Fortunately, the missile had struck the upper part of the canoe, through which it tore a jagged hole several inches wide, and a short distance above the water. The injury could be easily repaired, and at present required no attention.
The paddles were again called into play, and the prow2 of the craft gently touched shore.
Having reached the right bank, the explorers had something to think of beside the savages3 whom they hoped were left behind for good. Two white men were known to be in the neighborhood, and there was warrant for believing they were as hostile as the natives from whom our friends had had such a narrow escape. With their superior intelligence, there was more to be feared from them than from the brave but ignorant savages; but, at the same time, it was to be hoped they might be conciliated, and that, if not, they would fight without the use of the fearful implements4 used by the savages, who held human life in such light esteem5.
On the other hand, the explorers were too sensible to believe they had seen the last of the warriors6 that had proven their daring and ferocity.
It was decided7 to leave all the luggage in the canoe which was held so lightly against the bank that it could be shoved into the river at an instant's need. No fire was to be kindled8, although the entire party left the boat and advanced to the edge of the wood, beneath whose shelter they seated themselves on the ground.
The night which they had hoped would afford them much needed rest, promised to be most exhausting in its requirements.
It had been the custom of the explorers, when camping on their way to the Matto Grosso, to have at all times a couple of their number on guard, the night being divided into two watches. For the first five hundred miles, after leaving the Amazon, this precaution was mainly to provide against the wild animals, that were always prowling around camp, and often showed a curiosity to make the acquaintance of the sleepers10, and especially of their supplies.
The white men held an earnest consultation11, while occupied in eating their evening meal or lunch. Had they deemed it prudent12 to kindle9 a fire, they would have prepared some fragrant13 coffee, of which they carried an abundance, though plenty of the little berries were encountered growing wild along the Xingu.
But that much-relished refreshment14 was now dispensed15 with, and they ate their fruit and a slight quantity of dried meat in darkness. The fish in the river was an unfailing source of supply, but that species of food also required fire in its preparation, and was therefore out of the question for the time.
Their latitude16 was about fifteen degrees south, the temperature being so mild that the whites could have got along very well with as scanty17 raiment as their native helpers, though, as has been intimated, they clung to a civilized18 costume. They wore broad Panama hats, flannel19 shirts, with no coats or vests, and strong duck trousers thrust into their bootlegs. Thus attired20, they were probably as comfortable as they could be.
A belt around the waist contained a supply of cartridges21 for their Winchesters and revolvers, besides affording a resting place for the knives, the indispensible Smith & Wesson being carried in the hip22 pocket, after the usual fashion.
In view of the unusual peril23 threatening the party, extra precautions were taken against surprise. It was arranged that Quincal and Jared Long should mount guard until midnight, when they would give way to Pedros and the professor. This would leave Bippo and Ashman free from any duty, their turn to come the following night.
Ashman, however, insisted on taking a part which was somewhat original in its nature. He was confident that if the savages found it impracticable to cross the Xingu in sight of the explorers, they would pass down stream and endeavor to do so, at a point where they could not be observed by those in camp.
He meant, therefore, to station himself so as to be able to detect such a movement. With his repeating rifle at command, he was sanguine24 of defeating the attempt, even though made by a score of enemies.
But for the peculiar25 contour of the banks on both sides, the whites could have done much better by simply paddling the canoe a quarter of a mile down the river and then hiding under the overhanging vegetation; but it has been explained that the Xingu, when its volume was swelled26 by rain, had swept the shores with such violence that they were bare for a dozen feet from the water.
Such a movement, therefore, would have to be made in the full light of the moon, and would, therefore, be plainly perceptible from the opposite bank—a fact which rendered the precaution of no avail.
All conceded the wisdom of Ashman's plan. The Professor urged him in case he found himself growing drowsy27, to return at once to camp and allow one of his friends to take his place. The young man gave his promise, and, bidding them good-by, he began stealing down the stream, keeping as closely within the wall of shadow as he could, and advancing with as much care as though he saw the fierce savages across the Xingu watching for just such a movement.
The peculiar nature of the ground rendered progress easy, and he paused after going about a furlong, believing he had advanced sufficiently28 far to accomplish what he wished.
The essential work of Ashman was to cover one-half the distance between him and the camp, the further half being under the surveillance of the guards on duty there. Since he could also overlook the stream equally far in the opposite direction, it will be seen that the savages would have to make their crossing nearly a fourth of a mile below the camp to escape observation.
All this was on the theory that the lone29 sentinel was really able to scan the space with sufficient clearness to detect anything of the nature apprehended30, and that the savages themselves had no suspicion of any such extra care on the part of their enemies.
The astonishing brilliancy of the moonlight will be appreciated, when it is stated that Ashman felt not the least doubt of his ability to meet every requirement of his self-assumed duty.
Well aware, from previous experience, of the insidious31 approach of slumber32 to the most vigilant33 sentinel, when unable to keep in motion, he avoided sitting down, even though he never felt more wakeful. So long as he stood erect34, there was no danger of his lapsing35 into unconsciousness.
