ative
companions.

The forest, extending so close to the river, was a constant menace, for
it afforded the best kind of shelter. Indeed, had the savages been
less courageous and kept among the trees, taking a stealthy shot as the
chance offered, they would have had a much better chance of doing what
they wished and with less risk to themselves.

The javelins flung in blind desperation went wide of their mark, with
the exception of one which whizzed over the canoe within a few inches
of Bippo's head. The fellow was peeping furtively above the luggage,
and heard the whizz of the missile passing fearfully close. He
instantly ducked with such emphasis that he almost broke his nose
against the bottom of the craft.

Striking the water beyond, the spear sank as abruptly as if it were a
cannon ball.

The belief of our friends was that the troublesome natives were
entirely confined to the left bank, though it was not likely they
refrained from crossing so narrow a stream as the Xingu at its upper
portion.

If the savages had been slow to learn from their first experience with
the white men, there could be no doubt that the valuable lesson of the
last encounter would not be lost upon them. The space between the edge
of the wood and the margin of the river was so slight that it was the
easiest thing in the world for one of them to launch his javelin with
terrific force across it, and they would do so before morning, if the
chance were given them.

If the other bank were reached, the savages would be easily detected in
the bright moonlight, if they attempted to swim across or used some of
their own boats. The only way in which they could avoid detection
would be by crossing above or below this point.

They would hardly ascend the Xingu for this purpose, since the rapids
would oblige them to travel a long way, and the place of ferryage,
therefore, was likely to be below the campfire.

Such were the views of the whites, as they shoved the canoe into the
stream, and stepping within, seized the paddles, which the helpers were
too frightened to use effectively, while so near the dreaded shore.

Fred Ashman had taken but a few strokes when he handed the implement to
Bippo and ordered him to use it. Then, resuming his Winchester, he
faced the land, half suspecting they would not be allowed to reach the
other side without some demonstration on the part of their fierce
antagonists.

Time was of the first importance, and