"for it's safe to conclude he was never handled with such vigor before."

The levity which both felt over their triumphant routing of their
assailants was checked by the sight of the stark, lifeless form on the
ground, only a few paces distant.

They had the best plea in the world for shooting the fierce savage, but
the consciousness that the necessity existed and that the deed had been
done, rendered them serious and thoughtful.

There was reason for believing the other natives would watch them from
the forest, and the one who retained his javelin was likely to seek the
chance to use it again. He certainly had strong temptation to do so,
with the prospect of little risk to himself.

Besides, as the explorers followed the rapids, their uproar increased
to that extent that the savages could move freely without danger of any
noise being overheard.

The most prudent thing to do seemed for the friends to walk so briskly
as to disconcert any plan their enemies might have formed. This was
quite easy, because of the open space, already mentioned, as lining
both banks of the Xingu.

Fortunately the distance to camp was not far, and, with the hurried
pace adopted by the Professor and Long, it ought not to occupy more
than a few minutes, provided no interruption occurred. Strange
emotions tortured both, as they kept their eyes fixed on the dark wood
at their side, from which they expected the sweep of the fearful
javelin, whose touch was death.