His heart thrilled at the thought that this formidable antagonist3 had been so suddenly transformed into a friend; and yet he could not entirely4 free himself from a certain misgiving5, as the two walked side by side along the Xingu. Recalling the dexterity6 of the native—all the more wonderful because of his bulk—he reflected, that it was the easiest thing in the world for him to turn like a flash and pierce him with his poisoned javelin7 before the slightest defence could be made.
It was this thought which led him stealthily to place his hand on the butt8 of the revolver at his hip9, prepared to whip it out and fire as quickly as he knew how. At the same time he edged away from him, so as to maintain considerable space between their bodies.
Ziffak suddenly changed his javelin from his right to his left hand, the movement sending a shock of fear through the American, who the next moment blushed from shame, for it was manifest that the shrewd savage10 suspected the timidity of his new friend, and shifted the frightful11 weapon to the side furthest from him to relieve any misgiving on his part.
The conversation continued as they walked, the native showing a surprising willingness to answer all questions.
Ashman gathered from what was told him that the Murhapas were a tribe numbering fully12 a thousand men, women and children; that they occupied a village or town on the right bank of the Xingu about twenty miles above the rapids, where the incidents already recorded occurred, and that they were far superior in intelligence, physical development and prowess to any other tribes in the Matto Grosso.
It was about five years before that the two white men, Waggaman and Burkhardt, suddenly made their appearance at the towns. The fact that they did not come up the Xingu, but from the forest to the south, strengthened Ashman's suspicion that they were criminals who had managed to escape from the Brazilian diamond mines, though it was a mystery how they had secured the two rifles which they brought with them. They had no revolvers, and their guns were not of the repeating pattern. When their ammunition13 gave out, one of them made a journey of several days' duration into the wilderness14, invariably bringing back a supply which lasted a long time.
Such weapons were entirely unknown to the Murhapas, who had never heard of anything of the kind. The exploits of the owners caused the natives to look upon them with awe15. They were soon established on the best of terms with their new associates, who allowed them to do as they chose in everything.
It is not to be supposed that Ashman gathered all the information given in this chapter, during his brief walk with Ziffak. Indeed, that which has already been stated was obtained only in part during the memorable16 interview; but it may be as well to add other facts which afterwards came to the knowledge of him and the explorers, since it is necessary to know them in order to understand the strange series of incidents and adventures in which they became speedily involved.
The Murhapa tribe was ruled by King Haffgo, whose complexion17 was almost as fair as that of a European. He had fifty wives, but only one child, whose mother was dead. This child was a daughter, Ariel, of surpassing beauty and loveliness, the pride of her grim father and adored by all his subjects. From Waggaman and Burkhardt she had acquired a knowledge of the English tongue, which Ziffak declared was superior to his own. Both of these men had sought in turn to win her as his wife, and the king was not unwilling18, because of the awe in which he held them; but Ariel would not agree to mate herself with either, though she once intimated that when she became older she might listen favorably to the suit of Waggaman, whose appearance and manner were less repulsive19 than those of his comrade.
The first duty the guests took upon themselves was to impress King Haffgo and his subjects that all white men except themselves were their deadliest enemies, and, if any of them were allowed to visit the village, they would assuredly bring others who would cause the utter destruction of the inhabitants.
Three years before, a party of six white explorers ascended20 the Xingu, and suddenly presented themselves to the Murhapas, without previous announcement or knowledge. Despite their professions of friendship, and a most valiant21 defence, they were set upon and slain22 the same hour they appeared among the fierce people.
Ariel, the daughter of the king, was but a child, at that time, just entering her teens. She did not know of the cruel massacre23 until it was over, when she surprised all by expressing her sorrow and declaring that a great wrong had been done the strangers. From that time forward, those who studied her closely saw that she had formed a strong distrust, if not dislike, of Waggaman and Burkhardt, though, seeing the high favor in which they were held in court, she sought to veil her true feelings.
Ziffak was a younger brother of the king, and bore the title of head-chieftain. He was next in authority and power, and, because of his immense size and prowess, led all expeditions against their enemies, none of whom was held in fear. Occasionally, he headed a hundred warriors24, who made excursions through the neighboring wilderness and in pure wantoness spread destruction and death on every hand.
The Aryks, after receiving several such terrible visits, sued for terms and willingly agreed to consider themselves slaves of the Murhapas. Their location was favorable to detect the advance of any of the dreaded25 white men up the Xingu, and they agreed in consideration of being left alone, to check any such approach, a fact which will explain the fierceness and determination with which they contested the ascent26 of the river by our friends.
If they allowed the whites to pass above the rapids, they knew that the mighty27 Ziffak would sweep down upon them and visit frightful punishment upon their heads.
