ke the bursting of a thunderbolt from
the clear summer sky.

They did not scatter and flee, for they had not been directed to do so,
but skurried several rods back among the trees, so as to leave the way
open for the explorers to pass around the rapids to the calmer waters
above.

Ziffak did not remove his eyes from the natives, until he saw that his
commands were not only obeyed, but that it was understood by them that
the white men were not to be molested.

This extraordinary person had hastened to the other shore, in
accordance with his pledge, only to learn from a couple of Aryks whom
he met that the main body of warriors had again crossed the Xingu above
the rapids, and were gathered in the wood waiting for the whites to
walk into the trap set for them.

Had our friends remained where he left them, no danger would have been
encountered, but, as we have shown, they moved up stream and came
within a hair's-breadth of being wiped from the face of the earth
before their powerful ally could interfere.

The breaking morning gave Ziffak his first knowledge of the mistake
they had made, and, leaping into his canoe, he drove it across the
stream with resistless speed, reaching the spot in the nick of time,
and barely doing that, since he was forced to raise his voice while yet
on the river, in order to hold the battle in suspense.

Having satisfied himself that everything was adjusted, Ziffak now
turned around, and, without the least appearance of agitation on his
swarthy countenance, signified that the path was open for them to
continue their journey.

Reaching into the canoe, Ashman seized Bippo by the nape of the neck
and hoisted him out on land. He did the same with Pedros, both of them
howling in the extremity of mortal terror. Tearing the blankets from
their bodies, he shouted for them to give their help in carrying the
canoe and luggage around the rapids.

It was some minutes before they could comprehend in their blind way the
situation. Finally, when they saw that their deaths were postponed,
they lent their aid as eagerly as a couple of obedient dogs.

The sturdy whites were equally helpful, and the boat was quickly raised
aloft and so adjusted that its well apportioned weight bore lightly
upon the shoulders of all.

The sidelong glances which Bippo and Pedros cast at the Aryks as they
moved up the bank, brought a smile to the whites who witnessed them.
The poor fellows were ready to let go and drop