Another indispensable requirement was that he should not be tempted36 into venturing from the shadow where he stood, for such an act was liable to bring about discovery and defeat the very object that had brought him thither37.
The moon was so nearly in the zenith that the shade from the edge of the forest did not project halfway38 across the open space to which we have alluded39. It was in this partial gloom that the young man took his station, placing himself as far back as he could without standing40 among the trees themselves.
He was in the position of one who feels that the lives of his dearest friends are placed in his hands. To him, nothing was more evident than that the revengeful savages would attempt to cross the stream and make another stealthy attack upon the camp. They surely must feel enough dread41 of the terrible weapons that had wrought42 such havoc43, not to defy them again, but would make their next demonstration44 in the nature of a flank movement.
One fact caused Ashman some surprise; he had seen nothing of any canoes or boats, which were plentiful45 along the shores of the Xingu below. It was not to be supposed that such a powerful and brave tribe as those on the other side, would live in a country abounding46 in streams, without finding need of such craft.
But because he had not seen them, was no proof that they were not in existence. They may have been drawn47 up among the trees, their precise location known only to their owners.
The prospect48 of holding his place for several hours, with his senses at a high tension, was not an inviting49 one, for he did not expect the savages to make their attempt before midnight; all such people aiming to surprise their enemies when wrapped in profound slumber.
But Ashman had not been at his station a half hour, when, to his amazement50, he discovered that something was going on across the river directly opposite.
Despite the strong moonlight, he was unable to guess for a long time what it meant. He first heard a splash, as though a body had fallen or been thrown into the water, and then, for several minutes, everything was still as before.
It was a source of annoyance51 to him that at this moment, when he hoped to keep his attention fixed52 on matters on the other bank, he should be disturbed by a sound among the trees directly behind him. He, turned sharply and looked around, for the noise which had caught his attention was a footfall beyond all question.
But, if the youth was to be taken between two fires, he was ready. The stranger nearest him could have no thought of his proximity53, or he would have taken more care to suppress any noise. Since he was so much nearer than him on the other side. Ashman was forced to give his whole attention for the moment to the former's approach.
His suspense54 was brief, for while he stood with rifle ready, a large puma55, or American lion, emerged from a point a couple of rods away, walked in his stealthy fashion to the edge of the river and began lapping the water.
Ashman wished nothing with him in view of more important business elsewhere, and he, therefore, stepped softly back in the wood, before the beast finished drinking.
The puma quickly slaked56 his thirst, and then, raising his head, looked about him with an inquiring stare as though he scented57 something suspicious. He gazed toward the other shore and finally swung himself lightly around, and trotted58 back to the forest.
Just before entering, he abruptly59 stopped and looked toward the spot where Ashman was concealed60. He offered a tempting61 shot, but it hardly need be said that the young man restrained himself, and the next minute the beast vanished.
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1
javelin
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| n.标枪，投枪 | |
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prow
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| n.(飞机)机头，船头 | |
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savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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implements
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| n.工具( implement的名词复数 )；家具；手段；[法律]履行（契约等）v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 )；执行；贯彻；使生效 | |
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5
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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kindle
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| v.点燃，着火 | |
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sleepers
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| n.卧铺（通常以复数形式出现）；卧车( sleeper的名词复数 )；轨枕；睡觉（呈某种状态）的人；小耳环 | |
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consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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12
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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fragrant
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| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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15
dispensed
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| v.分配( dispense的过去式和过去分词 )；施与；配（药） | |
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latitude
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| n.纬度，行动或言论的自由(范围)，(pl.)地区 | |
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scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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flannel
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| n.法兰绒；法兰绒衣服 | |
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attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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21
cartridges
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| 子弹( cartridge的名词复数 )； （打印机的）墨盒； 录音带盒； （唱机的）唱头 | |
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hip
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| n.臀部，髋；屋脊 | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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sanguine
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| adj.充满希望的，乐观的，血红色的 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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lone
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| adj.孤寂的，单独的；唯一的 | |
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apprehended
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| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 )； 理解 | |
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insidious
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| adj.阴险的，隐匿的，暗中为害的，（疾病）不知不觉之间加剧 | |
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32
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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lapsing
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| v.退步( lapse的现在分词 )；陷入；倒退；丧失 | |
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tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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halfway
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| adj.中途的，不彻底的，部分的；adv.半路地，在中途，在半途 | |
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alluded
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| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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40
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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41
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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42
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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43
havoc
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| n.大破坏，浩劫，大混乱，大杂乱 | |
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44
demonstration
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| n.表明，示范，论证，示威 | |
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45
plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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46
abounding
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| adj.丰富的，大量的v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的现在分词 ) | |
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47
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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48
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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49
inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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50
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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51
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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52
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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53
proximity
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| n.接近，邻近 | |
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54
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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55
puma
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| 美洲豹 | |
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56
slaked
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| v.满足( slake的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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57
scented
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| adj.有香味的；洒香水的；有气味的v.嗅到(scent的过去分词) | |
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58
trotted
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| 小跑，急走( trot的过去分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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60
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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