Lost in the Wilds of Brazil

  CHAPTER XIV

  The Deserted Village

  Professor Bigelow was right. On the shore not far away were a dozen ormore native huts, grouped in a cluster about one that was larger andmore carefully built. All about on the ground were various objects ofdaily life, such as wooden machetes, pots and kettles of clay, piecesof wood, and hides and skins of animals. But, strain their eyes asthey did, the explorers could see no Indians.

  The explorers were uncertain as to whether it would be safe to goashore, but finally Professor Bigelow resolved to take the chance. Hewas as excited as a boy, and seemed not able to wait until the boatscould be turned to the river bank.

  The crew, however, were a bit dubious about the venture into anunknown village. They had heard stories of how explorers had beenmassacred by savage Indians, and as they had never been far as thisupstream, they were at a loss to know how the strange tribe wouldtreat them.

  Still if the strange scientist was bound to hazard it they would go,although they would be ready for instant flight if necessary.

  The boats were brought up alongside the bank and made secure to smalltrees. Then the explorers climbed out and looked about.

  "An ideal site for a village," said Joe, glancing about.

  "Trust the natives to pick out the best spots," said Bob.

  Slowly and cautiously they walked toward the village, gripping theirrifles tightly. When within a short distance from the foremost hutthey stopped, and the professor, who had studied the languages spokenin this region, called out loudly in the native tongue--or rather whathe thought to be the native tongue.

  There was no answer, and the explorers proceeded on into thehabitation.

  "No signs of life anywhere," said Professor Bigelow.

  "Perhaps another tribe invaded and killed the inhabitants," suggestedMr. Lewis, glancing about.

  "No," disagreed the professor. "There is evidence that the place hasbeen recently inhabited. For instance, look at those ashes overthere," pointing to a place where a fire had been built. "They are notvery old. I know the signs. We can look for the tribe at almost anytime now."

  "Seems strange that the women and children went away too," said Mr.Holton, almost unbelievingly.

  "They often do it," answered the professor. "The women, you see, doalmost as much as the men. In many cases they do much more. They manytimes go along on excursions into the forest to carry the weapons andthe trophies of the hunt. And as this is a rather small settlement, wecan take that for granted."

  "When do you think they'll return?" asked Bob.

  "That is hard to say," was the reply. "It is all according to how longthey have been out. They may be back in a few hours, or it may be aweek. But," he added, "I am all for waiting. The chances are we'll beall right."

  They explored the huts and found them to be very substantially built.There were few pieces of furniture in them, but the largest hut,which was undoubtedly the chief's, contained several articles ofinterest to the visitors. There were brightly decorated pots andkettles, carved sticks, jaguar hides, spears and clubs, bows andarrows and blowguns.

  "Quite an elaborate display of implements," remarked Joe, examining ablowgun with interest. This weapon was about ten feet long, round andtapering, and covered with a glossy substance resembling glue. At eachend it was bound with heavy cord made from vines. A quiver of arrowswas attached to it, and, with utmost care lest they be poisoned, hetook one out. It was about three feet long and sharp as a needle.

  There were many other objects of domestic use lying and hanging about,and they were examined especially by Professor Bigelow, who had foundhimself in an anthropologist's paradise. Baskets, closely woven from astrange type of straw, were filled with farina; bone tubes forsnuffing were strewn about, and many kinds of ornaments hung on woodenpegs.

  Bob's attention was attracted to a kind of necklace, which was strungwith the teeth of some wild animal--unless, but this was hardlyprobable, they were human teeth.

  "Not human," smiled Mr. Holton. "Can't you tell a monkey's molars whenyou see them?"

  "Sorry, but I'm not as much of a naturalist and zoologist as you are,"laughed Bob.

  Meanwhile Joe was cranking the movie camera, filming the entirevillage. As a matter of fact he had been engaged in doing this sincethey first sighted the village.

  "These ought to be interesting scenes," he confided to Bob, as the twowalked toward the river bank.

  "They will be," was the reply. "Tend to break the monotony of theconstant river-traveling."

  At the shore they found several native canoes tethered to trees. Theywere mere dugouts, but they looked staunch and strong enough to stemalmost any current.

  The youths spent several more minutes at the bank; then they madetheir way back to the others.

  "What'd you find?" asked Mr. Lewis.

  "Only native canoes," Bob answered. "Only----"

  He stopped and listened. What was that he had heard?

  Again it came to his ears, this time louder and nearer.

  "Sounds like someone's shouting," said Joe. "Sounds like----"

  "Indians!" cried Professor Bigelow. "The Indians are returning!"