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"Same ones same ones; don't know how cross riber, but allee same do so," repeated Bippo, with a grin. By this time the swiftly moving canoe was well on the way to the camp which it had left so abruptly, and, a minute later, Ashman sprang out and grasped the hand of each of his friends in turn.
The cause was apparent: they had reached the dwelling place of Haffgo king of the Murhapas. It was a memorable interview which the explorers held with Haffgo, king of the mighty Murhapas. Since Bippo and Pedros were servants, they were not admitted to an audience with the potentate. Ziffak conducted the others into the hut adjoining the palace.
There must have been that in the appearance and action of Bippo and Pedros which excited the latent mirth of the Murhapas, for say what we may, the trait exists in a greater or less degree in all human beings. One of them reached forward with his javelin and gave Bippo a sharp prick. With a howl, he leaped several feet in air and yelled that he was killed.
The din of the rapids was so loud that they could not have heard each other, except by shouting at the top of their voices, for which there was no call, since even Bippo and Pedros were now able to read the full meaning of the extraordinary incidents of the night. Ashman looked around and ascertained that Ziffak was not bearing them company.
The Professor was about to step into the opening to learn what it meant, when Bippo burst into the apartment, the picture of fright and terror. "Going to kill us!" was his alarming exclamation; "make me run almost kill me!" "Where's Pedros?" asked Long. "He scared run into woods won't come back run all way to Am'zon!"
He realized too vividly that the two defenders never would have been in this fearful situation but for the machinations of those two men. It seemed to him that Bippo was curiously quiet. He had not spoken, nor, so far as he could judge, moved since his own return from his brief conference with the Professor. He pronounced his name in a low voice, but there was no reply.
"Bippo, you are mistaken," replied the Professor, with all the earnestness at his command. "We went up this side of the stream, and have not been on the other side since dark. When we came back and saw that you were not in the camp, we thought you had all been killed." The native grinned more than ever, and shook his head. "De Purfes'r funny man he make laugh."
Their silence added impressiveness to the singular scene and prevented their movements being observed except by Bippo, who was so terrified that he could only tremble and point at them. They were partly hidden by the shadow which put out a short distance from the fringe of the wood, but there could be no doubt of their hostile intentions.
The older females had not only rings hanging from their ears, but still more valuable ornaments depended from their noses. It would have enriched an army to loot the Murhapa village. Each of the whites carried his Winchester, and Bippo and Pedros did not forget their almost harmless spears; but the rifle of Johnston was left behind with the valuable property.
To the amazement of the Professor, three natives were seen standing on the very spot where they themselves had stood a brief while before, evidently scrutinizing the white strangers with profound wonder and curiosity. They were dressed similarly to Bippo, Pedros and Quincal that is, with only a piece of cloth around the loins but they displayed a marked contrast in other respects.
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