We understood that
his tribe had settled a short way off, in a secluded part of the forest,
where they might be less likely to be attacked by their enemies the
Majeronas.

We now tried to make Maono understand that we were anxious to have a
large canoe built, in which we might proceed down the river. He replied
that he would gladly help us, but that he must return to his own people,
as they had first to be settled in their new location. To this, of
course, we could not object, but we begged him to return as soon as
possible to assist us in our work. As soon as he was gone we agreed to
hold a consultation as to what we should next do. We took our seats
under the verandah in front of our new abode, John acting as president,
Ellen, Arthur, Domingos, and I ranging ourselves round him. True,
Nimble, and Toby stood by the side of Maria, as spectators, the latter
almost as much interested apparently as she was in the discussion, while
Poll and Niger stood perched on the eaves above us. The question was
whether we should devote all our energies to constructing a large canoe,
or make excursions in the small one we already possessed, as we before
proposed? We requested Ellen, not only as the lady, but the youngest of
the party, to speak first. She was decidedly of opinion that it would
be better to build the large canoe, as she was sure that our parents had
already proceeded further down the river.

"But what reasons have you for so thinking?" asked John.

Ellen was silent. "Pray do not insist upon my giving my reasons," she
said at last. "I can only say that I feel sure they have gone further
down. If they had not, I think we should have found them before this;
indeed, my heart tells me that we shall find them before long if we
continue our course down the river."

John smiled. "Those are indeed very lady-like reasons," he observed.
"However, we will record your opinion; and now wish we to know what
Arthur has to say."

"I should like to agree with Miss Ellen, but at the same time cannot
feel sure of a matter of which we have no evidence," said Arthur. "We
have not examined the banks up the stream or on the opposite side.
Although we have good reasons for supposing that, after quitting their
first location, your family proceeded downwards, as the labour of
paddling against the current is very great, yet, as they may have
stopped at some intermediate spot, I advise that we examine the banks on
both sides of t