The Land of Mystery | Page 4

some utterance had passed
between them.
The first ominous act on the part of the natives was by this archer, who
deliberately drew an arrow from over his shoulder and fitted it against

the string of his bow. The fact that the missile was undoubtedly coated
at the end with a virus more deadly than that of the rattlesnake or cobra
was enough to render the would-be friend uncomfortable and to
increase his alertness.
At the same time that the archer went through this significant
preliminary, his companions shifted their grasp upon their javelins in a
manner that was equally suggestive.
While carrying these primitive weapons, the fingers closed around the
centre of gravity, that naturally being more convenient, but when about
to hurl them, the hand was shoved further toward the head. Both
natives thus shifted their right hands, though, they still held them
horizontal at their thighs, from which position they could be brought
aloft in the twinkling of an eye.
The white man walked slowly. The left hand, which supported his rifle,
remained motionless, but removing the right from his revolver, he
continued making signs, whose friendly meaning was so obvious that it
was impossible for the natives to mistake it.
While approaching in this guarded manner, he Studied them with the
closest scrutiny. Interesting under any circumstances, they were vastly
more so at this time. What struck him in addition to the characteristics
already named, were their frowsy eyebrows and glittering coal-black
eyes. These were unusually large and protruding. The noses, instead of
being broad and flat, like those of the native Africans, were Roman in
shape. The mouths were wide, and, when they spoke, he observed that
the teeth which were displayed were black, showing that a fashion
prevailed among this unknown tribe similar to that in vogue among
many of the natives in the East Indies.
Now, Professor Grimcke was too experienced an explorer to walk
directly into danger, where there was no prospect of avoiding a
desperate encounter. While eager to make friends with all the people
whom he met, he did not intend to assume any unnecessary risks. The
demeanor of the natives tendered it certain they were hostile. They
made no responsive signs to those of the white man, and the latter

would have checked himself half way, but for his suspicion that they
were mystified by his conduct and were undecided as to the precise
thing to do.
He not only heard their peculiar rumbling voices, but saw from the
movements of their lips and their glances in each other's faces, that they
were consulting as to what they should do. The white man was already
so close that he could easily be reached by the bowman, and there was
little doubt that either of the others could hurl his poisoned javelin the
intervening distance.
The only way of defeating such a movement was for the white man to
secure "the drop" on them, but, in one sense that was impossible.
Unable to understand the words spoken, they were equally
unacquainted with the weapons of the pale face, and would, doubtless
pay no heed to the most threatening demonstration on his part.
"Take my advice and come back," called Jared Long; "keep your face
toward them and blaze away, and I'll do my part!"
Instead of adopting the suggestion of his friend, the Professor slowed
his pace, still making his gestures of good will. However, when fifty
steps away, he came to a dead halt.
He had advanced three-fourths the distance, and, if the others were
willing to accept his offers, they should signify it by coming forward
and meeting him where he had stopped.
While moving forward in this guarded manner, Grimcke was prudent
enough to edge over toward the woods, which were now so close to his
right side as to be instantly available. When he came to a stop also it
was near the trunk of a large tree, no more than a yard distant.
"The Professor is cunning," reflected Jared Long, watching every
movement; "he'll whisk behind the tree the instant one of them makes a
move. Helloa! what's up now?"
To the astonishment of both white men the native with the bow shifted

it at this moment to his right hand, holding the arrow in place against
the string with the same hand, while the weapon was at his side. Then
he moved a step or two, as if to meet the stranger.
"Look out!" called the vigilant New Englander, "that chap is up to
some deviltry."
He did not refer to him with the bow and arrow, but to one of the others,
who stealthily turned aside and vanished among the trees. Being in the
Professor's line of vision the latter observed the suspicious movement,
and it