t a roar which penetrated miles, yet the sharp
discharges and cries of the combatants were of a nature to be heard
still farther.

Had the explorers suspected what was coming, Ashman, of course, would
have staid with his friends; for his services were almost
indispensable. In fact, but for the singular attempt of the natives to
make captives of the white men, they would have been unable to
withstand the terrific onslaught, despite the vast superiority of their
weapons over those of the assailants.

It never occurred to Grimcke or Long that their friend could have got
into trouble himself. He was removed from the scene of conflict, which
was over so quickly that he could not have reached the spot in time to
take part, had he started on the instant the first gun was fired.

But it struck both, while drifting downward and carefully scanning the
shore, as strange that nothing had been seen of Ashman. Enough time
had now elapsed for him to traverse the intervening distance several
times, and it was to be supposed that he would have put in an
appearance without delay, provided he was free to do so.

The two talked together in low tones, and admitted that there was
something to cause misgiving in Fred's continued absence. What could
be the explanation?

The Professor was inclined to think their friend had gone farther down
stream than he first intended; but, even if such were the fact, he
hardly could have traveled so far that he would not have been well on
his way back to the battle ground by this time.

The trend of the Xingu was such at this point, that the thin line of
shadow along the wood on their left, as they passed down the river,
steadily widened until it now almost reached the water itself. In a
short time it would extend over the surface and afford the canoe that
shelter which, had it come earlier in the evening, might have postponed
the desperate conflict with the savages.

The move from above was merely to get away from the sights that met
them at every turn; and, without seeking to drift to the point where
Ashman was supposed to be waiting, the explorers turned the prow to
land, which they touched a moment later.

It would have been more cheerful to have had a fire burning, but there
was no other call for it. The mild temperature rendered it really more
enjoyable without it, since the blaze was always sure to attract
innumerable insects, and possibly might tempt the defeated natives to
another ef