y the arrows of the assailants and some fifty were more or less
severely wounded by the same missiles, while eighteen had fallen in
the hand-to-hand contest at the breastwork. Thirty-seven natives were
found dead inside the breastwork. How many had fallen before the
arrows of the defenders the latter never knew, for it was found in the
morning that the natives had carried off their killed and wounded who
fell outside the inclosure. As soon as the fighting was over Chebron
ran down to the boat to allay the fears of the girls and assure them
that none of their party had received a serious wound, Jethro alone
having been hurt by a spear thrust, which, however, glanced off his
ribs, inflicting only a flesh wound, which he treated as of no
consequence whatever.

"Why did not Amuba come down with you?" Mysa asked. "Are you sure that
he escaped without injury?"

"I can assure you that he has not been touched, Mysa; but we are still
on guard, for it is possible that the enemy may return again, although
we hope that the lesson has been sufficient for them."

"Were you frightened, Chebron?"

"I felt a little nervous as they were coming on, but when it came to
hand-to-hand fighting I was too excited to think anything about the
danger. Besides, I was standing between Jethro and Amuba, and they
have fought in great battles, and seemed so quiet and cool that I
could scarcely feel otherwise. Jethro took the command of everyone,
and the rest obeyed him without question. But now I must go back to my
post. Jethro told me to slip away to tell you that we were all safe,
but I should not like not to be in my place if they attack again."

"I have often wondered, Ruth," Mysa said when Chebron had left them,
"what we should have done if it had not been for Jethro and Amuba. If
it had not been for them I should have been obliged to marry Plexo,
and Chebron would have been caught and killed at Thebes. They arrange
everything, and do not seem afraid in the slightest."

"I think your brother is brave, too," Ruth said; "and they always
consult with him about their plans."

"Yes; but it is all their doing," Mysa replied. "Chebron, before they
came, thought of nothing but reading, and was gentle and quiet. I
heard one of the slaves say to another that he was more like a girl
than a boy; but being with Amuba has quite altered him. Of course, he
is not as strong as Amuba, but he can walk and run and shoot an arrow
and shoot a javelin at a mark