When the Arrow Flies

emerged from the jungle and stood at the river’s edge scrutinizing the intruders. Harold and Harry waved their arms in gestures of friendliness. At this, Indian warriors emerged from the jungle on both sides of the river. They seemed to be everywhere. They were brawny men. Their faces and sinewy bodies were vividly painted red with urucum dye. Jet black hair hanging down their backs matched the black wary eyes. There seemed to be about sixty of them. They spoke in a jerky, nervous manner and were unmistakably intent on plunder. Like daytime specters in vivid red they surrounded the men, who were less than half as many in number. The warriors gestured simultaneously that the men were to stack their firearms so they could trade. At last the Brazilians stacked most of the guns, and a man with a revolver stood guard. Realizing the precariousness of the situation, the men tried to trade some of the articles, although they could little afford losing them. While some of the savages made a weak cover of trading, the others were seizing and carrying off all they could get their hands on. One Indian took his own cord of charms and tied it around Harry’s neck, for which Harry traded his jackknife. Another came with a bunch of dried corn, for which he gave his handkerchief. The canoes were beached at the water’s edge, and for every

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