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?"