starting on a
direct flight through the woods, returning to the Xingu at a lower
point, yet the sagacious chieftain had the best of reasons for his
course, as will soon appear.

Had Ashman fled through the forest, the fact would have been discovered
at daybreak, if not before, and such a vigorous pursuit would have been
pressed as to render escape out of the question. There was a
possibility of outwitting Haffgo by the flight to the lake, though it
was remote enough to cause the giant warrior to shudder when he
reflected upon it.

That which caused Ziffak regret was, that he had not paused long enough
before parting from the couple, to arrange a better understanding with
them. As it was, he was mostly in the dark concerning their movements,
and greatly handicapped by the necessity of appearing to be the devoted
ally of his royal brother.

Under the powerful propulsion of the five paddles, the long narrow
canoe sped swiftly up the Xingu, and, sooner than even Ziffak
anticipated, it turned into the narrow stream leading to the enchanted
lake. Along this it sped like a swallow until the huge rock with its
sentinel came in sight.

It was here that King Haffgo, for the first time, showed some interest
in his surroundings. He scanned the massive rock closely and
manifestly was surprised that the guard did not rise to his feet and
challenge them.

Observing that the figure remained motionless, he commanded the craft
to approach the rock. This was silently done, the boat halting with
the prow touching the mass of black stone.

Still the sentinel moved not, all unaware of his peril. One keen
glance showed he was committing the unpardonable sin of sleeping at his
post.

Rising quickly to his feet, the king stood upright for an instant, and
then, with a furious exclamation, drove the javelin which he snatched
from the hands of one of the warriors through the breast of the
unfaithful servant, who uttered but a single groan as he perished by
the hands of his master and sovereign.

Then Haffgo commanded one of his men to take his place. The fellow
instantly sprang from the boat and took his station on the rock, as the
successor of him who had died so ignominiously. Little fear of his
falling asleep on his post.

A minute later the boat shot out upon the moonlit surface of the
enchanted lake. There the occupants used their eyes for all they were
worth, the craft making a partial circuit of the sheet of water. T