horrid vision of sleep.

But he dare not wait. These wretches had come from the direction of
the Xingu, and he was apprehensive of trouble at the camp, where the
three native attendants had been left. His services might be needed at
that very moment.

He did not run, but advanced with the stealth of an American Indian
stealing upon an enemy. It seemed to him his senses were strung to a
higher pitch than ever before, for he had not walked far, when he
became aware that some one was ahead of him, in the path and travelling
in the same direction.

As yet he could catch no glimpse of the stranger, but there could be no
mistake about the stealthy tread. He was sure, too, that sooner or
later the broken rays of moonlight would give him the sight for which
he was waiting.

"Yonder is a spot where he will betray himself," he added a moment
later, as he observed the faint light ahead.

Instead of following on, Fred paused and laying the rifle of his dead
friend on the ground he knelt and sighted his own piece as best he
could in the darkness. Where the hunter is placed in such a situation
he instinctively _feels_ how to aim his weapon.

He was not kept long waiting. A dark form became dimly outlined in the
faint moonlight and an instant later the infuriated Ashman fired.

The rasping screech which followed was enough to curdle one's blood,