ntermission. The
next day Ned declared himself well enough to proceed on his
journey; but his friend persuaded him to stop for another day.

Late in the evening Ned exclaimed, "What is that, Tom, behind that
tree?"

Tom seized his bow, and leaped to his feet.

"I see nothing," he said.

"It was either a native, or a gigantic monkey. I saw him, quite
plainly, glide along behind the tree."

Tom advanced cautiously, but on reaching the tree he found nothing.

"You are sure you were not mistaken?" he asked.

"Quite certain," Ned said. "We have seen enough of Indians, by this
time, to know them. We must be on the lookout, tonight. The natives
on this side are not like those beyond the mountains. They have
been so horribly ill treated, by the Spaniards, that they must hate
any white face; and would kill us without hesitation, if they got a
chance. We shall have difficulty with the Spaniards, when we fall
into their hands; but they will at least be more reasonable than
these savages."

All night they kept up their fire, and sat up by turns, on watch.
Several times they thought that they heard slight movements, among
the fallen leaves and twigs; but these might have been caused by
any prowling beast. Once or twice they fancied that they detected
forms, moving cautiously just beyond the range of the firelight;
but they could not be certain that it was so.

Just as morning was breaking, Ned sprang to his feet.

"Wake up, Tom!" he exclaimed; "we are attacked;" and as he spoke,
an arrow quivered in the tree just over his head.

They had already discussed whether it would be better to remain, if
attacked, in the light of the fire, or to retreat into the shadow;
and concluding that the eyes of the natives would be more
accustomed to see in darkness than their own, they had determined
to stay by the fire, throwing themselves down on their faces; and
to keep the natives at bay beyond the circle of the light of the
flames, till daylight. They had, in readiness, heaped a great pile
of brushwood; and this they now threw upon the fire, making a huge
pyramid of flame, which lit the wood around for a circle of sixty
yards. As the light leaped up, Ned discharged an arrow at a native,
whom he saw within the circle of light; and a shrill cry proclaimed
that it had reached its mark.

There was silence for a while in the dark forest and, each moment
that passed, the daylight became stronger and stronger.

"In ten minutes we shal