“We shall have, however, no little difficulty in replacing our clothing,” I observed; “though, as fortunately Marian’s box has been saved, she will be better off than any of us.”
“I don’t despair of being able to manufacture clothing sufficient for our wants,” said Uncle Paul,—“shoes, hats, and cloaks; but we must take to kilts when our trousers give way. We shall have, to be sure, somewhat the appearance of savages; but I hope that our manners will not become less civilised in consequence.”
“I can easily fancy how we can make dresses of leaves, or even of matting,” said Arthur; “but how do you propose to manufacture shoes, unless we capture some wild beasts and tan their skins?”
“I propose to make shoes of a vegetable substance,” answered Uncle Paul. “I have already seen some trees which produce it, and I have no doubt that we shall find others near our settlement. Every sailor knows how to make hats from grass or leaves; and the rest of our dresses must be made, as you suppose, of matting. Depend on it we shall have plenty of occupation when once we get on shore, in order to supply our necessities; and we may be thankful for it, as it will prevent us from dwelling unduly on our past misfortunes, or on the dangers and difficulties we may have yet to encounter.”
“I wish we were on shore, then,” I exclaimed; “for I cannot help thinking of the past, and on the dangers which may yet be in store for us.”
“Rouse up, Guy,” exclaimed Uncle Paul. “Your wish will soon be realised; for see yonder hut on the shore, and the captain and Peter standing ready to welcome us.”
We urged on our raft, and our friends beckoned to us to come to a part of the bank where we could most easily land. We made for it, and soon reached the shore. The captain and his mate Peter were standing ready to secure the raft.
“Welcome, friends, welcome to our new province of terra firma,” exclaimed the former in a hearty tone, as he grasped Uncle Paul’s hand. Then stooping down, he lifted Marian in his arms and placed her safely on the beach, exclaiming—“And you, my pretty maid, I am rejoiced to see you safe after all the perils you have gone through.”
“Indeed I am very thankful to have arrived here,” answered Marian; “for I feared that we should never see you again.” She had not before this said a word about the alarm she must have constantly felt during our passage up the igarape.
“You don’t look so much fatigued as I should have expected,” observed the captain; “and a few days on shore, with the good cheer we can offer you, will set you all to rights.”