Concluding that he had undertaken a futile4 task, he hastily climbed to his feet to await the return of Long who, he was satisfied, would attempt only a brief pursuit.
Remembering the javelin5 which had whizzed so near his crown, he cast about for a moment and picked it up from the earth where it lay but a few feet distant. As he balanced it in his hand, he observed that it was about six feet in length, was made entirely6 of wood, which was heavy and as hard and smooth as polished ebony.
The light of the moon was like that of the day itself. It would have been easy to read ordinary print by it. He had no trouble, therefore, in closely examining the novel implement7 of war. As he suspected, the point was made of stone or flint, ground almost to needle-like sharpness and securely fastened in place by a fine tendon wound around the portion of the stick that held the harder part. This was covered with a gummy substance extending to the end.
This he was satisfied was among the most virulent8 of substances known to toxicology. A puncture9 of the skin was sure to be fatal unless some remedy, of whose existence he held no suspicion, was instantly obtainable.
He had set down his rifle white examining the weapon, but quickly caught it up again, still retaining the javelin in his right band. He had been startled by the sound of the terrific threshing among the trees on his right.
He supposed that his friend was coming back, but, glancing toward the point where he expected him to appear, he was amazed to see the third native, who whisked off before Long could draw a bead10 on him, step from the wood not twenty paces away. His back was toward the Professor, and, strangely enough, he did not observe the white man—an oversight11 that never could have occurred, but for the tumult12 in the undergrowth which held his attention.
Grimcke had hardly caught sight of him, when the other native came flying to view, so astonishing his waiting comrade that he stood a moment irresolute13 after the white pursuer burst into sight.
Brief as was this pause, it gave the Professor time for some exceedingly fine work. He uttered a shout which caused the native to turn his affrighted gaze behind him, just in time to observe the white man with javelin raised and apparently14 in the very act of launching it at him.
The savage15 knew what a prick16 from that frightful17 thing meant, and with a howling shriek18 he ducked his head as though he had caught its whizz through the air, and shot among the trees with as much celerity as his companion had shown in coming from them.
Neither of the explorers wished to slay19 the natives, no matter how savage, unless compelled to do so in actual self-defence. Long had recovered from his first burst of fury, and, though the Professor could have sunk the javelin in the naked body, he withheld20 it, not unwilling21 that his assailant, now that he had started to flee, should escape.
The one who had so foolishly come back to the river side was left in the worst possible situation, for both his enemies stood between him and the sheltering forest and he was defenceless. He was at their mercy, and such people as those natives neither gave nor expected quarter, when engaged in their savage warfare22.
The fellow acted like a bewildered animal. The white strangers were standing23 a few paces apart, so as to form the two angles of a triangle, while he made the third. The nearest point to the forest way midway between Grimcke and Long, as was apparent to the savage, who was fairly cornered.
Had the Xingu behind him been as placid24 as farther above or below the rapids, he would not have hesitated to plunge25 into its waters, trusting to his skill in swimming; but, to dive into the raging current would have been as certain destruction as for a man to undertake to swim unaided through the whirlpool below Niagara.
Grimcke and Long were not unwilling to torment26 the fellow, because of his cowardly attempt a few minutes before, though, as has been stated, neither intended to do him any special harm.
The affrighted native crouched27 down, as though seeking to draw himself into such a narrow compass that the terrible javelin could not reach him. Despite the proof he had seen of the power of the civilized28 weapons, he held his own in greater dread29.
Grimcke raised the spear, as if poising30 it aloft to hurl31 at the savage. The latter uttered a howl of terror, and, with his head still low, attempted to dart32 between the strangers. Naturally he shied as far away as possible from the Professor, and thereby33 brought himself almost close enough to touch Jared.
"That's what I want," muttered the latter, hurriedly concentrating his strength in his good right leg, and delivering the most powerful kick at his command.
It was well aimed and most effectively landed. The Professor was sure he heard the "dull thud," and always insisted that the recipient34 was lifted clear of the ground and propelled among the trees with an impetus35 sufficient to break his neck.
"There!" exclaimed the New Englander, looking around, "I guess I'm through!"
"I am sure that last fellow hopes so," said the Professor with a laugh, "for it's safe to conclude he was never handled with such vigor36 before."
The levity37 which both felt over their triumphant38 routing of their assailants was checked by the sight of the stark39, lifeless form on the ground, only a few paces distant.
They had the best plea in the world for shooting the fierce savage, but the consciousness that the necessity existed and that the deed had been done, rendered them serious and thoughtful.
There was reason for believing the other natives would watch them from the forest, and the one who retained his javelin was likely to seek the chance to use it again. He certainly had strong temptation to do so, with the prospect40 of little risk to himself.
Besides, as the explorers followed the rapids, their uproar41 increased to that extent that the savages42 could move freely without danger of any noise being overheard.
The most prudent43 thing to do seemed for the friends to walk so briskly as to disconcert any plan their enemies might have formed. This was quite easy, because of the open space, already mentioned, as lining44 both banks of the Xingu.
Fortunately the distance to camp was not far, and, with the hurried pace adopted by the Professor and Long, it ought not to occupy more than a few minutes, provided no interruption occurred. Strange emotions tortured both, as they kept their eyes fixed45 on the dark wood at their side, from which they expected the sweep of the fearful javelin, whose touch was death.
The keenest hearing could not detect the faint whizz, while the roar of the rapids was in their ears, and they had to depend, therefore, on their eyes, which promised to be of little more service.
But the entire distance was almost passed, and the hearts of the two were beating high with increasing hope, when Long, with a gasp46 of terror, grasped the arm of the Professor with incredible force, and jerking him backward, pointed47 with his extended finger to the camp in front of them.
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1
ardor
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| n.热情，狂热 | |
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skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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obstruction
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| n.阻塞，堵塞；障碍物 | |
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futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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javelin
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| n.标枪，投枪 | |
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6
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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7
implement
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| n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行 | |
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virulent
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| adj.有毒的，有恶意的，充满敌意的 | |
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puncture
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| n.刺孔，穿孔；v.刺穿，刺破 | |
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bead
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| n.念珠；(pl.)珠子项链；水珠 | |
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oversight
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| n.勘漏，失察，疏忽 | |
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tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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irresolute
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| adj.无决断的，优柔寡断的，踌躇不定的 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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prick
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| v.刺伤，刺痛，刺孔；n.刺伤，刺痛 | |
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frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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slay
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| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
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withheld
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| withhold过去式及过去分词 | |
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unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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placid
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| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
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plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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30
poising
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| 使平衡( poise的现在分词 )； 保持（某种姿势）； 抓紧； 使稳定 | |
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hurl
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| vt.猛投，力掷，声叫骂 | |
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dart
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| v.猛冲，投掷；n.飞镖，猛冲 | |
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thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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recipient
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| a.接受的,感受性强的 n.接受者,感受者,容器 | |
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impetus
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| n.推动，促进，刺激；推动力 | |
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vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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levity
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| n.轻率，轻浮，不稳定，多变 | |
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triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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stark
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| adj.荒凉的；严酷的；完全的；adv.完全地 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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42
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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43
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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44
lining
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| n.衬里，衬料 | |
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45
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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46
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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47
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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