Next morning Maono and his people began erecting a more substantial
habitation for us, signifying that his white friend, meaning the
recluse, had desired him to do so. It was built on the spot we had
previously selected near the igarape, and overlooking the main river. A
number of stout poles were first driven into the ground, and to their
tops others were joined and united in the centre, forming a conical
roof, the eaves projecting below to a considerable distance.
Palm-leaves were then fastened, much in the fashion I have before
described, over the roof, layer above layer, till a considerable
thickness was attained. The walls were formed by interweaving sipos
between the uprights, a space being left for ventilation. We had thus a
substantial hut erected, which it would have taken us, unaided, many
days to build. While the Indians were working outside, John and I, with
Domingos, formed a partition in the interior, to serve as a room for
Ellen and Maria. "We must manufacture a table and some stools, and then
our abode will be complete," said John. Some small palms which grew
near were split with wedges into planks. Out of these we formed, with
the assistance of Domingos, a table, and as many rough stools as we
required.
When all was complete, Maono begged by signs to know whether we were
satisfied. We assured him that we were better accommodated than we
expected to be. He seemed highly pleased, and still more so when we
presented him and his men each with a piece of cloth, he having three
times as much as the others. We gave him also an axe, a knife, and
several other articles, besides a number of beads, which we let him
understand were for his wife and daughter. He, however, seemed rather
to scorn the idea of their being thus adorned in a way superior to
himself, it being, as we observed, the custom of most Amazonian tribes
for the men to wear more ornaments than the women. We understood that
his tribe had settled a short way off, in a secluded part of the forest,
where they might be less likely to be attacked by their enemies the
Majeronas.
We now tried to make Maono understand that we were anxious to have a
large canoe built, in which we might proceed down the river. He replied
that he would gladly help us, but that he must return to his own people,
as they had first to be settled in their new location. To this, of
course, we could not object, but we begged him to return as soon as
possible to assist us in our work. As soon as he was gone we agreed to
hold a consultation as to what we should next do. We took our seats
under the verandah in front of our new abode, John acting as president,
Ellen, Arthur, Domingos, and I ranging ourselves round him. True,
Nimble, and Toby stood by the side of Maria, as spectators, the latter
almost as much interested apparently as she was in the discussion, while
Poll and Niger stood perched on the eaves above us. The question was
whether we should devote all our energies to constructing a large canoe,
or make excursions in the small one we already possessed, as we before
proposed? We requested Ellen, not only as the lady, but the youngest of
the party, to speak first. She was decidedly of opinion that it would
be better to build the large canoe, as she was sure that our parents had
already proceeded further down the river.
"But what reasons have you for so thinking?" asked John.
Ellen was silent. "Pray do not insist upon my giving my reasons," she
said at last. "I can only say that I feel sure they have gone further
down. If they had not, I think we should have found them before this;
indeed, my heart tells me that we shall find them before long if we
continue our course down the river."
John smiled. "Those are indeed very lady-like reasons," he observed.
"However, we will record your opinion; and now wish we to know what
Arthur has to say."
"I should like to agree with Miss Ellen, but at the same time cannot
feel sure of a matter of which we have no evidence," said Arthur. "We
have not examined the banks up the stream or on the opposite side.
Although we have good reasons for supposing that, after quitting their
first location, your family proceeded downwards, as the labour of
paddling against the current is very great, yet, as they may have
stopped at some intermediate spot, I advise that we examine the banks on
both sides of the river between this place and that where we expected to
find them."
"Now, Harry, what do you say?" asked John.
"I agree with Arthur," I replied. "As we came down a considerable
distance at night, I say we should examine the shores we then passed.
As the greater part of our voyage was performed by daylight, I do not
think it at all likely we could have missed them had they been sailing
up to meet us. I also advise that we make the excursion we proposed in
the small canoe in the first place, while our Indian friends are
constructing the larger one."
Domingos had been standing with his arms folded, as was his custom,
watching our countenances. He had perfectly understood what was said.
