340 TKAVEL, ADVENTUKE, AND SPOET. 



Ilosa, and caused her to sink, terrified and half- 

 fainting, into the arms of her friend. 



A large boat, of similar build to the one in which 

 Hodges had arrived, ascended the river, impelled by 

 the strokes of six vigorous rowers. Besides these, 

 two other men were seated in the skiff, which now 

 entered the creek where the canoes were moored. 

 The Englishman's boat was amongst the latter, and 

 seemed to attract the particular notice of one of the 

 two men ; he glanced sharply at it, and then made a 

 remark to his companion, who nodded his head, as 

 if assenting to his observation. The man Avho had 

 spoken stepped on shore. He was of the middle 

 height and slightly made, with a sunburnt com- 

 plexion, hollow cheeks, in which the smallpox had 

 left black, unpleasant-looking scars, and a pointed 

 and rather red nose. The expression of his eyes, 

 Avhich were sunken and of a dark-grey coloiir, and 

 his enormous whiskers and moustaches, gave him any- 

 thing but an agreeable physiognomy. There was an 

 air about him as if he strove to appear natural and 

 unassuming, but at times his false side-glances and 

 malicious smile more than neutralised all his efforts. 

 His dress was a short blue frock, buttoned up to the 

 chin, trousers of the same colour, and a cap. After 

 addressing a few words to his companion, who had 

 also come ashore, he walked with a quick step and 

 military gait towards the Miko's wigwam. Just then 

 the Indian council broke up ; the old chief strode 



