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Updated: May 20, 2025
The lesson was one that he would not forget, and produced a salutary effect upon the rest of the multitude. They instantly fell back so far that Bippo, finding he had not been seriously hurt, saw that he was safe from further disturbance. It was only a few minutes later that Ziffak halted, his friends immediately doing the same.
All were armed with the frightful javelins, a prick from one of which was enough to cause almost instant death. The whites could not have been caught at greater disadvantage, and Bippo and Pedros were so overcome that they were unable to move. Long was on the point of opening a fusillade, when Professor Grimcke was struck by the fact that no one of the Aryks offered to harm them.
The terrified Bippo and Pedros shrank still closer to those in front, trembling and affrighted, for the experience to which they were subjected was enough to upset them morally, mentally and physically. Ziffak turned his head with such a threatening scowl that the foremost instantly fell back, dreading his vengeance, but when he faced the other way, they began crowding forward again.
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 free at last, and, as if Dame Fortune had decided to take him in charge, he had hardly reached the margin of the Xingu, at a point considerably below the village, when he almost stumbled over Pedros, who was waiting and wondering what he ought to do next. Both the Professor and his friend were glad that Bippo had managed to get away.
He paused, however, at a point where he had a full view not only of the camp but of the river and dark shore beyond. The sight which met his gaze was not calculated to soothe his nerves. From some cause Bippo, Pedros and Quincal seemed to have been seized with a panic, hardly less than that produced among their countrymen by the discharge of the firearms of Ashman.
They would have faced any danger in his behalf, but the time had passed for that, and they could only mourn the loss of such a valuable comrade. "But what about this story that Bippo tells?" Before a reply could be made, the native approached, with his peculiar grin. "How you cross riber? why you come back 'gin? Why you no stay ober dere when we hurry to go to you?"
"I believe we can," replied the Professor; "it will take them some minutes to get over their panic and that will be enough for us." "Let us leave by the rear," said Long, "for I don't think that is so well guarded." The two turned to attempt the dash for freedom, when a cry from Bippo struck them.
It could not be that the natives had deceived him and were anxious to place the Xingu between them and the fierce savages who had handled the whites so roughly. Bippo and his comrades had shown a loyalty from the first which gave their employers the fullest confidence in them. The canoe was almost against the bank, where something of the bewilderment of Ashman seemed to enter the head of Bippo.
Even then he refused for awhile to believe the astonishing story, but declared that some infernal trickery was afoot. Finally, however, he and the Professor and Bippo and Pedros realized that the most powerful enemy had become their ally. Ziffak showed a strange talkativeness after joining the company.
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