r weakness
may be the worst possible way of accomplishing that purpose."

Uraso and Muro were both in favor of returning and waiting for the
_Pioneer_, as they knew it would be likely to show up within the next
three days, and their views decided the matter.

"Under the circumstances we must leave this place before it is too late
in the day, or we may have trouble in reaching the landing, although we
can easily hold them off with our rifles, but we must avoid bloodshed,"
and on this point John was insistent.

The camp was astir and all the equipment in hand within fifteen minutes,
although they had not yet partaken of breakfast. Uraso took the first
turn, as commander of the rear guard, while the main body hurried on to
cross the valley, before the savages could get the first notice of the
retirement.

Notwithstanding the great caution displayed, several shots were heard
before the slope on the other side was reached, and they knew that Uraso
was engaged.

It is difficult, sometimes, to know just how information travels among
savage people, but in this case, the peculiar beatings of the drums
which could be heard in the dim distance, was sufficient to satisfy Muro
that they had watchers, and a signaling means from treetops and from the
crests of the great hills all around them.

An hour afterwards Uraso's men were seen in the distance, and, although
they had fired no more shots, it was evident that the natives were now
in force and pressing against him with all their might. Only the
consummate skill of Uraso prevented them from rushing the men under his
command.

But the top of the hill was reached; the landing was not much more than
a mile beyond that, and John hurriedly took a half dozen men, and George
and Harry with him, in order to select the final line of defense within
reach of the landing place, while Uraso and Muro held them in check.

The boys were ahead of the little party, swinging along and trying to
get to the elevated point which John indicated as the most available
place, when two powerful natives sprang across their path, and before
either could draw a weapon, they were pounced upon and seized by two
more who approached from the rear.

With great presence of mind Harry cocked and fired the gun which his
captors were struggling for. The shot went through the arm of the native
who had seized George, and the latter, now free, raised his rifle and
brought it down with all force on the nearest one