The Land of Mystery

the white men, it came the next minute, when, as they were in the act of stepp

Ashman had detected the p

along the path, from the direction of

r, the foremost would have col

placed his hand on his revolver,

been absorbed by the scene in the square, of which they ca

struggling lines, and moving on until they reached the fringe of spectators beyond. There they could no

when the minutes passed without their appearance, he resumed picking his way back, and quick

us strangers so near them, but since they seemed to have a remarkable disposition to be on

behind them, while they had seen enough to convince them of the danger from the front. Ashman, therefore, whispered to hi

could have reached each other

awal from the spot, when Johnston touched the arm of

'em are following

ould detect nothing to warrant such an

w governing noises at night, and it might be that he had misjudged the ru

, Fred once more resumed the advance, trying to perform the diff

that their footfalls could not be heard; but inasmuch as neither of the whites could belie

rvous, apprehensive state, he was sure that one of their dusky foe

h he was confident would come the next moment; but

for him to remain motionless; but the chivalrous fellow would not obey, and was close behind him,

h, as he shoved it aside with his foot, exp

ing vigilance, and he did not permit the error to

y through a labyrinth of peril, the like

en his companion once more caught his arm, an

ked, with his mouth almost a

of 'em behind us

ow there are m

sound-

ly detected the sound of footfalls, but discovered that inst

from the Xingu, and the keener heari

onlight fell upon the trail, giving them a faint but need

e and noiselessness, they stepped aside from

the footfalls sounded more distinctly than before, and something in th

ers could call to mind, and Ashman feared it was notice of one w

e the cat-like steps were more audible than before, though the

d space, where they expected to catch sight of them, but

th bushy head and a javelin in his hand, glide like a shadow into the darkness in front. A moment after, a second followed

nce, reflecting that they were as likely to meet

ng among the trees at the time the canoe approached the land, and may have followed the explorers soon after they started along the path with the purpose of cutting off their retreat. If such should prove to be the case,

little later, "they've turned b

u sure

o mistake

h, but he reflected that the natives having discovered the trick

e upon the best cours

he only chan