al."

"Where shall we go?" asked Mont.

"We are not safe here. The savages will return in larger numbers
directly, and we shall probably lose our lives, so I propose to seek our
boat."

"And go back to the _Searcher_?" asked Carl.

"Yes."

"Never! I for one will not go!" cried Carl.

"And I can't crawl. I'm as lame as a dog," said Stump, half crying.

"Roll, if you can't walk," said the professor jokingly.

"Pull it out, sir. Give me a hand with it. It hurts awful."

Mont advanced to the boy and seized the arrowhead, which he tugged at
until, with a torrent of blood, it came out of the wound.

It was with difficulty Stump managed to limp on one leg, and seemed very
grateful when Mont bound up the wound and told him to lean on his
shoulder.

"My dear boy," said the professor, "discretion is the better part of
valor. I am averse to the taking of human life, for I am a man of
science and not a fighter. My advice is to check the advance of those
bloodthirsty savages, and when your ammunition is spent, to run. As I am
old, and not quick of foot, I will start at once."

So saying, he ran with all speed to the boat.

"Coward!" said Mont angrily.

"What are we to do?" asked Carl blankly.

"Follow him, I suppose," replied Mont. "Bring up the rear, Carl, while I
help Stump along, and if the beasts show again, call us, and we will
turn and fire."

They began to beat a retreat in this order, and, fortunately, the
natives did not again make an appearance.

The half-mile was traversed quickly, Stump groaning dreadfully as he was
forced along.

When within a few paces of the boat awful yells were heard behind them.

Turning to see from whence they proceeded, Mont saw a horde of savages
in pursuit. The sands seemed to be alive with them.

Evidently the defeated party had returned to obtain re-enforcements and
apprise their companions of the slaughter which had taken place, urging
them to avenge it.

An army of at least three hundred wild-looking fiends were at their
heels, and not a moment was to be lost.

"Quick, for Heaven's sake!" said Professor Woddle. "The savages are upon
us. Quick, boys, or we are lost!"

The boys sprang into the boat, placing Stump in the bows, and pushed
off.

Carl and Mont plied the oars vigorously.

Fortunately, when the savages reached the beach they were some distance
out.

A flight of arrows fell close to them without doing them any harm.

At least a hundred of the nat