tried to explain with gestures. But the Indians continued their approach. At this, Rodriguez gestured and commanded them to put their arrows on the ground. It was a crucial moment. Silently they started to lay down the arrows. Then an unfortunate thing happened. One of the men down in one of the canoes lifted his rifle and shot. Why? No one knew! At this, all the men began to shoot. No one was hit, and in a moment the savages picked up their arrows and disappeared. Rodriguez was furious and upbraided the men for increasing the danger of their position. The men were about to be persuaded to enter the canoes when they saw two Indians across the river. Two arrows flashed and fell in the midst of the men. All ran for the forest except Rodriguez, Rachel, and the missionaries. Another arrow hit the ground just beside Tom, and another embedded itself an inch deep in the canoe beside Harold. The next arrow flashed from the side of the jungle where they were. The Indians were afraid to come too close, and the men were too fearful to enter the canoes and be a better target. After almost four hours, the men boarded the canoes, seized
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