Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/213

 we found the Caripunas had silently invaded our resting-place and in a ghostly circle were politely waiting for us to awaken.

"‘We've arrived,' I gasped, hysterically, clambering out of my poncho and scanning the stalwart forms with regret.

"‘Then we'll trade,' declared Tib, stepping jauntily forward.

"But as he extended the palm of friendship and cocked his ears to hear some jolly Massoit cough out a welcome, his arms were seized and deftly whipped behind his back. Then did Wogo, the Bug, pour forth his freshly laundered soul in a pæan of farewell. It annoyed me to note the absolute conviction in his voice as he revealed in promises to his departed sires that he soon would be with them on the golden shore and was bringing along two white señors.

"‘Don't resist, Billy,' cried Tib. 'It's just their way, I guess.'

"‘I won't hurt 'em,' I agreed, as they slipped a rawhide about my slender wrists.

"The haft of a spear, pressed firmly across my lips, discouraged further speech until we had stumbled a mile through calisayas and giant cedars and halted in what I took to be a permanent village. Here we were regaled on some pira-rucu, a huge fish disgusting to my pampered palate whether eaten