rother down the bank, and, had the archer but
comprehended his danger he, too, would have escaped.

The affray roused the wrath of both Long and Grimcke. They had offered
the hand of friendship, only to be answered with an attempt upon their
lives. One of their assailants had eluded them, and the other would
have been an assailant had the opportunity been given.

"Let's shoot him too!"

He alluded to the man who hurled the javelin and who, so far as they
could see, was left without any weapon with which to defend himself.
In their natural excitement over their victory, the friends forgot
themselves for the moment. Heedless of consequences, they dashed among
the trees, in pursuit of the savage who had flung his spear with
well-nigh fatal effect.

The undergrowth was frightfully tangled, and, as the first plunge, the
Professor went forward on his hands and knees. The wonder was how Long
kept his feet; but it will be remembered that he was much more
attenuated than his companion, and seemed to have picked up a skill
elsewhere which now stood him well.

The moon was shining and despite the dense vegetation around him,
enough rays found their way to the ground to give him a partial view
for few paces in front. He had not gone far when he caught a glimpse
of the dusky figure slipping through the undergrowth ahead, and at no
great distance.

Strange as it may seem, the impetuosity of the American caused him to
gain upon the terrified native, who, having flung his poisoned weapon,
was without the means of defending himself. It was not in the nature
of things, however, that Long should overtake the fugitive, who was
more accustomed to making his way through such obstructions. The first
burst of pursuit caused the white man to believe he would win in the
strange race, but the next minute he saw he was losing ground.

Determined that the wretch should not escape, he checked his pursuit
for an instant, and, bringing his Winchester to his shoulder, let fly.

But brief as was his halt, it give the savage time to make one terrific
bound which shut him almost from sight, and rendered the hasty aim of
Long so faulty that his intended victim was not so much as scratched.

Had the savage dashed deeper into the forest, he would have passed
beyond all peril at this moment, but he was seeking to do that which
Long did not discover until after discharging his gun. He headed
toward the river, where he was first seen. It must