with
joy; my father was one of them, and Jose was his companion. Arthur and
I hurried towards them, and were soon welcoming my father. He looked
pale and ill, but expressed his thankfulness at having escaped; so we at
once accompanied him to our retreat, followed by Jose.

He was, as might be expected, very much cast down, and anxious about the
future; but Uncle Paul did his utmost to raise his spirits, bidding him
trust in God, and reminding him that everything would be ordered for the
best. Our plans for the future were then discussed, as our father was
eager to get off as soon as possible. As we spoke in English, Jose
could not understand what was said; but he observed everything that took
place with a look which I did not like--indeed, neither Arthur nor I
were yet satisfied that he was acting an honest part.

The means of obtaining provisions for the voyage next occupied our
attention. Camo suggested that we should try and catch a cowfish, the
flesh of which, when cut up into strips and dried in the sun, could be
preserved for a considerable time, and would prove more serviceable than
any other food we were likely to obtain. He offered at once to go down
to the river and look out for one. Arthur, Tim, and I accompanied him
and the two other natives. Tim had an axe, while we had our guns, and
the natives had provided themselves with lances, to which long lines
were attached. Camo took his post on the lower branch of a tree which
projected over the water, while we stationed ourselves at some little
distance, ready to render him assistance, if required; and we waited
thus for some time, looking up and down the stream in the hope of seeing
a cowfish come within reach of his lance.

The creature of which we were in search is amphibious, and suckles its
young like the whale. It is frequently found in pairs with its young,
browsing on the marine plants, and sometimes on shore in the cocoanut
groves. It is properly called the "manatee," or seacow; measures
fifteen feet in length, has two fin-like arms, is covered with hair, and
often weighs twelve hundred pounds. I had never seen one, but Camo had
described it to us as we were on our way to the river.

At length we caught sight of a dark object coming slowly up the stream;
its head, as it approached, greatly resembling that of a cow, while its
hairy body was raised considerably above the water. We knew from Camo's
movements that he also had observed it. Th