John, "and perhaps our lives. We must still try to
find a safe place to land at."

We were yet at some distance from the shore, though, driven by the
fierce wind, we were rapidly approaching it. The storm increased. Dark
clouds were gathering overhead. A bright flash of lightning darted from
them, crackling and hissing as it went along the water: another, and
another followed. Suddenly, as if a thick mantle had been thrown over
us, it became dark, and we could scarcely have distinguished an opening
in the forest had one been before us. John was more unwilling than ever
to risk landing; and we therefore steered down the river, parallel with
the shore, so as to prevent the raft as long as possible from being
driven against it.

"Paddle on, Harry!" cried John, with his usual coolness; "we may yet
find a harbour of refuge."

We could judge pretty well, by the varying outline of the leafy wall
close to us, that we were making rapid way. The wind, too, had shifted
more to the west, and drove us therefore still before it. Arthur and
our Indian friends would, I knew, be in despair at not seeing us land;
while it was certain that they could not keep pace with the raft, as
they had to make their way through the tangled forest. Now that
darkness had come on, they would probably be compelled to stop
altogether.

The wind blew harder. The raft was tossed fearfully about. Another
rattling peal of thunder and more vivid flashes of lightning burst from
the clouds. Maria shrieked out with terror; while the two monkeys clung
to her, their teeth chattering--as alarmed as she was, Ellen afterwards
told me. Then again all was silent.

"I am afraid, Harry, we must make the attempt," said John at last. "But
the risk is a fearful one. We must tell Ellen, Domingos, and Maria to
be prepared.--Be ready, dear Ellen!" cried John. "Hold on tightly; and
when I call to you, spring towards me. We must manage by some means to
get on shore. Domingos will help Maria. Harry will try to secure the
guns and ammunition; our existence may depend upon them. The animals
must take care of themselves.--Domingos, are you ready?" he asked, in
Spanish.

"Si, si, Senor John. But look there, master; what is that light on
shore? It must come from some hut surely, where we may obtain shelter.
Let us try to reach the place. Even if there are savages there, they
will not refuse to help us."

As he spoke, we observed a bright light bursting