on the backs of the stronger women. Even our hostess--the
chief's wife--had to shoulder a load; and we felt very indignant when we
saw that Oria had to carry one also.
"I say, Harry, don't you think we ought to save her from that?"
exclaimed Arthur. "I am sure I would gladly carry it for her."
"You would somewhat astonish her if you made the offer," observed John;
"and I suspect you would fall in the estimation of our warrior friends.
Their creed is different from ours. They consider it derogatory to
manhood to carry a load or to do more work than they can help. However,
as Ellen would perhaps like to have Oria with her, we might induce her
parents to let her accompany Duppo. We cannot do without him, at all
events."
We tried to explain our proposal to Duppo, and after some time he
comprehended us. Oria, however, seemed very unwilling to accept the
offer, as she clung to her mother, and turned away her head from us.
Duppo at length came back, and we all got into the canoe. Our friends
insisted on our taking as many articles of food as we could possibly
carry--dried fish and meat, bananas and farinha, as well as fruit and
vegetables. True as usual took his seat in the bows. We were just
shoving off, when Maono and his wife came down to us leading Oria. The
chief addressed us and his son, but what he said we could not of course
understand. However we agreed that it was all right, and Duppo seemed
highly pleased when his sister stepped into the canoe and took her seat
in front of him.
Bidding our friends adieu, we now began carefully to paddle down the
igarape. We were some time in sight of the village, the whole
inhabitants of which we saw moving off, the men stalking first, with
their bows and spears in their hands and their blow-pipes at their
backs, and the women following, bending under the weight of the loads
they carried. Even the children, except the smallest, who sat on their
mother's backs or were led by the hand, carried packages.
"I am very glad we have saved the poor girl a heavy trudge through the
forest," observed Arthur; "but I cannot say much for the chivalry of
these people. I was inclined to think favourably of the warriors when I
saw them going forth so bravely to battle, but the example they have
given us of the way they treat their women lowers them sadly in my
estimation."
"Very true, Arthur," remarked John. "It is a sure sign that a people
have fallen into a degraded and uncivilised condition when women do not
hold an honourable position among them. But there are some savages who
treat their females even worse than these do. From what I have seen,
they appear in many respects kind and gentle to them. The Australian
savage--who is, however, the lowest in the scale of civilisation--when
he wants a wife, watches till he finds a damsel to his taste, and then
knocks her down with his club, a sign to her that she is henceforth to
be a submissive and dutiful wife. I am sure our friends here would not
be guilty of such an act."
"No; I hope not indeed," exclaimed Arthur. "Dreadful to think that Oria
should have to submit to such treatment."
We had, as may be supposed, to paddle carefully to prevent running
against a bough or sunken trunk, as the least touch might have upset our
frail craft. Though we might easily have scrambled out, yet we should
have run the risk of losing our guns and wetting our ammunition; besides
which, an alligator might have been lurking near, and seized one of us
in its jaws before we could escape to land. These considerations made
us very careful in our navigation. After some time, we began to feel
sadly cramped from being unable to move. Oria sat quiet and silent,
close to her brother, somewhat surprised, I dare say, at finding herself
carried away by the three white strangers. John told us to keep our
tongues steady in the middle of our mouths, lest we should make the
canoe heel over; and, indeed, if we leant ever so slightly on one side
the water began to ripple over the gunwale. Duppo steered very
carefully; and I, having the bow paddle, kept a very bright look-out
ahead for any danger which might appear under water. I could not help
thinking of the big cow-fish we had seen, and dreading lest one of them
coming up the igarape might give the canoe an unintentional shove with
his snout, which would most inevitably have upset her.
Thus we went on. The lagoon was passed, and again we entered the
channel with the thick trees arching overhead. How cool and pleasant
was the shade after the heat of the sun to which we had been exposed in
the more open parts! As we approached the camp our anxiety to ascertain
that all was well increased. The nearer we got the more I longed to see
the smiling face of our dear little sister, and I thought of the
pleasure she would have when we introduced Oria to her. At length we
could see in the far distance the landing-place near the camp. In our
eagerness we forgot our caution, and very nearly sent the canoe under
water. "Be more careful, boys," cried John, though he was paddling as
hard as either of us. As we drew near I looked out for the raft at the
spot we had left her moored, but could not see her. An uncomfortable
misgiving came over me, yet I could not bear to think that any accident
had happened. I said nothing, and on we went.
"Why, where is the raft?" exclaimed John.
