of getting to Arthur. True, I hoped, might leap along the roots, which were sufficiently buoyant to bear his weight, at all events. Having given my rifle to Duppo to hold, I cautiously went on. I got nearer and nearer the bough. With one strong effort I might catch hold of it. I sprang up, and seized it with both hands. It seemed firmly fixed in a mass of floating wood. After clambering along for a short distance I let myself down and found footing below me. I now called to Duppo, and holding on to the bough above my head with one hand, stepped back till at last I was able to reach the rifle which he held out towards me. True sprang forward, and was in an instant by my side. Duppo followed more carefully, and at length we were all three upon the island.
“We shall soon find our way to you,” I cried out to Arthur.
“Oh, thank you, thank you!” he answered.
It was no easy matter, however, to make our way among the tangled mass of trunks and roots and boughs without slipping down into the crevices which yawned at our feet. I could judge pretty well by his voice where Arthur was. Duppo pulled at my arm. He wished that I would let him go first. This I was glad to do, as I had great confidence in his judgment and activity. Following close behind him, we at length got directly under where Arthur was perched.
“Here we are,” I cried out, “on a firm trunk. Could you not manage to come down?”
“I am afraid not,” he answered.
“Stay, then; I will climb up and assist you,” I said.
Putting my gun down, I made my way up the branch. Most thankful I was again to press his hand.
“I am somewhat sick and hungry,” he said; “but now you have come, I shall soon be all right.”