HOW IT ENDED.
It will be recalled that the Professor started in pursuit of the flying
native with as much ardor as his friend, but, less skilful than he, he
had taken but a step or two, when an obstruction flung him to the
ground with discouraging emphasis.
Concluding that he had undertaken a futile task, he hastily climbed to
his feet to await the return of Long who, he was satisfied, would
attempt only a brief pursuit.
Remembering the javelin which had whizzed so near his crown, he cast
about for a moment and picked it up from the earth where it lay but a
few feet distant. As he balanced it in his hand, he observed that it
was about six feet in length, was made entirely of wood, which was
heavy and as hard and smooth as polished ebony.
The light of the moon was like that of the day itself. It would have
been easy to read ordinary print by it. He had no trouble, therefore,
in closely examining the novel implement of war. As he suspected, the
point was made of stone or flint, ground almost to needle-like
sharpness and securely fastened in place by a fine tendon wound around
the portion of the stick that held the harder part. This was covered
with a gummy substance extending to the end.
This he was satisfied was among the most virulent of substances known
to toxicology. A puncture of the skin was sure to be fatal unless some
remedy, of whose existence he held no suspicion, was instantly
obtainable.
He had set down his rifle white examining the weapon, but quickly
caught it up again, still retaining the javelin in his right band. He
had been startled by the sound of the terrific threshing among the
trees on his right.
He supposed that his friend was coming back, but, glancing toward the
point where 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 for the friends to walk so briskly
as to disconcert any plan their enemies might have formed. This was
quite easy, because of the open space, already mentioned, as lining
both banks of the Xingu.
Fortunately the distance to camp was not far, and, with the hurried
pace adopted by the Professor and Long, it ought not to occupy more
than a few minutes, provided no interruption occurred. Strange
emotions tortured both, as they kept their eyes fixed on the dark wood
at their side, from which they expected the sweep of the fearful
javelin, whose touch was death.
The keenest hearing could not detect the faint whizz, while the roar of
the rapids was in their ears, and they had to depend, therefore, on
their eyes, which promised to be of little more service.
But the entire distance was almost passed, and the hearts of the two
were beating high with increasing hope, when Long, with a gasp of
terror, grasped the arm of the Professor with incredible force, and
jerking him backward, pointed with his extended finger to the camp in
front of them.