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Updated: May 11, 2025
Had Ashman fled through the forest, the fact would have been discovered at daybreak, if not before, and such a vigorous pursuit would have been pressed as to render escape out of the question. There was a possibility of outwitting Haffgo by the flight to the lake, though it was remote enough to cause the giant warrior to shudder when he reflected upon it.
"The scoundrel!" exclaimed Ashman, who was just too late to anticipate their friend. "It is Ziffak who has saved us!" gasped Ariel, shrinking against the side of her lover. The herculean chieftain towered aloft in more imposing proportions than ever as he strode toward the startled couple.
"I have surrendered," said the savage, in a low, coarse voice; "and Ziffak does not lie." Nevertheless, while the words were passing his lips, he unclosed his right hand and allowed the implement to fall to the ground. "Is your weapon poisoned?" asked Ashman, still mystified by the extraordinary situation and hardly knowing what to say.
The Murhapa village wore its usual appearance, so in contrast with what met the eyes of our friends when they first saw it. The Professor and the New Englander were waiting near the door for Ashman to join them. As he came out, the former shook his head, with a laugh, as an intimation that the young man in the ardor of his interest had made a mistake.
If any further proof were needed of the delicacy and danger of the situation of the white men, it came the next minute, when, as they were in the act of stepping back into the trail, the sailor caught the arm of his friend and checked him. No need of speaking, for Ashman had detected the peril at the same instant.
This fact led Ashman to turn to his love and suggest that they should leave the spot. She nodded her head in acquiescence, and, still clasping hands, they began picking their way down among the bowlders to the spot where they had left their canoe a short time before.
The Professor nodded his head, laughed and said he was glad to be told that; for, while he wished to believe their good friend, when he was in earnest, he found it hard to swallow those marvellous narratives which exceeded anything that had ever come to their ears. Long and Ashman also expressed great relief at the naïve confession of the head chieftain.
There the rocks were piled in irregular masses, and, knowing they could go no further, Ashman resolved that the last stand should be made there. As he hurried onward, another shout fell upon his ear. It was a different voice, and he recognized it as Waggaman's, who was leading the advance.
However, when I left I promised and I mean to keep my vow that if ever I am unfortunate enough to find my vertebræ creaking like "an old hinge," I will come to Mr. Ashman and have it greased. The remark in his book as to the success of medicine depending on the qualities of him who administered it was, we may recollect, confirmed at the 1874 meeting of the British Association in Belfast.
"Your man in the wood was pierced by one of our spears; ask him." "Such a warrior as Ziffak does not need to tip his weapons with poison," said Ashman, glancing significantly at the carcass of the puma. "It is cowardly to use such means against your enemies." The savage shook his head and an ugly flash appeared in his eyes.
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