savages, who now,
in overwhelming numbers, came rushing into the midst of our little
village. On finding that we had escaped, they hurried down to the
beach, uttering loud shrieks and cries, and ordering us to return; while
some, drawing their bows, shot their arrows towards us. This, of
course, increased our anxiety to escape from them; so the oars were got
out and we pulled lustily away, till a light breeze getting up, we
hoisted our sail, and the _Good Hope_ began to glide rapidly across the
smooth waters of the lake.

On looking back we saw the natives shooting their arrows towards us, and
frantically waving their spears; while behind them rose a volume of
smoke above the bright flames which were consuming our little village.
I could not help fearing that they had vented their rage on the poor
tapir, which could scarcely have had time to regain the shore before
they reached it. Our huts, too, must have been completely consumed; but
as we stood across the lake a point of land shut out for ever our little
settlement from our eyes.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

OUR PETS--THE GALE--THE SKIPPER'S VEXATION--ALARMING INTELLIGENCE--THE
CHASE--OUR PURSUERS ON SHORE--WE REACH STABROEK--WELCOME INTELLIGENCE--
OUR RETURN TO TRINIDAD--MY FATHER'S DEATH--CONCLUSION.

We glided slowly across the lake during the night, and at early dawn
came in sight of the entrance of a broad passage, which our good captain
believed would lead us through a chain of lakes into the river by which
we had come. The wind favoured us, and either the captain or his mate
were continually sounding with long poles, to avoid the risk of running
on any hidden sandbank which might lie in our course.

The appearance of the banks was greatly changed: long grass and shrubs
grew on spots before concealed by water; small islands covered with
vegetation were seen where we had supposed no land existed. Navigation,
therefore, was extremely difficult, and the greatest caution was
necessary to escape running on shore. Still, the depth of water was
considerable, so that we had no fear of being stopped by impassable
sandbanks or shoals. In several places which had before been overspread
by the water we saw native huts, with the inhabitants--who gazed at us
with astonishment as we passed--collected round them. Some followed us
in canoes, but ignorant that we were not possessed of firearms, they
kept at a distance. Occasionally a few Indians came off to trade,
bring