firearms ready, however, having no intention of yielding as long as
we were able to resist; and the doctor, having put fresh powder into the
pan of his rifle, now knelt down in the stern of the boat, prepared to
take good aim should our pursuers exhibit any hostile intentions.

"Why, doctor, I thought you said just now that only fools were eager to
fight," I could not help observing.

"And you are right, young gentleman," he answered. "I am only preparing
to defend myself; and I hope that the people in yonder canoe will have
the wisdom not to attack us. Still, in case they should do so, we
should lack wisdom if we were not prepared for their reception."

While the doctor was speaking I was watching the canoe, which was now
joined by several others; but for some reason or other the fastest
remained for the slower ones, and thus we managed to keep well ahead.
The water hissed and bubbled under the bows as our boat clove her way
through it. My uncle sat as calm as usual, and had I judged by his
countenance I should not have supposed that we were in the slightest
danger. The captain and crew, however, showed by their eagerness that
they were very unwilling to be overtaken; while the doctor, in spite of
his professed pacific feelings, was full of fight, and prepared for the
worst. Such good use did the crew make of their paddles, however, that
on seeing that we were distancing them our pursuers began to shout and
shriek--from disappointment, as we supposed. But their cries only made
our men redouble their efforts, and utter every now and then a derisive
shout in return. It was echoed by the chattering of the monkeys and the
loud squalls of the parrots from the neighbouring woods, Jumbo
occasionally adding to the chorus by barking furiously.

At length, on rounding a point, we lost sight of the hostile canoes; but
our men did not relax their efforts, for we expected them every instant
to reappear. I kept watching the point, but no canoe could be
discovered coming round it, so I began to hope that the Indians had
given up the chase. Our men behaved admirably, and not for a moment did
they complain of the severe exertion they were going through. Still, we
were too well acquainted with the treacherous character of the Indians
not to know that they might very possibly keep out of sight to deceive
us, and then come on during the night, in the expectation of finding us
encamped on shore, and thus take us by surprise. T