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Updated: May 20, 2025
He expected every minute to come in contact with the lifeless figure of his helper, whom he supposed to have been pierced by the poisoned weapon of the Murhapa; but when he had passed around the apartment and across it several times, until assured that not a foot of square space had been neglected he awoke to the fact that Bippo was not there.
Without pausing to debate the matter or ask for permission, he slipped out the rear door and moved rapidly off in a crouching posture. He must have been seen by numbers of the Murhapas, but was mistaken for one of their own number. The error cannot be regarded as remarkable, when it is recalled that Bippo bore a strong resemblance to the savages around them.
All ate heartily, using their fingers for knives and forks, while the cool water could not have been more refreshing. Bippo and Pedros had been sleeping and resting so long that they desired to get out doors. Since they were not likely to be recognized in the night, if they used caution, Grimcke and Long told them to go, but to take care they did not lose themselves.
The surprising conclusion followed that the fellow after all had effected his escape from the building, though how it was done puzzled the two whom he left behind. Bippo had got away by yielding to one of those sudden inspirations which sometimes come to a person. Hearing the explorers speaking about a stealthy withdrawal by the rear, he decided to anticipate them.
While doing so, and while Grimcke and Long were doubtless wondering what had got into the heads of the others, the young man wrought himself into a most uncomfortable condition of mind. He questioned Bippo more particularly as to the appearance and actions of the strangers.
A few days carried them beyond danger, and in good time the Amazon was reached. Bippo and Pedros were left at Marcapa, at which port the explorers secured passage for home, where they arrived in safety. And in that land, so strange to the beauteous Ariel, daughter of Haffgo, king of the Murhapas, we bid good-by to our friends.
"Stay here," exclaimed the New Englander, fearing that a diversion was on foot; "and I'll attend to him!" He was back in the apartment in an instant. The light on the hearth having been extinguished, the gloom in this portion of the building was impenetrable, but a fearful struggle of some kind was going on. Some animal or person had got within and grappled Bippo who was fighting like a tiger.
The clear moonlight enabled the explorers to identify them as Bippo and Pedros, the former being the one already in the water. "Let them go," whispered the Professor, "they may as well do it for us." Pedros was but a few strokes behind his friend, and the two were seen to clamber over the side of the craft at the moment it came opposite where the delighted white men were standing.
Bippo, who was by far the brightest of the three, had shown a wonderful readiness in picking up a knowledge of the English tongue. He was so much superior in that respect to his companions, that they invariably left to him the duty of conversing with their masters. "Dey're ober dere," he replied, pointing to the other shore. "Who's over there?"
When Bippo timidly asked his masters whether they meant to return or attempt to go any farther up the Xingu, they were assured that no such thought was in the mind of either of the explorers. They would only be thankful if they could get back to the Amazon without ever meeting another Murhapa.
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