Taking off his hat, he made a bow to Ellen, saying, "I agree with the
senora. I feel sure that my honoured master would desire to place his
family in safety at a distance from the savage tribe who attacked him,
and that, therefore, he has moved further down the river, probably to
one of the nearest Portuguese settlements on the banks. But knowing his
affection for you, his children, I believe he would have sent back
messengers to meet us should he have been unable to return himself. It
is they, in my opinion, we should look out for; probably, indeed, they
have already passed us. I am sorry that we did not leave some signals
at our stopping-places, which might show them where we have been, and
lead them to us. Then, again, as Senor Fiel might not have been able to
procure messengers at once, and as the voyage up the stream is
laborious, they may not have got as far as this. Thus we are right in
remaining at this spot, whence we can see them should they approach. I
therefore hold to the opinion that the large canoe should be constructed
without delay, in which we might continue our voyage, but that we should
keep a look-out both by day and night, lest our friends might pass by
without observing us."
"It becomes, then, my duty as president to give the casting vote in this
important matter," observed John, "as the members of the council are
divided in opinion. Although the opinion expressed by Ellen and
Domingos has probability on its side, yet it must be considered
theoretical; while that given by Arthur and Harry is undoubtedly of a
more practical character. Should we on exploring the shores higher up
find no traces of our relatives, we shall then proceed with more
confidence on our voyage, buoyed up with the hope of overtaking them.
In the other ease we might be sailing on with the depressing
consciousness that, not having searched for them thoroughly, we might be
leaving them behind. I therefore decide that, while our Indian friends
are engaged in building a canoe, in which work, from our inexperience,
we cannot render them any effectual aid, we employ the interval in
making the exploring expeditions we proposed. The point to be settled
is, how are we to carry out that plan?"
"The small canoe will not convey more than three people at the utmost,"
I observed. "I should like to go with Arthur and Duppo, as I at first
suggested; while you, John, stay to take care of Ellen, and superintend
the building of the canoe. You will be better able than any of us to
keep the Indians to their work, and guard Ellen, should any danger occur
from hostile Indians, or of any other description."
"I should certainly have liked to have gone myself," said John. "But
your argument is a strong one. I am sure I can trust you and Arthur,
and Duppo, from his acuteness, will be of great assistance to you; and
yet I do not like you to run the risk of the dangers to which you may be
exposed."
"It would not be worse for us than for you," remarked Arthur. "I would
willingly stay to defend Miss Ellen; but I am afraid I should not manage
the Indians, or act as you would do in an emergency."
I saw that John put considerable restraint on himself when he finally
agreed to let us go. Yet as we were as well able to manage the canoe as
he was, and much lighter, we were better suited to form its crew. At
the same time, it seemed evident that Ellen would be safer under the
protection of two grown-up men, than of lads like Arthur and I. It was
necessary, however, to wait to arrange provisions for our expedition,
and obtain also the advice of Maono on the subject. We much regretted
that we could not communicate with the recluse, as he would have
interpreted for us, and would also have given us his advice.
While taking a paddle in our canoe, we agreed that she required
considerable alterations to fit her for our intended expedition. Our
first task was to haul her up, and strengthen her bulwarks; for it will
be remembered that they were before put up in a hurried manner, and were
already almost torn off.
We were thus engaged in front of the hut when we heard Ellen exclaim,
"There is some one coming." And looking through an opening in the
forest, I saw Duppo and his sister approaching, carrying baskets on
their backs. Arthur and I ran forward to meet them. They made signs
that they had brought a present of farinha to the young white lady, as
they designated Ellen; not by words, however, but by putting a piece of
white bark on their own brown cheeks. We then conducted them to Ellen.
"I am so glad to see you," she said, taking Oria's hand; and though the
Indian girl could not understand the words, she clearly comprehended the
expression of my young sister's countenance, which beamed with pleasure.