"Oh, perhaps Domingos has drawn her up on the bank," observed Arthur.
"That is more than he would have strength to do," said John. "Besides,
I can see the bank, and the raft is not there."
As we drew near we raised a shout to attract Domingos, True joining us
with one of his cheerful barks. No one answered.
"Domingos has probably gone out shooting," observed Arthur. "We shall
see your sister and Maria running down directly."
We looked eagerly towards the camp, but neither Ellen nor Maria
appeared. We at length clambered out of the canoe up the bank, leaving
Duppo to help out his sister, and on we ran, breathless with anxiety, to
ascertain what had happened. The huts stood as we had left them, but
the occupants were not there. We looked about. The goods had been
carried off. Had the Indians been there--or had Ellen and her
attendants fled? These were the fearful questions we asked ourselves.
If the Indians had come, where had they carried our sister, and what had
they done with her? We searched around in every direction. No signs of
violence were to be discovered. Yet, unless the Indians had come, why
should they have fled. The savage Majeronas would certainly have burned
down the huts. True was running about as surprised as we were to find
no one there. Now he ran into Ellen's hut, then searched about in the
surrounding wood, and came back to us, as if he could not make up his
mind what had happened. Duppo and Oria now arrived, having waited at
the bank to secure the canoe. We tried to make Duppo understand that we
wanted to know his opinion. Though very intelligent for an Indian, we
could seldom judge his thoughts by the expression of his countenance.
At last he comprehended us, but made no reply. After waiting an
instant, he went into Ellen's hut, and then, as True had done, examined
the surrounding thickets. At last he came back and had a talk with
Oria. They seemed to have arrived at some conclusion. We watched them
anxiously. Then we asked Duppo if the Majeronas had been there. He
shook his head, and then, taking my hand, led me back to the water,
narrowly examining the ground as he went. On reaching the igarape he
pointed down towards the great river. I understood him.
"John! Arthur!" I shouted out, "they have gone that way on the raft.
I am sure of it from Duppo's signs. Perhaps they have not got to any
great distance, and we may overtake them."
"Stay," said John; "perhaps they are hiding somewhere near. We will
shout out, and they may hear us."
"There is no use in doing that," I remarked. "Had the raft still been
here I might have thought so, but it is evident that they have gone away
on it. It would easily carry them and all our goods, and for some
reason or other Domingos has persuaded them to escape on it, hoping that
we should follow."
"Would not Ellen have left a note for us, or some sign, to show us where
they have gone to," observed John in a desponding tone. "That she has
not done so puzzles me more than anything else."
To satisfy John, we all shouted at the top of our voices again and
again; but no reply came. We were going to get into the canoe, when
Duppo showed us that we might prepare it with a little contrivance for
encountering the rougher water of the river. Some sipos were near.
These he cut down, and with Oria's assistance bound into two long
bundles, which he neatly secured to the gunwale of the canoe, completely
round her. By this means the sides were raised four or five inches, and
would thus, I saw, greatly assist to keep out the water, and at the same
time would enable her to float, even should she be partly filled. Duppo
now beckoned to us to get into her. We took our seats as before, and
once more we paddled down the igarape. Duppo's contrivance completely
kept out the water, which would otherwise have broken on board; and we
had no longer any fear of driving the canoe as fast as we could through
it. We soon reached the open river.
"Which way shall we turn--up or down the stream?" I asked.
"Down, certainly," said John; "the raft could not have gone up it."
We accordingly made signs to Duppo to turn the canoe's head towards the
east. Before us appeared the island on which we so narrowly escaped
being wrecked during the hurricane. We steered down near the mainland,
examining narrowly the shores on either side. No raft could we see, nor
any one on the land. The water was smooth in the channel through which
we were passing, but when we got to the end of it, we found the surface
rippled over with waves, which, although small, threatened to be
dangerous to our deeply-laden little craft. I proposed that we should,
notwithstanding, endeavour to paddle up along the other side of the
island, in case Ellen and her companions might have landed on it. We
made signs to Duppo to steer in that direction; but he, instead of doing
so, pointed to a spot some way down the river, signifying to as that he
wished to land there. We concluded that it was the place where his
father had appointed to meet him. "Perhaps he sees the raft; it may
have drifted there," exclaimed Arthur. "At all events, I am sure it
will be better to do as he proposes."
