that could
only be accomplished from below, where the pursuers were glaring
across. They might erect a structure, if, the king so willed, which
would open a way of advance; but he was in no mood to care for or think
of anything of the kind.

Haffgo now talked earnestly for a few minutes to his head chieftain.
The latter listened respectfully, nodding his head several times in
acquiescence. Then he suddenly looked up the ledge again, steadied
himself for an instant, and hurled his javelin with terrific force at
the head of Ashman.

It was done with such incredible deftness that the American had no time
in which to dodge the fearful missile. Had it been accurately aimed,
it would have been driven straight through his skull!

But it missed by a hair's breadth, shooting up to the roof, where it
struck the rock with such violence that the head was shattered and the
remaining portion fell uselessly down among the rocks.

It was a close call, but Ashman was not frightened; he knew why it
missed him.

He now sighted along the barrel, as if he meant to shoot the chieftain,
who instantly ducked his head, and began crowding backward. It was the
first time King Haffgo had been placed in such a grave situation, and
he was panic-stricken. He turned so suddenly and began crowding to the
rear so hard, that he came within a hair of precipitating himself and
those immediately behind him from the ledge.

But Ashman did not pull trigger. He could not do so without
endangering the lives of Ziffak and the king, and as yet the other
warriors had made no demonstration against him.

But, seeing that the white man did not fire, Ziffak seemed to gather
courage and straightened up again. The king passed his own javelin to
him, and he glared up the ledge as if looking for another favorable
chance to launch, it with greater effect than before.

Ashman, who was narrowly watching every movement of his enemies, now
observed that the warrior directly behind the king, carried a bow and
arrow, and he was in the act of fitting a missile to the string, with
the evident intention of trying his hand at the business in which the
head chieftain had failed only a minute before.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

THE POISONED ARROW.

Such being the case, Ashman concluded that the time had arrived when he
should also take a hand.

Ziffak and King Haffgo placed their backs against the face of the
rocks, along which the ledge ran, so as to open a clear