through the mighty forest to be.

We went on, keeping close together, without speaking, lest by any chance
our voices might be heard by the Indians, whom we were anxious to avoid.
Our progress was slow, of course, as the best swimmers had to wait for
the rest. The time appeared to me to be very long; and I fancied that
we had been swimming for more than an hour, when in reality we had not
been half that time in the water. We could not, however, avoid every
now and then looking up to the huge fire of the Indians, which could be
discerned burning brightly in the distance; but instead of getting
nearer to it, as I expected that we should, it became less and less
distinct, and at last was to be seen almost behind us. I knew that we
were turning off in an opposite direction; still we were too near the
danger not to wish to get further from it. On our left I observed the
mouth of a channel which we had reached on a former night, and which
led, I have no doubt, close under the Indian encampment. Had we not
possessed Maco as a guide, we should very naturally have gone up it, and
thus found ourselves close to our supposed enemies.

I was already beginning to feel somewhat fatigued, and I was afraid that
Marian must be tired. I asked her how she felt.

"I should much like to get a short rest, if it is possible," she
answered; "but I can go on longer, though my arms and legs are beginning
to ache."

Just then Maco, who had been some way ahead, returned; and having spoken
a few words to Uncle Paul, he led us to the side of the stream, where we
found the buttress roots, as I have before described, of a large tree
projecting into the water. We all climbed on it; and Arthur and I
assisted Marian to a spot where she could rest with comparative comfort.
We sat down by her side, but prudence prevented us from speaking above
a whisper. We waited for some time, then Uncle Paul asked her if she
was ready to go on.

"Yes, yes!" she answered. "I already begin to feel more like a fish;
and I think, after a little experience I shall be as much at home in the
water as on dry ground."

This answer showed that she was in good spirits; and once more the whole
party slipped into the channel. We proceeded up it much in the same way
as before. Quacko and Ara would have objected to this sort of progress,
had they not been perched on the heads of those whom they knew to be
their friends. There they sat with perfect composure, supposing