nded man, and the
Professor, with the aid of John, had now come up to him, and together
forced him to accompany him back to the wagon. He was wounded in both
legs, the shot having passed through the kneecap of one leg and through
the tendon of the other, thus completely putting him out of action.

When the boys returned from the charge they assisted in conveying him to
the wagon, and the Professor at once applied bandages to his limbs. This
was getting an opportunity, at close range, to view one of their
enemies.

The shot proved to be a glancing one, so that the bullet was still in
the tendon of the right leg. When the Professor applied the bandages the
savage was surprised at the proceeding. He evidently expected different
treatment, and glanced at his captors in amazement. During the first few
minutes of these interesting details, the boys had entirely forgotten
the savages, and the Professor called out a warning not to rest too
securely.

When the natives saw that the pursuit was not kept up they halted and
slowly and cautiously, returned. It was evident that they were
preparing for another fight. The wagon top was removed at one side, and
the chief hoisted up and seated in plain view of his fellows, while the
Professor directed the boys how to secure him in that position.

The entire band now appeared at the edge of the wood, not two hundred
feet away, evidently with the view to another attack. All the guns had
now been reloaded, and with the chief with them they had no fear of an
attack with arrows.

The Professor placed himself before the chief, and by motions endeavored
to inform the chief that if his men made any attack on them he would
forfeit his life. The chief understood, and in a peculiar guttural
tongue informed his men of the danger he was in.

Without further incident they disappeared, and now began the effort to
instil and extract information. He was entirely naked except a
distinctive headdress and a breech cloth, of very peculiar workmanship.
The color of his skin was not black, like the negro, but rather
copper-colored, like the Indian, thus confirming the impression which
was first obtained the night before.

CHAPTER III

A THIRD ATTACKING TRIBE

There was no common ground on which to start the mute conversation, and
the only replies volunteered by him were occasional grunts. Not a groan
escaped his lips when the Professor sought to remove the bullet, but he
sat there stoically,