CHAPTER X.
DOUBLE-GUARDED.
The native who had made the wonderful throw of the javelin stood amoment longer, and then as if satisfied that he could do no more, heturned about and disappeared.
Fortunately, the missile had struck the upper part of the canoe,through which it tore a jagged hole several inches wide, and a shortdistance above the water. The injury could be easily repaired, and atpresent required no attention.
The paddles were again called into play, and the prow of the craftgently touched shore.
Having reached the right bank, the explorers had something to think ofbeside the savages whom they hoped were left behind for good. Twowhite men were known to be in the neighborhood, and there was warrantfor believing they were as hostile as the natives from whom our friendshad had such a narrow escape. With their superior intelligence, therewas more to be feared from them than from the brave but ignorantsavages; but, at the same time, it was to be hoped they might beconciliated, and that, if not, they would fight without the use of thefearful implements used by the savages, who held human life in suchlight esteem.
On the other hand, the explorers were too sensible to believe they hadseen the last of the warriors that had proven their daring and ferocity.
It was decided to leave all the luggage in the canoe which was held solightly against the bank that it could be shoved into the river at aninstant's need. No fire was to be kindled, although the entire partyleft the boat and advanced to the edge of the wood, beneath whoseshelter they seated themselves on the ground.
The night which they had hoped would afford them much needed rest,promised to be most exhausting in its requirements.
It had been the custom of the explorers, when camping on their way tothe Matto Grosso, to have at all times a couple of their number onguard, the night being divided into two watches. For the first fivehundred miles, after leaving the Amazon, this precaution was mainly toprovide against the wild animals, that were always prowling aroundcamp, and often showed a curiosity to make the acquaintance of thesleepers, and especially of their supplies.
The white men held an earnest consultation, while occupied in eatingtheir evening meal or lunch. Had they deemed it prudent to kindle afire, they would have prepared some fragrant coffee, of which theycarried an abundance, though plenty of the little berries wereencountered growing wild along the Xingu.
But that much-relished refreshment was now dispensed with, and they atetheir fruit and a slight quantity of dried meat in darkness. The fishin the river was an unfailing source of supply, but that species offood also required fire in its preparation, and was therefore out ofthe question for the time.
Their latitude was about fifteen degrees south, the temperature beingso mild that the whites could have got along very well with as scantyraiment as their native helpers, though, as has been intimated, theyclung to a civilized costume. They wore broad Panama hats, flannelshirts, with no coats or vests, and strong duck trousers thrust intotheir bootlegs. Thus attired, they were probably as comfortable asthey could be.
A belt around the waist contained a supply of cartridges for theirWinchesters and revolvers, besides affording a resting place for theknives, the indispensible Smith & Wesson being carried in the hippocket, after the usual fashion.
In view of the unusual peril threatening the party, extra precautionswere taken against surprise. It was arranged that Quincal and JaredLong should mount guard until midnight, when they would give way toPedros and the professor. This would leave Bippo and Ashman free fromany duty, their turn to come the following night.
Ashman, however, insisted on taking a part which was somewhat originalin its nature. He was confident that if the savages found itimpracticable to cross the Xingu in sight of the explorers, they wouldpass down stream and endeavor to do so, at a point where they could notbe observed by those in camp.
He meant, therefore, to station himself so as to be able to detect sucha movement. With his repeating rifle at command, he was sanguine ofdefeating the attempt, even though made by a score of enemies.
But for the peculiar contour of the banks on both sides, the whitescould have done much better by simply paddling the canoe a quarter of amile down the river and then hiding under the overhanging vegetation;but it has been explained that the Xingu, when its volume was swelledby rain, had swept the shores with such violence that they were barefor a dozen feet from the water.
Such a movement, therefore, would have to be made in the full light ofthe moon, and would, therefore, be plainly perceptible from theopposite bank--a fact which rendered the precaution of no avail.
All conceded the wisdom of Ashman's plan. The Professor urged him incase he found himself growing drowsy, to return at once to camp andallow one of his friends to take his place. The young man gave hispromise, and, bidding them good-by, he began stealing down the stream,keeping as closely within the wall of shadow as he could, and advancingwith as much care as though he saw the fierce savages across the Xinguwatching for just such a movement.
