ment ceased, but were instantly taken up again by
other creatures at a distance. After a time, the same sounds
recommenced in another quarter. Had I not already been well accustomed
to similar noises, I might have fancied that we had got into some forest
haunted by evil spirits bewailing their lost condition. I was
sufficiently awake, however, to guess that they proceeded only from
troops of howling monkeys, though we had never yet heard them so near,
or in such numbers. In spite of the hideous concert, I at last fell
asleep.

The voice of our host aroused us at daybreak. "As soon as you have
broken your fast, I will accompany you to find your companions," he
said, "unless you desire to proceed by water. In that case, you will
scarcely meet them; but I would advise you to leave your canoe and raft
here, as I can conduct you through the forest by the only open paths
which exist, and by which alone they can make their way in this
direction. I am afraid, unless they had their wits about them, they
must have been exposed to the tempest last night, and may be but ill
able to travel far this morning."

John at once decided to go by land, as the canoe was not large enough to
convey all our party. The recluse looked at Ellen. "She will scarcely
be able to undergo the fatigue of so long a walk," he remarked. "If she
wishes it, she and her attendant can remain here, while we go to meet
your companions; and you can then return and remove your property, or
leave it till you can find the means of continuing your voyage. I did
not purpose to allow my solitude to be thus broken in on; but,"--and he
looked again at Ellen--"she reminds me of days gone by, and I cannot
permit her to be exposed to more trials than are necessary."

John thanked him for his proposal, though Ellen seemed unwilling to
remain behind. We also did not like to leave her. At last John
suggested that Domingos should remain also. The recluse pressed the
point with more warmth than I should have expected, and at last Ellen
agreed to do as was proposed. She was certainly better off in a
well-built hut than she had been for some time, and strange and
eccentric as the recluse appeared, still we felt that he was disposed to
assist us to the best of his power.

Our early breakfast over, John and I, shouldering our rifles, followed
by True, set off with the recluse. Ellen looked rather sad as we were
going.

"You will find poor Arthur? I know you wil