int
glimpse which he caught was all he needed.

Thus the strange procession passed up the western bank of the calmly
flowing Xingu. Fred Ashman moving slowly and lost in reverie,
Burkhardt prowling like a wild beast behind him, with Ziffak clinging
to the heels of the wretch as if he were his very shadow.

The moon, which gave but faint light at the beginning, increased in
power as the minutes passed. Ziffak fell back, so that if Burkhardt
should look around, he would not recognize though he might see him.

But the ruffian did not turn his head: he was too intent on the fearful
task before him.

Suddenly he stopped. Instantly Ziffak crouched down into the smallest
possible space and clutched his javelin. The increasing moonlight
showed that he had passed beyond the upper end of the village and was
watching the lovers on the fringe of the forest beyond.

A movement on the part of Burkhardt, as if he were making preparation
to fire his rifle, caused Ziffak to move swiftly and silently forward
until he was within twenty paces. Then he paused, for he was close
enough.

The change of position on the part of the pursuer enabled him to catch
the outlines of the lovers, so absorbed in each other's presence that
they forgot to keep within the sheltering shadow of the trees.

Burkhardt could ask for no better opportunity than that which was now
before him. He knew the inextinguishable hatred of King Haffgo for
this white man, and no greater favor could be done the ruler than to
slay him.

Sinking on one knee, he carefully brought his gun to a level. The
gleam of the moonlight on the barrel insured unerring aim.

But a moment before it was perfected, Ashman stepped forward and seized
the hand of his adored one. This caused such a change of the relative
situation of the two that the weapon could not be fired without
endangering the life of the maiden.

That would never do, and waiting a moment in the hope that another
charge would take place, Burkhardt began stealthily moving to the right
to secure the advantage. A few steps up the slope were all that was
required, when he again knelt on one knee and pointed his rifle at the
unsuspicious American.

It was but an instant before that Ariel caught sight of the crouching
figure and was transfixed with terror. The moonlight enabled her to
identify the person, who was aiming his gun either at her or her
companion.

Before she could speak, and at the moment Ashma