and surveyed their surroundings before setting out on
their return to camp.

Both sides of the Xingu were lined by the dense forest, in which the
vegetation is so luxuriant that it must be a source of never ending
wonder to those who look upon it for the first time. The river above
made a sharp bend, shutting off the view so fully that from their
position, it was impossible to tell how far they would be able to use
the canoe without making another portage.

"We haven't seen a person on our way here," remarked the Professor,
calmly surveying the river and shores; "and I hope Ashman will bring
back a similar report, for we all need a full night's rest."

"How is _that_?"

Long touched the arm of his companion, as he asked the question, and
pointed down stream in the direction of camp.

To the amazement of the Professor, three natives were seen standing on
the very spot where they themselves had stood a brief while before,
evidently scrutinizing the white strangers with profound wonder and
curiosity.

They were dressed similarly to Bippo, Pedros and Quincal--that is, with
only a piece of cloth around the loins--but they displayed a marked
contrast in other respects. They were taller, more athletic, with
immense bushy heads of hair, enormous rings in their ears, while the
hue of their skins was almost as dark as that of the native African.

One carried a long-bow and a bundle of arrows strapped behind his
shoulders, while the others were armed simply with javelins or spears.

"Those fellows mean fight," added Long.

"No doubt of it," replied the Professor.

"But a Winchester will reach further than their arrows and spears, even
if they are tipped with poison."

"Possibly they may be friendly, if they can be convinced that we intend
them no harm, and you know what an advantage it will be to us if able
to trust all the natives on our return."

Long could not share the confidence of his companion and favored a
direct advance down the bank toward the savages. If the latter
preserved their armed neutrality, all would be well enough, but at the
first sign of hostility he advocated opening fire on them.

Perhaps he was right in the declaration that anything like timidity in
dealing with savages is the worst possible course. While the rights of
every barbarian should be respected, it is all important that he should
know that such concession is made not through fear, but because the
superior party wishes to be ju