oaded
with household goods and provisions; and the men set to work to block up
a narrow space, which had hitherto been left open.

A few minutes only had elapsed after this was done, when, as we looked
through the palisades, we caught sight of several human figures
stealthily creeping among the trees. Our friends crouched down to the
ground. We also carefully kept out of sight. The strangers approached
nearer and nearer. Now they stopped, looking suspiciously at the fort.
They evidently could not understand what it was. Several others,
emerging from the depths of the forest, joined them. They seemed to be
holding a consultation. Their numbers kept increasing, till they formed
a formidable band. They were sufficiently near for us to distinguish
their appearance, and we were thus sure that they were the same people
who had shot their arrows at us from the bank of the igarape. That they
came with hostile intent was very evident. After they had talked for
some time, one of their number crept forward, close to the ground,
keeping as much under shelter as possible; yet I could easily have
picked him off had it been necessary. Having approached quite near, he
again stopped, and seemed to be surveying the fortress. Presently we
saw him making his way back to his companions. It was well for him that
he had not come nearer, or he would have received in his body a poisoned
arrow from a bow or blow-pipe. Several of our Indians were preparing to
shoot. Again a long consultation was held. And now once more the
savage warriors began to move towards us.

I waited for John to give the order to fire. I saw the boys dropping
arrows into their blow-pipes, and the old men getting ready their bows.
Even Arthur, though hating the thought of injuring a fellow-creature,
was fixing an arrow to his bow. The enemy advanced slowly, extending
their line on both sides. In a little time they were near enough for
their arrows to reach us. Never having seen a shot fired in anger, I
felt a repugnance at the thought of killing a fellow-creature. I
daresay my companions felt as I did. I knew that Arthur had often
expressed his horror at having to go into battle, not on account of the
risk he might run of being killed, but at the thought of killing others.
Still, I had persuaded him that, if people are attacked, they must use
the right of defending themselves.

Again they came on; and then suddenly once more stopped, and, drawing
th