or
a friendly reception, they were eager to visit what seemed to them an
enchanted land.

There was some uneasiness over Waggaman and Burkhardt, who, it could be
easily seen, would at the most do nothing more than disguise their
enmity under the guise of friendship, holding themselves ready for some
treachery that would bring about the death of the visitors.

The conversation lasted a long time, and was ended by the natural
question put to Ziffak as to what should be the next step.

From what he had already stated, it was evident they were not yet
through with the Aryks. Despite their frightful repulse, they would
hold the Murhapas in greater dread than the whites; and, well aware of
the penalty of allowing them to pass above the rapids, would never
cease their efforts to prevent such a disaster. It followed,
therefore, that something must be done to spike their guns, and Ziffak
was the only one who could do it.

The whites were not surprised, when he offered to return to the point
down the river, where he had left his canoe, recross to the other side,
and make known to the Aryks that it was his wish that the explorers
should be molested no further.

The announcement would be a surprise indeed to them, but there was none
who would dare question the authority of such a source.

During the absorbingly interesting conversation, Ziffak stated that his
object in coming from the other side was to reach the camp of the
whites at the same time that an attack was made by the Aryks who so
cunningly used the floating logs and trees as a screen to hide their
approach. He preferred his course to that of accompanying them.

It will thus be seen, that, although the act of Fred Ashman in passing
down the Xingu seemed like a mistake, yet it was the most providential
thing that could have occurred.

Having made known his plan, the burly chieftain set about carrying it
out with characteristic promptness. Without saying good-bye, he rose
to his feet, and walking rapidly off, soon disappeared in the direction
of the spot where took place his encounter with the puma and his
meeting with Fred Ashman.

He had not been gone long, when those left in camp caught sight of the
little boat skimming swiftly across the Xingu below them. The
preliminaries of the singular movement in their favor was going on
according to programme.

But, with the departure of Ziffak, something like a distrust of his
friendship entered the minds of the