We accordingly paddled on under Duppo's pilotage. Now that we were
exposed to the breeze blowing across the river, our heavily-laden canoe
could with difficulty contend with the waves, which, in spite of the
raised gunwale, every now and then broke into her. Had it not been for
the young Indian's thoughtful contrivance, we should inevitably have
been swamped. After going on for some distance, we reached the mouth of
another igarape. Just outside it, facing the river, was a small open
space, free of trees, with a fringe of rushes growing between it and the
water. With some little difficulty we forced the canoe through the
rushes, and we then, by scrambling up the bank, reached the spot I have
described. Duppo made signs to us that it was here he wished to remain
for the arrival of his father.
"We may as well do as he proposes then," said John, "and we will set off
and look for the raft. If we do not find it--which Heaven forbid!--we
will return and obtain the assistance of the Indians in making a more
extended search."
The spot was a very beautiful one, open entirely to the river in front,
while the trees behind, not growing so closely together as usual,
allowed the air to circulate--a very important consideration in that hot
climate. "It is just the place I should have chosen for an encampment
while we are searching for our father," said John. Arthur and I agreed
with him; but as we were eager to be off again, we had no time to talk
about the matter. Landing the greater part of the provisions, we
explained our intentions to our young friends. They understood us, but
seemed unwilling to be left behind. John also proposed that Arthur
should remain on shore. "I will do as you wish," he answered; "but I do
not like to be separated from you." While we were speaking, standing on
the bank, looking out over the river, he exclaimed, "See, see! what is
that speck out there towards the other side?" We eagerly looked in the
direction he pointed.
"I am afraid it is only the trunk of a tree, or a mass of grass floating
down," said John.
"Oh no, no! I am nearly sure there are people on it!" cried Arthur,
whose eyes, as we had found, were keener than ours.
"At all events, we will go towards it," cried John.
We hurried down and slipped into the canoe. "Yes; I know that you may
go faster without me," said Arthur. "You know what I should like to do;
but if it is better, I will remain on shore."
We thanked him for his self-denial, and I was about to propose leaving
True with him, when the dog settled the point by jumping in. John and I
shoved off, and paddled on with all our might. Now that we had fewer
people on board, we made much better way than before, and floated
buoyantly over the mimic seas which met us. We had marked the direction
of the object we had seen. From the water it was at first scarcely
visible. As we went on we again caught sight of it. How anxiously we
watched it! One moment I thought it must be the raft, the next I was
afraid it was but the trunk of a tree, or a flat island of grass. How I
longed for a spy-glass to settle the point, but unfortunately we
possessed none. For some minutes neither John nor I spoke.
"Harry!" he exclaimed, at length, "I see some one waving. Yes, yes; I
am sure it is the raft!"
I strained my eyes to the utmost. I too thought I saw people on the
object ahead of us. If people they were, they were sitting down though.
"Probably Domingos is afraid of standing up," said John. Then I
remarked this to him. "I am glad the wind is across the river instead
of up it, or it would be fearfully dangerous for them."
"Then you do think it is the raft?" I asked.
"I am sure of it," answered John.
We redoubled our efforts. Every instant the object grew clearer and
clearer. We could scarcely be deceived.
"Heaven be praised!" exclaimed John; "I see Ellen and Maria, one on each
side, and Domingos working away with his paddle at one end. They are
trying to come towards us."
I saw them too, and could even make out Nimble, and Toby, and Poll, and
Niger. My heart leaped with joy. In a few minutes more we were up to
the raft.
"We will not stop to ask questions," exclaimed John, as we got
alongside. "Here, Maria; hand me your painter, and we will secure it to
ours, and tow you back to the north bank. You must tell us what has
happened as we go along."
"Oh, but Arthur! why is Arthur not with you? Has anything happened to
him?" exclaimed Ellen.
"No; he is all right," answered John, pointing to the shore.
While he was speaking, we transferred our painter to the stern of the
canoe, and secured it as a tow-rope to the raft. We put the canoe's
head the way we wished to go, and paddled on. The wind was in our
favour; and Domingos, with Ellen and Maria, worked away with their
paddles also on the raft. We were exerting ourselves too much to speak.
