is,
no doubt, too far away to come to our assistance, and our only hope is
to attack them now, so we might as well take the necessary steps."

While on his investigations Muro had discovered a fallen tree, which was
not more than fifty feet to their left. "We must reach that tree, and by
digging a shallow trench at one side, can easily defend ourselves, as
well as pick them off at our leisure."

Slowly they moved, in crawling attitudes, toward the place indicated.
The tree was not a large one, but it made an admirable breastworks, and
with their knives each man dug out a shallow hole, piling up the earth
beyond the hole, so as to shelter them from the arrows, which they knew
would be rained on them.

This work required a full half hour, and when it was completed, and Muro
had satisfied himself that each one was supplied with sufficient
ammunition, he was ready for the second stage of the game.

"We must attract them, by some form of action. I will take three with
me, and crawl forward, until we can catch glimpse of some of the
watchers. Those we will attack, and then fall back, and do the same on
the other sides."

Muro indicated those who were to follow, and after going only a short
distance the boys heard the shots, then four more. This brought the
sounds of voices from every direction. Muro and his men, during the
excitement, crawled to another portion of the line, and repeated the
manoeuver.

This, for the moment threw them into consternation, but they quickly
rallied, and now it was plain that they were pressing forward to rush
the position occupied by the boys. It was now obvious that the
precaution of making the defensive position, as Muro had suggested, was
their only salvation.

CHAPTER XVIII

DISCOVERY OF A NEW ISLAND, AND A SAVAGE TRIBE

Nothing could describe the uproar that the second volley created in the
ranks of the besiegers. Yell after yell came from the hundreds of
throats that were about them. It was now war to the end. There could be
no compromise.

While the boys had been in many difficult and trying experiences before,
this was the first time that they grew pale, and had strong misgivings.
They knew, however, that the object of the shrieks and yells of savages
were for the purpose of driving terror into the hearts of their foes.

In this respect it might not thus affect them, but when they considered
the overwhelming numbers around them, we cannot blame them for feeling
ala