stray too far from
the house. The natives of the neighbourhood have long since been
Christianized, but we are visited by parties from long distances belonging
to some of the other tribes who are still wholly wild and eat human flesh.
Here they behave peaceably, because they credit us with supernatural
powers, seeing the respect and devotion with which we are regarded by the
natives here, of whom indeed we generally keep a strong body on guard
during the time that the strangers most frequently visit us; that is to
say, at the time that the floods are out. At that time most of the people
who live near the river are forced to retire to a great distance from
their homes, and being deprived of their usual pursuits, they take that
opportunity of coming here to purchase the articles they require. I do not
say that they would harm you, but assuredly they might do so, and it would
therefore be best for you to keep near the mission-house. Here you are
safe from any danger whatever, for even the wildest Indian would not
venture to set foot inside these walls, fearing that if they did, some
terrible calamity might befall them."

Stephen took the advice, for although he was not much affected by what the
old man said, Pita and his companion both confirmed his words, and told
him that many bad Indians, who would kill and eat any white man who
entered their district, frequently visited these mission-houses.

"Always carry your gun with you, senor. They have not the same terror of
firearms as their forefathers had, but they have heard enough to know that
they are weapons of war, and much more formidable than their own bows and
arrows, or the poisoned darts of their blow-pipes."

Stephen accordingly never went out, even to visit the falls, where he
spent the greater portion of his time, without his rifle. Generally one or
other of the Indians accompanied him, but seeing that no strangers visited
the mission-house, they gradually abstained from doing so. Stephen
preferred being alone--the tremendous roar of the water rendered
conversation impossible--and he was quite content to lie and dreamily watch
the flood pouring down unceasingly. On the evening before the day on which
they were to start, the moon was shining brilliantly, and Stephen, taking
his gun as usual, went out without mentioning his intention to his
companions, and strolled down to take a last quiet look at the mighty
fall, whose fascination grew upon him the oftener he look