Instead of bringing a body of his own warriors, Ziffak, as has been intimated in another place, came alone down one side of the Xingu, with Waggaman and Burkhardt on the other, the calculation being to rouse enough Aryks to destroy the invaders28, as they were regarded. Enough has been told to show how thoroughly29 the head-chieftain acquitted30 himself of this duty.
Several of the powerful reasons for the jealousy31 of Waggaman and Burkhardt of their race, was apparent in the fact that there was an astonishing abundance of diamonds and gold among the Murhapas. Although none was seen on Ziffak, it was only because he was on the war-path. He had enough at home to furnish a prince's ransom32, while the possessions of the beautiful princess Ariel were worth a kingdom.
These were obtained from some place among the mountains to the westward33 of the town. In the same mysterious region was a peak, whose interior was a mass of fire that had burned from a date too remote to be known even in the legends of the wild people. There was a lake also, whose waters were so clear that a boat floating over them seemed suspended in mid2 air.
This wonderful section was claimed by King Haffgo, who would permit none but his subjects and the two white men to visit it. A party of Aryks; presuming upon the friendly relations just established with their masters, ventured to make their way to the enchanted34 place without permission or knowledge of the Murhapas.
Before they could get away, they were discovered by some of the lookouts35, and every one slain with dreadful torture. The lesson was not lost upon their surviving friends, who never again ventured to repeat the experiment.
The Murhapas were the first to use the spears with the deadly points. They not only taught the Aryks how to prepare the poison from the venom36 of several species of serpents and noxious37 vegetables, but imparted to them the remedy,—a decoction of such marvellous power, that a single swallow would instantly neutralize38 the effect of any wound received from the dreaded missiles.
Among the tribes named, there was no knowledge of the use of iron though the ore is abundant in that region. The only objects composed of the metal were the firearms of the white men, and the natives could not comprehend how they were fashioned from the substance which underwent such a change from its native state.
Every implement39 used by this people is made from stone, which however seems almost the equal of iron and steel. Spear points, axes and cutting tools are shaped with remarkably40 keen edges, with which trees are readily felled, and cut into any form desired.
Shells are used in the formation of knives, while the teeth of certain fish, taken from the Xingu, enables them to construct still more delicate implements41 for cutting and carving42.
Indian corn, cotton and tobacco are raised from a soil whose fertility cannot be surpassed, though strangely enough the tribes have no knowledge of the banana, sugar cane43 and rice, which belong so essentially44 to the torrid zones. Dogs and fowls45 are entirely unknown, and there is no conception of a God, though all have a firm belief that they will live again after death. A myth has existed among them from time immemorial of the creation of the world, which, according to their views, consists of the regions around the headwaters of the Xingu and Tapajos.
Ziffak was a favorite of the beauteous Ariel, and it is not improbable that, knowing as he did, her lamentation46 over the cruel death of the white men, who appeared at her home three years before, he was more willing than would otherwise have been the case to stay his hand, after doing such yeoman service against the new-comers.
Where these tribes came from is a question yet unsolved by anthropologists, though the theory has many supporters that most of the isolated47 peoples are allied48 to the original stock of the once mighty Caribs, who journeyed from the south to the sea.
Conscious of their own might, and knowing the prodigious49 mineral wealth at their command, the Murhapas are naturally jealous of their neighbors, and fight fiercely to resist anything that bears a resemblance to an encroachment50 upon their rights.
It will be understood that Waggaman and Burkhardt met with little difficulty in rousing their enmity particularly against the Caucasian race, since the members of that, of all others, were the ones most to be dreaded.
The foregoing, much of which is in the way of anticipation51, we have deemed best to incorporate in this place.
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1
infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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mid
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| adj.中央的，中间的 | |
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antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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misgiving
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| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕 | |
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dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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javelin
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| n.标枪，投枪 | |
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butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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hip
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| n.臀部，髋；屋脊 | |
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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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frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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repulsive
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| adj.排斥的，使人反感的 | |
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ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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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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dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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acquitted
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| 宣判…无罪( acquit的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（自己）作出某种表现 | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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ransom
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| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
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westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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enchanted
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| adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
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lookouts
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| n.寻找（ 某人/某物）( lookout的名词复数 )；是某人（自己）的问题；警戒；瞭望台 | |
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venom
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| n.毒液，恶毒，痛恨 | |
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noxious
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| adj.有害的，有毒的；使道德败坏的，讨厌的 | |
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neutralize
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| v.使失效、抵消，使中和 | |
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implement
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| n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行 | |
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remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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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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carving
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| n.雕刻品，雕花 | |
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cane
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| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
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essentially
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| adv.本质上，实质上，基本上 | |
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45
fowls
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| 鸟( fowl的名词复数 )； 禽肉； 既不是这； 非驴非马 | |
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lamentation
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| n.悲叹，哀悼 | |
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isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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allied
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| adj.协约国的；同盟国的 | |
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prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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encroachment
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| n.侵入，蚕食 | |
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51
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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