have seen," he answered. "We may find
them now at any time. I am now sure that there are several tribes here."

"What makes you believe so?"

"Because we have found different kinds of hair, which is usually the
best evidence of the differences in the tribes, as each has its own
peculiarity."

"Savages, and cannibals!" said George reflectively.

"But we must go on. We have still an hour in this direction before we
turn to the south and east," said Harry.

There was more caution now exercised, and the speed was accordingly
reduced, in view of the especial care which they took. In order to
understand what happened the reader should know something of the nature
of the country.

Some places in Wonder Island had the same sort of timber and
undergrowth, and they went through some dense forests, in which vines
and small brush made traveling difficult. They had to cut their way
through some of this vegetation.

The land was not low or flat. If it had been there would have been a
dense jungle. Sometimes they passed through half-grown forests, and
these places were the most difficult to scour, because an enemy might
be within fifty feet, and not be discovered.

It was in just such a place that they received their first surprise; a
shower of arrows, so thick that they instantly knew it could not have
been made by only a dozen or so. Some of the arrows found their marks,
and two of the men sank down, while Muro coolly drew one of the crude
missiles from his arm.

"Drop down!" cried Muro.

There was not a savage in sight; still a number of arrows fell around
them. "Remain quiet, and I will find them?" said Muro, as he crept
forward quietly through the dense grass.

George and Harry followed, although it was evident it was not Muro's
wish. Before they had gone ten feet, Muro turned, and pointed ahead.
"They are there; at least one party. Get ready for a shot."

The savages, noting the quiet in their front, now cautiously peered
through the bush, and the boys saw the most hideous countenances. "We
might give them a round," said Muro, and after carefully aiming, the
guns spoke.

The simultaneous explosion of the three guns, raised pandemonium on all
sides. They were now surrounded by at least a hundred of the savages,
but for some reason the little party of twenty awed them, and instead of
making a charge, they rushed toward the place where the three victims of
the gunshots lay.

[Illustration: "_She ... found herself