de a landing it
was likely to be far below.

But he who held the paddle was a master of that species of navigation,
and Ashman was surprised to observe that he was aiming at the very spot
where he was standing carefully concealed in the shadow. If nothing
interfered, they were sure of making a closer acquaintance.

The boat was about the middle of the river, when the white man was
struck by the immense size of the occupant. He was one of the largest
men he had ever seen, his weight sinking the canoe almost to its
gunwales.

"He must be the savage who hurled his javelin through our boat," was
the conclusion of the astonished Fred. "What a magnificent fellow he
is!"

The native sat so that his face was turned toward the young man, who
studied his countenance with the deepest interest.

He had the busy head, the large protruding eyes, and the dark, naked
skin of all his people. His enormous arms swung the paddle first on
one side of the boat and then on the other. As he did so, Fred saw the
play of the splendid muscle, which was like that of Hercules himself.
Rash would be that antagonist who engaged him in a hand-to-hand
struggle.

Nothing in the world was easier than for the explorer to extinguish the
life in that impressive specimen of physical manhood, without the least
risk to himself, and yet, although he knew him to be the most
formidable enemy of his people, he held no thought of doing him
harm--at least not at the present stage of his extraordinary business.

It was at this decidedly interesting juncture that a new element
obtruded itself. The sounds of guns, shouts and yells, in the
direction of the rapids left no doubt that his friends there were
having a lively time with the natives.

Ashman would have turned and made all haste thither, but for the
presence of this burly giant in front. Whatever was going on down
stream was with the full knowledge of him, and he was the one for the
white man to look after.

Had the latter been surprised by the sounds of conflict, he would have
ceased paddling or headed his boat up stream, but he merely glanced
toward the rapids, and continued dipping his paddle and propelling his
craft, as if it was his intention to step ashore and grasp the hand of
the astonished youth awaiting his arrival.

The passage occupied but a very few minutes. Just before the bank was
reached, he made one powerful sweep of the oar, which sent the prow far
up the shingle, and then