zed his arm
directly afterwards, and together we towed him towards the bank, calling
to the Indians to haul the sipo gently in. Soon reaching the bank, we
dragged up our nearly drowned companion. Not till then did we discover
that he was Isoro, who, it appeared, had taken the load of a sick bearer
unable to carry it.

Isoro, as soon as he had recovered sufficiently to speak, thanked us
warmly for preserving his life. Don Jose, who had come up, also added
his thanks. "I value him much," he observed, "and should have grieved
deeply had he lost his life."

We had little time for talking, however, for we had to hurry back to
where we had left our companions, as the storm which had been brewing in
the mountains now threatened to break over our heads. Our party,
therefore, piling up their loads, made haste to erect some sheds similar
to those we had already several times built. A quantity of the
_sindicaspi_, or "wood that burns," was speedily cut, and fires were
lighted, at which we dried our drenched clothes. Scarcely had our
preparations been made, when the threatening storm burst over us, the
wind howling and whistling through the trees, which waved to and fro,
making a loud rustling sound; while every now and then we could hear the
crashing noise of some patriarch of the forest, as it sank beneath the
blast. The rain came in torrents, and the river, surging and swelling,
rapidly increased its breadth. We had indeed reason to be thankful that
we had not delayed our crossing a moment longer. Our fires were soon
put out, and water came rushing down on either side of us through the
forest. We, however, had chosen a slightly elevated spot for our camp,
which, though surrounded by water, had hitherto escaped destruction.
The rain continuing to pour down in a perfect deluge, compelled us to
remain in our camp. So secure, however, had the roofs been made, that
we kept dry inside. Occasionally John, Arthur, and I ran into Ellen's
hut to pay her a visit. We found her and Maria sitting very composedly,
employing themselves with their work, which they produced from one of
the bundles they had unpacked. Don Jose remained in his hut, attended
by Isoro. He was much more out of spirits than we had yet seen him.

"My young friends," he said, "I must soon bid you farewell. I had
resolved to accompany you till I could see you embarked on the river.
We shall reach it, I hope, in three or four days at furthest, but I
cann