CHAPTER XI.
A COLLISION.
Although the two physicians were deeply interested in the question oftoxicology they could not forget their situation and its perils. Thecraft had nearly completed its half mile to the mouth of the tributarywhich it was intended to ascend, when the polemen, pausing for amoment's rest, whispered that they heard the sound of paddles again.
"_There they are_!"
It was Jack Everson who uttered the exclamation, loud enough for all tohear. He pointed down stream as he spoke, and every one perceived thedreaded boat returning.
Although nearer at hand than before, it seemed to be following thecourse of the river, and there was hope that it would again passwithout discovering the shrinking ones so near land.
When first observed the other boat was fifty yards out and not quite sofar down stream. Moving against the current its progress was slowerthan before, but its advance was plainly perceptible. The craft of thewhite people had lost the momentum imparted by the poling, and was nowcontrolled only by the current, which was so sluggish close to the landthat the motion was hardly noticeable.
The hopes of our friends steadily rose until the other boat was almostdirectly abreast. It would seem that if the occupants intendedattacking they would have veered inward before this, but there could beno assurance so long as they remained visible.
Every one started when the gaunt, sloping figure suddenly becameupright at the prow of the boat and stood motionless. He had ceasedusing the pole that he had been plying with so much vigor. At the samemoment the noise of the paddles ceased, proving that the mencontrolling them had also stopped work. What could it mean?
No one of the white people stirred or whispered. Could they have doneso they would have checked the beating of their hearts through fear ofbeing betrayed. Surely something had awakened the suspicion of thenatives.
Suddenly some one spoke on board the craft. The voice was audible, butthe doctor, who was a master of Hindoostanee, could not catch what wassaid. At the same instant a splash was heard, and the lank form bentover, as he pressed the long pole against the bottom of the river andresumed his slow walking toward the stern. The noise of paddles, too,was heard again. The craft had resumed its progress, and for aninstant every one believed it was about to pass by. Then Jack Eversonsaid:
"By heaven! they're coming for us!"
All saw that the boat was swinging around so as to head toward them.
"Into the cabin, quick!" commanded the doctor, and the women quicklyscrambled out of sight, while the men lay down, so as to screen theirbodies as much as possible.
"It won't do to let them come too near," added the physician. "Try tomake every shot tell."
As he spoke he took the best aim he could and fired. Jack Everson wasbut a moment behind him, and Anderson discharged his gun almostsimultaneously.