Having satisfied ourselves that the snake was really killed,
we hastened back with Marian to the settlement, followed by Crass, which
came willingly after its mistress. She was so nervous, however, that
she could with difficulty walk. At every instant she started, as if
expecting to see another snake appear before her to dispute her passage.
Quacko, who knew very well that he had been misbehaving, made his way
back before us; and when we arrived we found him seated in front of the
hut, looking as sedate as a judge, evidently fancying that his conduct
had been unobserved.

We again charged Marian not to leave the camp by herself, warning her
that she might not only meet with another snake, but might fall in,
perhaps, with a prowling jaguar or puma, or an anaconda, such as had
attacked us on the lake.

"But I could not bear the thought of losing my dear Crass; and I had no
idea that I should have been led so far away," she answered, almost
crying, as if she had done something wrong.

"We are not blaming you, my dear Marian," said Uncle Paul, "but
cautioning you for your own benefit,--and ours, too, for we should be
miserable should any harm happen to you. People, when they begin to act
imprudently, never can tell where they may stop; and a very good lesson
may be imparted to others from your adventure and the fearful danger to
which you have been exposed. But do not suppose, my dear, that we blame
you, though you did give us all a great fright. We must appoint a
guard, not to watch you, but to protect you from danger."

"Oh, do not draw anyone off from the important work in which you are all
engaged, for my sake," exclaimed Marian. "I will be very prudent in
future, indeed, I will; and if any of my favourites run away, I will
immediately come to you, that, if you think fit, somebody may be sent to
bring them back."

Marian's resolution was sorely tried a few days afterwards. The Ara
parrot, the companion of our troubles, which had learned to speak, as
Tim averred, as well as a real Christian, and was so very affectionate
and domesticated, took it into its head, from some unknown cause, to fly
off before Marian's eyes. According to her promise, she did not follow
it, though she believed that it had perched on a tree not far off, but
hurried to where we were at work. When, however, Maco went to look for
it, the bird was nowhere to be seen. The whole day passed by, and
Marian began to give up all hopes of ever