chance and the New Englander had lost, and that, too
without any suspicion on his part of the little trick played upon him.

Before resorting to the last opportunity, Long slipped through the back
room and ascertained the outlook there. He was surprised at the
result. Hardly a native was visible. It looked indeed as if they were
working their way round to the front, and that some scheme of attack
had been agreed upon by the leaders from that point.

The Professor's survey confirmed the theory of his friend. The
Murhapas were more plentiful than ever. They appeared to be
marshalling along the bank of the Xingu, where there were so many that
it was impossible to count the heads and shoulders rising above the
slope.

Waggaman was not in sight, though there could be no doubt that he was
the inspiring spirit in the movement. All the indications were that a
rush had been agreed upon. Should it be permitted to come off
unopposed in its incipiency, it would be all up with the men who had
defended themselves so bravely thus far.

"I will begin at the head of the row," said the Professor, "and you at
the foot; make every shot tell."

"All right; begin!"

The fusillade was opened the same instant. Both men fired rapidly,
and, though they could not pause to make their aim as sure as they
wished, and though it is not to be supposed that every shot was
effective, yet the execution was dreadful.

Arms were seen flung spasmodically upwards, figures leaped clear off
the ground and then fell back out of sight, shrieks and shouts filled
the air, and still the crack of the Winchesters continued without
intermission.

One gratifying feature of the fearful scene was that the warriors began
flocking around to the front, though they kept well back, as if to
avoid the murderous discharge. These new arrivals not only afforded
additional targets to the riflemen, despite their furious efforts to
screen themselves, but proved that the scheme of the defenders was
working as they desired: the natives were swarming from the rear to the
front.

"Off with you; don't wait!" commanded the Professor.

"Good-bye!" was all that Jared Long said, as he darted from the side of
his gallant friend and vanished.

Professor Grimcke took a few seconds to refill his magazine, when up
went his Winchester again and the furious discharges seemed to be more
rapid than before.

It would naturally be supposed that if the assailants saw that both o