the country was broken and mountainous; the hills being, in
all cases, thickly covered with trees. From two points, in the
heart of these hills, white smoke curled up, as soon as the smoke
of their fire died away. These, too, in a short time also ceased to
rise; and the boys knew that they were signal fires, in response to
that which their guide had made. The boy hesitated, for a minute or
two, as to the direction which he should take.

As, however, one of the fires appeared a good deal nearer than the
other, this probably decided him in its favor; and he started, in a
straight line, towards the spot where the smoke had curled up.
Another two hours' walking, and they entered an open glade; where
ten or twelve natives, and two or three negroes were gathered. They
were greatly surprised at seeing two white men, but the presence of
the native guide apparently vouched for these visitors; and
although one or two of the men sprang up and, at a rapid pace,
proceeded in the direction from which the newcomers had arrived,
the rest simply rose to their feet and, grasping the spears, bows
and arrows, and clubs which they carried, waited silently to hear
what the Indian boy had to tell them.

He poured forth an animated strain of words, for a few minutes, and
the faces of the Indians lit up with pleasure. The one among them
who appeared to be the chief of the party advanced at once to the
boys, and made every sign of welcome. One of the negroes also
approached, and in broken Spanish asked them if they could speak in
that language.

The boys were able, now, to reply in the affirmative; and quickly
supplemented the account of them, which had been given by their
guide, by their own description of the manner of their coming
there. The negro, after explaining to the rest what the boys had
said, then assured them, in the name of the chief, that every
welcome was theirs; and that they hailed among them, as a happy
incident, the arrival of two of the famous race who were the deadly
enemies of the Spaniards.

The boys, on their part, assured them that they would endeavor to
repay the hospitality with which they were received by their
assistance, should the Spaniards make any attacks upon the tribe
during the time they were there; that the English, everywhere, were
the friends of those who were oppressed by the Spaniards; and that
their countrymen were moved, with horror and indignation, at the
accounts which had reached them of the di