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Updated: May 29, 2025
John, Ellen, Maria, and Domingos went in the larger one, accompanied by Nimble and Poll, with Naro and two of his followers; while Isoro, Arthur, and I embarked in the smaller, with two of the other men. True, of course, went with us, his usual post being the bow, where he stood with his fore-feet on the gunwale, as if it were his especial duty to keep a look-out ahead.
He was, like his master, of pure Indian blood, but of not so high a type. Still, he was good-looking, active, and intelligent. His dress differed only from that of Don Jose in being of coarser materials. We were at once struck with the respect and devotion with which Isoro treated his master, and with the confidence Don Jose evidently reposed in him.
Isoro introduced the tallest of the party, whose kilt was rather more ornamented than those of his companions, as their chief Naro by name. He had agreed to build us a couple of canoes, of sufficient size to convey us down the more dangerous parts of the river. After this we were to proceed in one, while he and his men returned in the other.
At length Don Jose ordered the Indians to form a long rope of sipos, and to stretch it across the stream, that it might assist to steady the bearers on their passage. This caused some delay. "Hasten! hasten!" cried Isoro. "I hear a sound which tells me that the waters are coming down!" Don Jose on this led the way. Arthur kept close to him.
I looked round, and caught sight of two enormous hounds approaching at full speed. I could hear their loud, baying voices as they came on panting up the mountain-side. I did not hesitate a moment, when urged by Isoro to cross at once. "The rope will bear you," he shouted out "not a moment is to be lost!"
There was a bright moon, so we had no great difficulty in seeing our way, though in that region of precipices it was necessary to be cautious. Isoro and the Indians led the way, tracing the puma by the blood which their keen sight discovered on the ground. We had not gone far when they stopped and signified that the beast was near.
"Master, let me go first," exclaimed Isoro, springing forward. "If it breaks with me it will matter little, and you will have still a chance for life." Without waiting for Don Jose's answer, Isoro threw himself upon the rope, and, holding on by hands and feet, began to work himself along. I watched him anxiously.
We shall reach it, I hope, in three or four days at furthest, but I cannot be longer absent from my people in these troubled times. I hope that you will soon overtake your father and family, who, from the accounts I have received, intend to wait for you at the mouth of the river, where it joins the Amazon. Though I must return, Isoro has expressed a wish to accompany you.
Had it not been for Don Jose, we might have been subjected to much annoyance and trouble, and been prevented probably from following our family. We each of us presented Isoro also with a small remembrance. We parted from him with sincere regret; and I believe that had it not been for his devoted love to his master he would gladly have accompanied us.
But, alas! in these times of our degeneracy, in that, as in many other points, we are grievously deficient compared to our ancestors." "Oh, thank you," said Ellen. "I shall indeed be obliged to Isoro if he can show me how to tame some of these beautiful little birds."
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