closely by
the hatchet-face and a score of tribesmen. The whites and the Mayorunas
got into half a dozen of the waiting canoes and paddled across. In other
dugouts the Red Bone men also crossed, but they did not land. As soon as
the borrowed boats were empty the tribesmen took them in tow and
returned to their own bank. The visitors were left on a partly cleared
shore, separated from their uncordial hosts by some twenty yards of deep
water. Not one canoe was left them. Furthermore, the Red Bones now began
activities indicating an intention to establish a night-longwatch on the
irside of the stream.

"Taking no chances of our raiding them to-night, or even snooping around
town," said Knowlton. "Keeping everything in their own hands. Reckon
we'd better post sentries to-night, Rod, just to keep an eye on that
outpost of theirs."

McKay nodded.

"We four will take it in turn," he agreed. "Lourenco--Pedro--you--I.
Three-hour tours."

"Pardon, Capitao," interposed Pedro. "It would be well to change that.
You two senhores take the first two watches."

"Why?" frowned McKay.

"Because Lourenco and I wish to go visiting. We are much smitten with
the charms of the ladies here."

The captain's frown deepened, but he studied Pedro's devil-may-care face
keenly before answering.

"Humph! What's up your sleeve? Out with it!"

Pedro glanced around him and across the water. The tribesmen, both of
the Mayoruna force and of the Red Bones, were watching the colloquy.

"We are watched, Capitao. Let us make camp now and talk later. These men
do not understand our words, but we cannot tell what they may see in our
faces. Now speak harshly, as if I had been insolent."

McKay did. He thundered at the young bushman as if about to do him
bodily injury.

Pedro retreated a step, as if taken aback by the storm he had unleashed.
When McKay stopped he replied: "Excellent, Capitao. Now I go to start
work on the _tambo_."

He trudged away with a sullen gait. On both sides of the stream the
Indians muttered and looked at the tall commander with increased
respect. Truly, the Blackbeard was a fierce ruler and one who must not
be angered; he had the voice of a great gun and the temper of a jaguar.
That other man was lucky to have his head still on his shoulders!

When the camp was made at the edge of the bush and the four comrades
were grouped in their hammocks, Lourenco narrated in detail the
conversation with Umanuh. Knowlton reciprocat