or some time, and now felt able to keep on swimming
for many miles without stopping. We were in tolerable spirits, having
every reason to believe that we should see no more of the savages. We
hoped, too, that the next would be our last stage, and that at the end
of it we should find Marian, with my father and Arthur, safe on the
raft. Uncle Paul then proposed to construct an additional raft to carry
the whole party.

We had finished our meal, when Kallolo exclaimed, with an expression of
grief on his countenance, "Oh! where is Quacko? Cruel, indeed, have I
been to leave him behind; but my thoughts were so engaged with the
dangers which threatened us, that for the moment I forgot all about him.
I must go back and find the affectionate ape. Even though he may
obtain subsistence in the forest, he will pine and die when he finds
himself deserted by his friends."

"Stay, stay, my friend," said Uncle Paul. "Much as I esteem your regard
for the poor ape, and his extraordinary attachment to you, I would not
have you risk your safety by attempting to recover him. The lives of
all the party are of far more importance than that of the ape; and for
your own sake as well as ours I must prohibit your going."

Kallolo looked very unhappy on hearing this. "I shall run little or no
risk, Senor Paul," he answered; "and, besides, Maco and Polo are as able
to guide you as I am. I cannot bear the thought of losing my friend
through my own negligence."

Of course, it will be understood that I am merely translating what the
Indian said, or rather giving the meaning of his words.

Still, Uncle Paul was firm. "I cannot reconcile it to my conscience to
allow you to go; and I should be unable to forgive myself should any
accident happen to you," he answered.

I also felt very sorry that Quacko was lost; but the anxiety about our
own safety accounted fully for our having forgotten him.

"Sure, now, I have been after forgetting Ara!" exclaimed Tim. "I left
the poor bird on a branch fast asleep when those bastes of Indians sent
us off into the water in such a hurry, and never a bit did I think of
her till now. I am just as bad as you are, Kallolo; for, sure, hadn't I
charge of the bird, till she flew out of my thoughts altogether?"

"At all events, here she comes back to us again!" I exclaimed.

At that moment Ara was seen approaching with rapid flight; and in an
instant afterwards she perched on Tim's shoulder, and looking int