f they have been killed."

"That is not according to the Christian law," observed Arthur mildly.
"I would run any risk, though, to obtain their release, should they have
been made prisoners."

"I feel sure that they have not," I answered. "Had they not escaped in
their canoe we should certainly have found some remains of her on the
shore, or some traces of them. Oh no; I feel sure they got off, and we
shall overtake them before long."

As I ceased speaking, a band of Indians appeared coming through the
woods. They were--like the first two, who were evidently chiefs--decked
in feathers and paint, but otherwise unencumbered by clothing. They
were armed with bows and spears, but not a musket did we see among them.
They were certainly the lightest of light troops. The two chiefs
seemed to look upon their weapons as of immense value, as a general does
his heavy guns. I saw the chief eyeing my rifle; and he then addressed
us, inviting us to accompany the expedition. In spite of what I had
just said, I felt greatly inclined to go, Arthur, however, urged me
strongly not to do so.

"Think of your sister and brother. How anxious our absence would make
them!" he observed. "You do not know what dangers they may be exposed
to; and suppose we were surprised and killed by the enemy, what would
become of them?"

I agreed that he was right, and explained to the chief that we could not
leave our friends. He then asked me to make over my gun to him; but, of
course, I could not deprive myself of our chief means of defence, and
therefore turned a deaf ear to his request. The troops had halted at
the foot of the hill; and we accompanied the two chiefs, who went down
to meet them. The natives looked at us without much surprise, as if
white men were no strangers to them. Arthur now advised that we should
return, as it would be a serious matter should we be benighted in the
forest. Before parting from our friends, we endeavoured to ascertain
whether they had seen our canoe, but we could obtain no information from
them. Still I could not help thinking that she had been carried off by
some of their tribe, who might have found her on their way up the
igarape. When, therefore, the chief again pressed us to pay a visit to
his village, we accepted his invitation.

Several lads had accompanied the army. As they only carried blow-pipes
in their hands, I suspected--as proved to be the case--that they were
not to proceed further.