Our dear sister was safe; but yet it was somewhat difficult to restrain
our curiosity to know what had occurred. The wind was increasing every
moment; and as we neared the shore we saw that there might be some
danger of the water washing over the raft should we attempt to land
under the bank. I proposed, therefore, that we should steer for the
igarape. It was no easy matter, however, to get there, as the current
was carrying us down. Domingos tried to urge the raft in the direction
we wished to go. The wind continued to increase, and the current swept
us further and further to the east. The seas rising, tossed the raft,
now on the one side, now on the other; and every moment I dreaded that
those on it might be thrown off or washed away. We entreated them to
hold on tightly. Even the canoe, though before the wind, was tossed
considerably. We could now distinguish our friends on shore watching us
anxiously as we approached. Already we had drifted down below them.
They were trying to make their way through the forest to follow us.
"We must drift down till we can see some place where we can get on shore
with a prospect of safety," observed John.
I agreed with him that it was our only alternative; yet I knew that
sometimes for miles together along the banks such a place might not be
found. We turned the head of the canoe, however, down the stream,
anxiously looking out for a fit spot to land. I dreaded, as I cast a
look over my shoulder at the sky, that such a hurricane as we had before
encountered was brewing; and if so, our prospect of being saved was
small indeed. I saw that Domingos also was casting a glance back at the
sky. We could see the tall trees on shore bending before the blast.
Every moment our position became more and more perilous. If landing in
the daylight was difficult, it would be still more so to get on shore in
the dark.
Down the mighty river we floated. The last rays of the sun came
horizontally over the waters, tinging the mimic waves with a bright
orange hue. Then gradually they assumed a dull, leaden tint, and the
topmost boughs of the more lofty trees alone caught the departing light.
Still no harbour of refuge appeared. I proposed running in, as the
last desperate resource, and scrambling on shore while we could still
see sufficiently to find our way.
"We shall lose our goods, and the canoe, and the raft, if we make the
attempt," answered John, "and perhaps our lives. We must still try to
find a safe place to land at."
We were yet at some distance from the shore, though, driven by the
fierce wind, we were rapidly approaching it. The storm increased. Dark
clouds were gathering overhead. A bright flash of lightning darted from
them, crackling and hissing as it went along the water: another, and
another followed. Suddenly, as if a thick mantle had been thrown over
us, it became dark, and we could scarcely have distinguished an opening
in the forest had one been before us. John was more unwilling than ever
to risk landing; and we therefore steered down the river, parallel with
the shore, so as to prevent the raft as long as possible from being
driven against it.
"Paddle on, Harry!" cried John, with his usual coolness; "we may yet
find a harbour of refuge."
We could judge pretty well, by the varying outline of the leafy wall
close to us, that we were making rapid way. The wind, too, had shifted
more to the west, and drove us therefore still before it. Arthur and
our Indian friends would, I knew, be in despair at not seeing us land;
while it was certain that they could not keep pace with the raft, as
they had to make their way through the tangled forest. Now that
darkness had come on, they would probably be compelled to stop
altogether.
The wind blew harder. The raft was tossed fearfully about. Another
rattling peal of thunder and more vivid flashes of lightning burst from
the clouds. Maria shrieked out with terror; while the two monkeys clung
to her, their teeth chattering--as alarmed as she was, Ellen afterwards
told me. Then again all was silent.
"I am afraid, Harry, we must make the attempt," said John at last. "But
the risk is a fearful one. We must tell Ellen, Domingos, and Maria to
be prepared.--Be ready, dear Ellen!" cried John. "Hold on tightly; and
when I call to you, spring towards me. We must manage by some means to
get on shore. Domingos will help Maria. Harry will try to secure the
guns and ammunition; our existence may depend upon them. The animals
must take care of themselves.--Domingos, are you ready?" he asked, in
Spanish.
"Si, si, Senor John. But look there, master; what is that light on
shore? It must come from some hut surely, where we may obtain shelter.
Let us try to reach the place. Even if there are savages there, they
will not refuse to help us."
As he spoke, we observed a bright light bursting forth from among the
trees, at a short distance off along the bank. Now it disappeared--now
it came again in sight. We paddled down towards it. It was apparently
a torch held in a person's hand. We rapidly approached the light, but
yet failed to discover any place where we could land with safety. We
shouted loudly, hoping to attract the attention of any one who might be
near. Presently a hail came off the land. We answered it. Again a
voice was heard.
"Can you tell us where we can land with safety?" cried John, in Spanish.
The answer was unintelligible. Presently he asked again in English; and
in a little time we saw the light moving along the bank. Then it
remained stationary. We exerted ourselves to the utmost to steer for
it; and we now saw a division in the wall of trees, which indicated that
there was a passage between them. Again the thunder reared, the
lightning flashed, and the wind blew with fearful force.