or undertook to
make the situation, as just explained, clear to him. For this purpose he
made a chart to show the tributary stream on which they were encamped,
flowing into the West River, and its course to the sea, and by pointing
out the spot to the west of the river mouth, where the wrecked boat was
landed, he hoped the course could be fully understood. This explanation
seemed to be comprehended by him, but of this there could be no
assurance.

Meanwhile they had not for a moment forgotten to keep in sight the
warring factions, for now that they were much closer the character of
the meeting could not be misunderstood.

"Look at them," cried George; "the other tribe seems to be victorious.
They are coming this way." Such seemed to be the case. The retreating
forces were coming directly toward the wagon, and the situation now
began to take on a very grave aspect.

"What shall we do, Professor, if they come on to us?"

"We are here on a peaceful mission, and should fight only in
self-defense," was his reply. This did not exactly suit the spirit of
the boys, but they deferred to the wisdom of their friend.

It was plain that the tribe first seen was defeated and was being driven
back to the river, and the Professor advised them to prepare for any
emergency. The camp was not more than one hundred and fifty feet from
the edge of the river, and they had a plain, open view before them.

Beyond the river was a bare shore, the shrubbery did not grow near the
water, so that there was an open space of fully three hundred feet or
more on the other shore, thus giving them ample time to note and act,
whatever the circumstances might be. The Professor hoped that the
pursued might deviate from their path and bring them to the river below
their camp, but in this he was disappointed, as the first of the savages
made his appearance from the brush directly across the river, soon
followed by a dozen or more, all in precipitous retreat.

They now had the first close view of the savages. They were almost
wholly naked, and had more the appearance of the North American Indians
than of the South Sea Islanders, which their fancy had pictured them to
be. Each carried a short spear and a bow, and the Professor called
attention to the apparent lack of arrows, as the bows were strung on
their backs, and they carried the spears as though they depended on them
for protection.

"I think they have been beaten because they are out of ammunition