The Land of Mystery

lin stood a moment longer, and then as if satisfied tha

it tore a jagged hole several inches wide, and a short distance above the wat

into play, and the prow of t

believing they were as hostile as the natives from whom our friends had had such a narrow escape. With their superior intelligence, there was more to be feared from them than from the brave but ignorant savage

ble to believe they had seen the last of the wa

ld be shoved into the river at an instant's need. No fire was to be kindled, although the entire party left

ford them much needed rest, promised to

ht being divided into two watches. For the first five hundred miles, after leaving the Amazon, this precaution was mainly to provide against the wild a

they deemed it prudent to kindle a fire, they would have prepared some fragrant coffee, of which they

tity of dried meat in darkness. The fish in the river was an unfailing source of supply, but that spe

iment as their native helpers, though, as has been intimated, they clung to a civilized costume. They wore broad Panama hats, flannel shirts,

and revolvers, besides affording a resting place for the knives, the indispen

ranged that Quincal and Jared Long should mount guard until midnight, when they would give way to Pedros and

t that if the savages found it impracticable to cross the Xingu in sight of the explorers, they would

such a movement. With his repeating rifle at command, he was sangui

quarter of a mile down the river and then hiding under the overhanging vegetation; but it has been explained that the Xingu, wh

t of the moon, and would, therefore, be plainly perceptible from t

his friends to take his place. The young man gave his promise, and, bidding them good-by, he began stealing down the stream, keeping as closely within

and he paused after going about a furlong, believing he

urveillance of the guards on duty there. Since he could also overlook the stream equally far in the opposite direction, it w

ith sufficient clearness to detect anything of the nature apprehended, and that the s

d, when it is stated that Ashman felt not the least doubt of h

sentinel, when unable to keep in motion, he avoided sitting down, even though he never felt mo

enturing from the shadow where he stood, for such an act was liable to bri

way across the open space to which we have alluded. It was in this partial gloom that the young man

the revengeful savages would attempt to cross the stream and make another stealthy attack upon the camp. They surely must feel enough dread of t

long the shores of the Xingu below. It was not to be supposed that such a powerful and brave tribe as th

ere not in existence. They may have been drawn up among th

as not an inviting one, for he did not expect the savages to make their attempt before mi

when, to his amazement, he discovered that somethi

meant. He first heard a splash, as though a body had fallen or been thrown

ers on the other bank, he should be disturbed by a sound among the trees directly behind him. He, turned s

ght of his proximity, or he would have taken more care to suppress any noise. Since he was so much nearer than

, or American lion, emerged from a point a couple of rods away, walked in

nt business elsewhere, and he, therefore, stepped soft

h an inquiring stare as though he scented something suspicious. He gazed toward the

shman was concealed. He offered a tempting shot, but it hardly need be said