er. Unless, indeed, we
could secure the log to a tree, we should be drifted back several miles.
We might obtain food by climbing the trees, but we were not likely to
catch any fish while we remained close to them, and we should probably,
after all, have to put back in want of provisions. These arguments
prevailed with the skipper. The head of the log was got round, sail was
made, and we glided back at a much faster rate than we had come up
against the current.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

ARRIVAL AT GROVE ISLAND--SEARCH FOR PROVISIONS--CAPTURE OF THE SLOTH--
SMOKED SLOTH--DEPARTURE FROM GROVE ISLAND--A FEARFUL ATTACK--UP AN
IGARAPE--THE INDIAN ENCAMPMENT.

The sun was just setting when we reached the clump of trees where we had
left our friends, and lowering our mast, we paddled on to the
landing-place. As might be supposed, they were very much surprised at
seeing us return, and naturally fancied that some accident had happened.

"What is the matter?" asked Arthur, who hurried down to meet us.

"Nothing the matter, my friends, only a foul wind has driven us back
into port," answered the skipper, laughing. "Ya, ya! we shall sail
again soon with a fair breeze, and we mean to complete our voyage the
next time."

We found that everything had been going on quietly during our absence.
My father had gradually recovered his strength, and Marian felt much
better from being able to take a walk on the platform. A hut had been
constructed for her of palm-leaves, at Arthur's suggestion. Arthur,
Tim, and the black had been successful in their hunting expeditions.
They had, wisely, not ventured again into the macawery, but had caught
in various parts of the grove several parrots and other birds. They had
again seen the sloth; but, as they did not require the creature for
food, they allowed it to enjoy its existence. Its chance of life,
however, with the increased numbers in the settlement, was very small;
for Kallolo and Maco undertook to capture the poor animal before dawn,
if they could find it. They said they could do so at that time much
more easily than in daylight, when it would be awake, and could scramble
off much faster than they could follow. Kallolo observed, that with a
blowpipe he could send a small dart into the body of the animal which
would deprive it of life in the course of a few minutes; but having only
spears and arrows, the business of catching it would take them a much
longer time. The danger of shooti