The peculiar nature of the ground rendered progress easy, and he pausedafter going about a furlong, believing he had advanced sufficiently farto accomplish what he wished.
The essential work of Ashman was to cover one-half the distance betweenhim and the camp, the further half being under the surveillance of theguards on duty there. Since he could also overlook the stream equallyfar in the opposite direction, it will be seen that the savages wouldhave to make their crossing nearly a fourth of a mile below the camp toescape observation.
All this was on the theory that the lone sentinel was really able toscan the space with sufficient clearness to detect anything of thenature apprehended, and that the savages themselves had no suspicion ofany such extra care on the part of their enemies.
The astonishing brilliancy of the moonlight will be appreciated, whenit is stated that Ashman felt not the least doubt of his ability tomeet every requirement of his self-assumed duty.
Well aware, from previous experience, of the insidious approach ofslumber to the most vigilant sentinel, when unable to keep in motion,he avoided sitting down, even though he never felt more wakeful. Solong as he stood erect, there was no danger of his lapsing intounconsciousness.
Another indispensable requirement was that he should not be temptedinto venturing from the shadow where he stood, for such an act wasliable to bring about discovery and defeat the very object that hadbrought him thither.
The moon was so nearly in the zenith that the shade from the edge ofthe forest did not project halfway across the open space to which wehave alluded. It was in this partial gloom that the young man took hisstation, placing himself as far back as he could without standing amongthe trees themselves.
He was in the position of one who feels that the lives of his dearestfriends are placed in his hands. To him, nothing was more evident thanthat the revengeful savages would attempt to cross the stream and makeanother stealthy attack upon the camp. They surely must feel enoughdread of the terrible weapons that had wrought such havoc, not to defythem again, but would make their next demonstration in the nature of aflank movement.
One fact caused Ashman some surprise; he had seen nothing of any canoesor boats, which were plentiful along the shores of the Xingu below. Itwas not to be supposed that such a powerful and brave tribe as those onthe other side, would live in a country abounding in streams, withoutfinding need of such craft.
But because he had not seen them, was no proof that they were not inexistence. They may have been drawn up among the trees, their preciselocation known only to their owners.
The prospect of holding his place for several hours, with his senses ata high tension, was not an inviting one, for he did not expect thesavages to make their attempt before midnight; all such people aimingto surprise their enemies when wrapped in profound slumber.
But Ashman had not been at his station a half hour, when, to hisamazement, he discovered that something was going on across the riverdire
ctly opposite.
Despite the strong moonlight, he was unable to guess for a long timewhat it meant. He first heard a splash, as though a body had fallen orbeen thrown into the water, and then, for several minutes, everythingwas still as before.
It was a source of annoyance to him that at this moment, when he hopedto keep his attention fixed on matters on the other bank, he should bedisturbed by a sound among the trees directly behind him. He, turnedsharply and looked around, for the noise which had caught his attentionwas a footfall beyond all question.
But, if the youth was to be taken between two fires, he was ready. Thestranger nearest him could have no thought of his proximity, or hewould have taken more care to suppress any noise. Since he was so muchnearer than him on the other side. Ashman was forced to give his wholeattention for the moment to the former's approach.
His suspense was brief, for while he stood with rifle ready, a largepuma, or American lion, emerged from a point a couple of rods away,walked in his stealthy fashion to the edge of the river and beganlapping the water.
Ashman wished nothing with him in view of more important businesselsewhere, and he, therefore, stepped softly back in the wood, beforethe beast finished drinking.
The puma quickly slaked his thirst, and then, raising his head, lookedabout him with an inquiring stare as though he scented somethingsuspicious. He gazed toward the other shore and finally swung himselflightly around, and trotted back to the forest.
Just before entering, he abruptly stopped and looked toward the spotwhere Ashman was concealed. He offered a tempting shot, but it hardlyneed be said that the young man restrained himself, and the next minutethe beast vanished.