Fred touched his friend and whispered to him. Immediately, they began
stealing from the dangerous spot.




CHAPTER VI.

ALONG THE FOREST PATH.

If any further proof were needed of the delicacy and danger of the
situation of the white men, it came the next minute, when, as they were
in the act of stepping back into the trail, the sailor caught the arm
of his friend and checked him.

No need of speaking, for Ashman had detected the peril at the same
instant.

Two natives were stealing like phantoms along the path, from the
direction of the river and going toward the village.

Had they been ten seconds later, the foremost would have collided with
the young explorer.

The latter held his breath, and placed his hand on his revolver,
believing a fight was inevitable.

So it would have been, had not the attention of the savages been
absorbed by the scene in the square, of which they caught sight a pace
or two before coming opposite the watchers.