Maria grinned from ear to ear, not at all jealous of the attention her
young mistress paid the pretty native; and all three were soon seated in
front of the hut, talking together in the universal language of signs.
It was extraordinary how well they seemed to understand each other.
Oria's garments were certainly somewhat scanty; but in a short time
Maria ran into the hut, and quickly returned with a petticoat and scarf,
part of Ellen's wardrobe. Nothing could exceed the delight of the young
savage (for so I may properly call her) when her white and black sisters
robed her in these garments. Pretty as was her countenance, it usually
wanted animation; but on this occasion it brightened up with pleasure.
The clothes seemed at once to put her more on an equality with her
companions. When they had talked for a time, Ellen called out her pets
to introduce them to Oria, who signified that if it would gratify her
new friend she would undertake to obtain many more.
"Oh, yes, yes!" exclaimed Ellen. "I should so like to have some of
those beautiful little humming-birds which have been flying about here
lately, feeding on the gay-coloured flowers growing on the open ground
around, or hanging by their long tendrils from the trees."
Neither Duppo nor Oria could understand these remarks, but they did the
signs which accompanied them; and they both answered that they hoped
soon to obtain for her what she wished.
We then took Duppo down to the canoe, and I tried to explain to him our
intention of making a voyage in her. This he understood very clearly;
indeed, the recluse had, we suspected, already intimated to the Indians
our anxiety about our missing friends. Duppo was of great assistance to
us in repairing the canoe and putting on fresh bulwarks. We determined,
in addition to the paddles, to have a mast and sail. We had some light
cotton among our goods, which would answer the purpose of the sail, and
could be more easily handled, and would therefore be less dangerous,
than a mat sail.
We found that Oria had taken the invitation as it was intended, and had
come to remain with Ellen.
"I am so glad," said our sister, when she discovered this. "I shall now
be able to teach her English; and, I am sure, we shall be great
friends."
"But would you not also be able to teach her about the God of the
English?" said Arthur, in a low voice. "That is of more consequence.
She now knows nothing of the God of mercy, love, and truth. From what I
can learn, these poor savages are fearfully ignorant."
"Oh yes," said Ellen, looking up. "I shall indeed be glad to do that.
I am so thankful to you, Arthur, for reminding me."
"We should remember that that Saviour who died for us died for them
also," said Arthur; "and it is our duty to make known that glorious
truth to them."
"It will be a hard task though, I fear," remarked Ellen, "as Oria does
not yet know a word of English; and though we may make signs to show her
what we want her to do, I do not see how we can speak of religion until
she understands our language."
"The more necessity then for teaching her without delay," observed
Arthur. "She seems very intelligent; and if we lose no opportunity of
instructing her, I hope she may soon acquire sufficient knowledge to
receive the more simple truths, which, after all, are the most
important."
"Then I will begin at once," said Ellen. "She has already been trying
to repeat words after me; and I hope before the end of the day to have
taught her some more."
Ellen was in earnest. Our dear little sister, though very quiet and
gentle, had a determined, energetic spirit. It was very interesting to
see her labouring patiently to teach the young Indian girl. Duppo had
already learned a good many words, and seemed to understand many things
we said to him. We scarcely ever had to repeat the name of a thing more
than two or three times for him to remember it; and he would run with
alacrity to fetch whatever we asked for.
We had much more trouble in teaching manners to our dumb companions; for
in spite of Master Nimble's general docility, he was constantly playing
some trick, or getting into scrapes of all sorts. One day he was seen
by Duppo trying to pull the feathers out of Niger's head; and on another
occasion he was discovered in an attempt to pluck poor Poll, in spite of
her determined efforts to escape from his paws. He often sorely tried
True's good-temper; while if a pot or pan was left uncovered, he was
sure to have his fingers in it, to examine whether its contents were to
his liking.
We were working at the canoe one morning when I heard Maria's voice
calling to us.
"See what it is she wants, Harry," said John, who was busily employed.