Tim was the first to cry out. “Arrah, Master Guy! couldn’t you just speak to Mr Paul, and tell him we are starving? If it’s all the same to him, we will just put ashore on one of the big trunks and stow away a little food in our insides; for though it’s something like the life of fishes we are leading, we cannot eat, as they do, in the water.”
I told Uncle Paul what Tim said; and we accordingly once more climbed on to a convenient resting-place, where food was served out to all hands.
Chapter Eleven.
Where are Quacko and Ara?—The Swim continued—Escape from an Alligator—Marian and my Father—Reach a Lake—A Curious Sail—Fishing.
We had been resting for some time, and now felt able to keep on swimming for many miles without stopping. We were in tolerable spirits, having every reason to believe that we should see no more of the savages. We hoped, too, that the next would be our last stage, and that at the end of it we should find Marian, with my father and Arthur, safe on the raft. Uncle Paul then proposed to construct an additional raft to carry the whole party.
We had finished our meal, when Kallolo exclaimed, with an expression of grief on his countenance, “Oh! where is Quacko? Cruel, indeed, have I been to leave him behind; but my thoughts were so engaged with the dangers which threatened us, that for the moment I forgot all about him. I must go back and find the affectionate ape. Even though he may obtain subsistence in the forest, he will pine and die when he finds himself deserted by his friends.”
“Stay, stay, my friend,” said Uncle Paul. “Much as I esteem your regard for the poor ape, and his extraordinary attachment to you, I would not have you risk your safety by attempting to recover him. The lives of all the party are of far more importance than that of the ape; and for your own sake as well as ours I must prohibit your going.”
Kallolo looked very unhappy on hearing this. “I shall run little or no risk, Señor Paul,” he answered; “and, besides, Maco and Polo are as able to guide you as I am. I cannot bear the thought of losing my friend through my own negligence.”