three whites. Bippo and Pedros
were so overcome by what they had seen that they were unable to
comprehend what it all meant. They kept their places in the boat and
listened and wondered in silence.

The Professor hoped for the best, though he admitted that there was
something inexplainable in the business. He had spent hours in
examining the strange fish of the Upper Xingu, in inspecting the
remarkable plants, which he saw for the first time, and in studying the
zoology and mineralogy of the region. He had been delighted and
puzzled, over and over again, but all of these problems combined failed
to astonish him as did the action of Ziffak and the story he told.

Ashman was the most hopeful of all. He had been with the native more
than the rest, and was given the opportunity to study him closely. He
was confident that he read the workings of his mind aright, and that
the fellow would be their friend to the end.

Jared Long, the New Englander, was equally positive in the other
direction. He maintained that since the leopard cannot change his
spots, no savage showing such relentless hatred of the white race as
did Ziffak, could be transformed into a friend for no other reason than
that he had been made a prisoner.

He insisted further that, if he succeeded in helping them through to
the Murhapa village, it would be only with the purpose of securing a
more complete revenge. Such a powerful tribe as his need feel no
misgiving in allowing a small party to enter their town; for, after
that was done, they would be so completely at their mercy that there
was no possibility of any explorer ever living to tell the tale.

He especially dwelt upon the undoubted influence possessed by Waggaman
and Burkhardt. They would never consent to yield the influence they
had held so long, nor could they be induced to share it with any of
their own countrymen.

Grimcke and Ashman laughed at his fears, but strive as much as they
chose, they could not help being affected more or less by his
pessimistic views.

However, the brave fellow declared that he would accompany them on the
hazardous journey, and stick by them to the end. If they could not
survive, they would fall together.

By this time the night was far along. A careful scrutiny of the other
bank failed to reveal anything of their enemies, though all believed
there were plenty of them along the shore.

Ashman proposed, that now, since they were entirely screened by th