on account
of his wounds, could only just manage to keep up with us; and the latter
was required to remain, that he might render him assistance should it
become necessary.

Evening was approaching, and I began to feel that I should be unable
much longer to continue this sort of work, and wished more earnestly
than ever that I were once more safe on the raft. I suspect that Uncle
Paul felt much as I did, though with that courage which distinguished
him he made no complaint, but continued striking out as if it were his
usual mode of progression. Not unfrequently thoughts as to what might
have been the fate of those I loved more than any others on earth would
occur to me, especially when I felt exhausted by my exertions; but I
endeavoured to banish them from my mind, and answered Uncle Paul's
inquiries with as hearty an "All right" as I could utter.

The day wore on. In some of the bends of the river dark shadows had
already begun to fall on the water and to mount up the trunks of the
trees. The channel, or igarape, as such passages are called in some
parts of the country, became narrower than ever. No current was
perceptible: the lilies and other beautiful water-plants, little
bladderworts, and bright blue flowers with curious leaves and swollen
stalks, floated unmoved on the surface, with occasionally large circular
leaves and flowers of a gigantic size, which were new to all of us when
we first entered this region.

Tim and Sambo had long ago got out of sight, and we hoped that ere this
they had reached our friends. As we entered another bend of the
channel, I caught sight of some figures in the far distance standing on
one of those gigantic trunks I have so often mentioned. My first idea
was that they were Indians, perhaps waiting to cut us off: and I asked
Uncle Paul if he could see them.

"Yes, yes; I am thankful to say I do," he answered. "They are your
father and Arthur and dear Marian; but why they are not on the raft I
cannot tell."

The sight encouraged us, and, our strength restored, we struck out with
renewed vigour. It was now literally a race among us all who should get
there first. Uncle Paul beat me; and when I was still some distance
off: I saw him scrambling up and shaking hands with all the party. Even
Maco and Polo passed me, and I saw them make their way up the trunk of a
tree which had fallen across the one on which the rest of the party were
seated. As they reached the upper part,