of the spectators, but, if so, there was an awful
earnestness about it, for the stake for which they strove was human
life.

The two lines faced each other but a moment, when another shout rang
out, and they rushed together once more with the fury of two cyclones.

By this time, our friends had discovered that no member of the parties
was furnished with any weapon other than those provided by nature.

Fearful then must have been the struggle, which had already terminated
in the death of three of the contestants.

But they were at it again with the fierceness of so many cougars
fighting in defence of their young.

The result was terrifying. The contest had lasted but a few minutes,
and already a couple were on the earth, when one of the combatants,
with a cry of pain dashed in almost a direct line toward the spot where
our friends were hiding.

Had he not been overtaken and dragged back, he would have been upon
them before they could get out of the way, and it is not difficult to
conjecture what would have followed.

The miserable wretch, however, was seized on the very edge of the wood
by four others and carried writhing and resisting back to the space.
There he was flung down, and, being unable to rise, the others leaped
upon him and in a few minutes all was over. He was added to the list
that were already _hors du combat_.

Ashman and Johnston had received a shock which drove away all interest
in the fearful spectacle. Their escape was exceedingly narrow and they
could scarcely hope for such good fortune again.

Fred touched his friend and whispered to him. Immediately, they began
stealing from the dangerous spot.

CHAPTER VI.

ALONG THE FOREST PATH.

If any further proof were needed of the delicacy and danger of the
situation of the white men, it came the next minute, when, as they were
in the act of stepping back into the trail, the sailor caught the arm
of his friend and checked him.

No need of speaking, for Ashman had detected the peril at the same
instant.

Two natives were stealing like phantoms along the path, from the
direction of the river and going toward the village.

Had they been ten seconds later, the foremost would have collided with
the young explorer.

The latter held his breath, and placed his hand on his revolver,
believing a fight was inevitable.

So it would have been, had not the attention of the savages been
absorbed by the scene in the square, of which they ca