The Land of Mystery | Page 8

he expected him to appear, he was amazed to see the third
native, who whisked off before Long could draw a bead on him, step
from the wood not twenty paces away. His back was toward the
Professor, and, strangely enough, he did not observe the white man--an
oversight that never could have occurred, but for the tumult in the
undergrowth which held his attention.
Grimcke had hardly caught sight of him, when the other native came
flying to view, so astonishing his waiting comrade that he stood a
moment irresolute after the white pursuer burst into sight.
Brief as was this pause, it gave the Professor time for some exceedingly
fine work. He uttered a shout which caused the native to turn his
affrighted gaze behind him, just in time to observe the white man with
javelin raised and apparently in the very act of launching it at him.
The savage knew what a prick from that frightful thing meant, and with
a howling shriek he ducked his head as though he had caught its whizz
through the air, and shot among the trees with as much celerity as his
companion had shown in coming from them.
Neither of the explorers wished to slay the natives, no matter how
savage, unless compelled to do so in actual self-defence. Long had
recovered from his first burst of fury, and, though the Professor could
have sunk the javelin in the naked body, he withheld it, not unwilling
that his assailant, now that he had started to flee, should escape.

The one who had so foolishly come back to the river side was left in
the worst possible situation, for both his enemies stood between him
and the sheltering forest and he was defenceless. He was at their mercy,
and such people as those natives neither gave nor expected quarter,
when engaged in their savage warfare.
The fellow acted like a bewildered animal. The white strangers were
standing a few paces apart, so as to form the two angles of a triangle,
while he made the third. The nearest point to the forest way midway
between Grimcke and Long, as was apparent to the savage, who was
fairly cornered.
Had the Xingu behind him been as placid as farther above or below the
rapids, he would not have hesitated to plunge into its waters, trusting to
his skill in swimming; but, to dive into the raging current would have
been as certain destruction as for a man to undertake to swim unaided
through the whirlpool below Niagara.
Grimcke and Long were not unwilling to torment the fellow, because of
his cowardly attempt a few minutes before, though, as has been stated,
neither intended to do him any special harm.
The affrighted native crouched down, as though seeking to draw
himself into such a narrow compass that the terrible javelin could not
reach him. Despite the proof he had seen of the power of the civilized
weapons, he held his own in greater dread.
Grimcke raised the spear, as if poising it aloft to hurl at the savage. The
latter uttered a howl of terror, and, with his head still low, attempted to
dart between the strangers. Naturally he shied as far away as possible
from the Professor, and thereby brought himself almost close enough to
touch Jared.
"That's what I want," muttered the latter, hurriedly concentrating his
strength in his good right leg, and delivering the most powerful kick at
his command.
It was well aimed and most effectively landed. The Professor was sure

he heard the "dull thud," and always insisted that the recipient was
lifted clear of the ground and propelled among the trees with an
impetus sufficient to break his neck.
"There!" exclaimed the New Englander, looking around, "I guess I'm
through!"
"I am sure that last fellow hopes so," said the Professor with a laugh,
"for it's safe to conclude he was never handled with such vigor before."
The levity which both felt over their triumphant routing of their
assailants was checked by the sight of the stark, lifeless form on the
ground, only a few paces distant.
They had the best plea in the world for shooting the fierce savage, but
the consciousness that the necessity existed and that the deed had been
done, rendered them serious and thoughtful.
There was reason for believing the other natives would watch them
from the forest, and the one who retained his javelin was likely to seek
the chance to use it again. He certainly had strong temptation to do so,
with the prospect of little risk to himself.
Besides, as the explorers followed the rapids, their uproar increased to
that extent that the savages could move freely without danger of any
noise being overheard.
The most prudent thing to do seemed