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We were nearing the dreaded point. I saw that Duppo was keeping the canoe over to the opposite side. "Would it not be better to get our guns ready to fire?" I said to John. "No, no," he answered. "Keep paddling away. There is no honour nor advantage to be gained by fighting. If we reach the village, we shall meet the foe on better terms." It was anxious work.
"I think we should be the better for paddles," observed Arthur. One of the trees, we found, very easily split into boards. We soon made three paddles, agreeing that a third would be useful, in case one should break. "But perhaps Duppo would be willing to accompany us," said Arthur. "He seems a very intelligent fellow. Shall we ask him?" We soon made our young friend comprehend our wishes.
I then advised Illora to send Duppo for water, while Arthur and I went out and searched for the recluse, in the hope that he might be in the neighbourhood. We first went to his plantation, thinking that he might be there, but could nowhere find him. It appeared, indeed, as if it had not been lately visited, as it was in a far more disordered state than when we had before seen it.
I again called out to Arthur. His voice sounded clearer than before. When I got to the end among the tangled mass of roots, I stopped once more to ascertain what Duppo advised we should do. I sat some time trying to pierce the gloom. At length I thought I saw a thick bough projecting over the extreme end of our tree. If I could once catch hold of it I might swing myself on to the island.
I therefore resolved to remain on our former tree, that, at all events, having proved itself to be tolerably stable. We were engaged in eating our meal when my ears caught that peculiar sound once heard not easily forgotten that of a rattlesnake. Duppo heard it too, and so did True, who started up and looked eagerly about.
So slender were their bodies, that when coiled completely up I could place one on the palm of my hand. Though I told Duppo afterwards that I had actually handled the snakes, he was not convinced of their harmless character, and insisted that it was another proof that they had been charmed by the white witches, which he still evidently considered our Brazilian friends.
Again we went floating down with greater speed than the floating island, and, judging from the inhabitants we had seen on it, we had reason to be thankful that we had escaped so soon. Duppo, since he had finished eating, had been busy scraping away at some of the monkey bones, and he now produced several, with which he intimated he should soon be able to manufacture some hooks.
We had stored our wallets with food, that we might not run the risk of starving should we be kept out longer than we expected. Duppo had followed our example, having brought his bag of farinha on shore. He carried his bow and blow-pipe; and Arthur was armed with his bow, as well as with a long pointed staff; and I had my rifle and a good store of ammunition.
I caught two or three other curious but useless fish, though, if very much pressed for food, we might have managed to scrape a little flesh off them. Duppo sat patiently fishing on. Though he had got no bites, he escaped being tantalised as I was by the nibbling little creatures which attacked my bait. Perhaps he sank his lower down.
Duppo uttered a cry of alarm. "What shall we do?" exclaimed Arthur. "O Harry, do try and save yourself. Never mind me. What can have happened?" "We have driven ashore," I answered. "I am nearly certain of it. All we can do till daylight is to cling on to this trunk; or, if you will stay here with Duppo, I will try and make my way to the other side, to ascertain where we are."
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