ve stopped, while the
cat-like steps were more audible than before, though the wonder to the
watchers was that the parties continued invisible.

The eyes of both remained fixed on the faintly illuminated space, where
they expected to catch sight of them, but the straining gaze failed to
detect the most shadowy form.

Ashman was just beginning to suspect some strange mistake had been
made, when he suddenly saw the form of a tall savage with bushy head
and a javelin in his hand, glide like a shadow into the darkness in
front. A moment after, a second followed, then a third, fourth and
fifth, the last carrying a long-bow, and all plainly seen by the whites
at the side of the trail.

A few minutes later, Fred once more took the advance, reflecting that
they were as likely to meet more of the natives as to have them
overtake them.

The mystery was where they had come from in the first place. They
could not have entered the trail at the camp where Ashman and Johnston
had started on their little exploring enterprise. It looked as though
they were hiding among the trees at the time the canoe approached the
land, and may have followed the explorers soon after they started along
the path with the purpose of cutting off their retreat. If such should
prove to be the case, Fred felt that not only he and his companion were
in danger, but all the rest were liable to be attacked by these
natives, who, as has been stated, were the most athletic that had been
encountered since leaving the Amazon.

"Fred," whispered the sailor a little later, "they've turned back and
are following us again."

"Are you sure of it?"

"There's no mistake about it."

Fred was debating whether they should not turn again from the path, but
he reflected that the natives having discovered the trick played on
them, would be likely to defeat such a piece of strategy.

Before he could decide upon the best course, Johnston whispered:

"Run! it's the only chance we've got!"

CHAPTER VII

DESPERATE WORK.

It seemed to be the only course left. Whether it was or not, it was
too late to try anything else. That the natives had discovered the
explorers was proven by several low, tremulous whistles which at that
instant sounded on the night.

It was risky running along the dark trail, even though illuminated here
and there by the rays of the moon: but, feeling that the situation was
desperate, Ashman broke into a swift lope, with Johnston at hi