with a mixture of fear and hope. Immediately opposite on a small point of level ground, and on the same side of the river where it had taken a sudden bend, were encamped a number of natives, elaborately painted and armed (a sign of hostility), which plainly denoted that the pursuers were not a moment too soon, as there was a visible commotion, indicating that some extraordinary act was about to take place.
They had formed themselves into a semi-circle, within which Charlie and Quandak beheld the two females they were searching for tied with their backs to two trees, and with their arms bound. Quandak told Charlie that this was the manner in which these savages put their captives to death when hard pressed, which fact Charlie had the most positive proof of on seeing two of the savages stop forth with their spears poised, and each placing himself in front of his intended victim.
Charlie, whose blood curdled in his veins, proposed to charge the savages at once, but Quandak held him back, saying, that before they could get round the bend of the river, the work of death would be complete, and proposed instead that as their rifles would kill at that distance, and as no time was to be lost, that each should take a true aim at his adversary both firing at the same time, when they saw the executioners shake their spears in the air.
In conformity with this proposition, the riflemen elevated their rifles, and with a steadiness and truer aim than ever they practised before, at the expected signal both fired.
The sharp ring of the rifles, the death shriek of the savages as they rolled on the ground, while the spears which were intended for their victims stuck quivering in the trees above their heads, caused such a panic among the savages that some plunged into the river, others ran for shelter among the scrub, and all deserting the scene and their victims, whom they intended to sacrifice.
With bounding steps the fortunate marksmen flew round the bend of the stream, cut the currijong which bound the captives, who fell into their arms.
