luded to
remain at the present camping place until they could more fully observe
the attitude of the natives.

During two days previous the route had been through a dense forest, and
they emerged from this only a few hours before, their object being to
make their way to the river, as in the vicinity of the stream there was
not much wood, and the land was covered with comparatively little
underbrush. They felt that with the strongly built wagon, which had been
purposely made with a large, thick body, it would be more serviceable to
them as a means of defense than the woods, because the forest would
serve as places of concealment for their enemies, while adding nothing
to their security.

The strange man, who, in the absence of his true name, was called John,
noting the different ones climbing to the wagon top, also made his way
there, and gazed in the direction pointed out by Harry. He glanced
toward the savages, and then looked wonderingly at the boys and the
Professor. He did not appear at all disturbed, nor did he venture to
indicate by any sign that he understood or comprehended any danger.

And Angel, too, took a hand in the sights. He was beside George, and the
latter pointed out the savages, but if he knew what George meant his
face and actions did not show it. How little we know of the workings of
the human mind, and how should we know more of what passed in the mind
of that animal as he listlessly viewed the scene which so much
interested the others? We shall see, later on, how Angel profited by the
lesson which they tried to teach him.

"They seem to be fighting; at any rate, I can see them going toward each
other, and others running wildly about."

"Our better plan would be," said the Professor, "to go up nearer. In
that way we may be able to take advantage of their quarrel."

This seemed to appeal to the boys, and they were down instantly. The
yaks had been unyoked, prior to this, but they were now hitched up in a
hurried manner, and the wagon moved forward.

A word now as to the equipment of the wagon. It had been made with
unusually high sides, and was of thick boards, so that they did not fear
the arrows which, undoubtedly, were the only form of missiles which
would be hurled against them. Within were ten guns, each with a barrel
twenty inches long, and a three-eighths of an inch bore. All were
muzzle-loaders, as they had no facilities for making breech-loaders, so
that it would be impossible to fi