The circle of savages closed in upon the explorers.
The faces of the blacks increased in savagery of expression.
They spoke a language which neither Max nor Ibrahim understood.
“We are in for it,” said Max.
“We shall die,” asserted Ibrahim, solemnly. “Oh, why did I ever come?”
“To have some fun. Wait, and we will see what they mean to do.”
The savages got so close that our heroes were compelled at times to dodge the fans of arrows, which threatened to mar the beauty of their faces, they were so near.
“It is time to stop this,” said Max, drawing his old-fashioned revolver—a weapon which must have been one of the first ever made, so primitive was its construction. It had been given to Max by Sherif el Habib, who believed it to be the most wonderful weapon ever invented.
Max happened to catch sight of a monkey jumping from tree to tree, so he put back his revolver and raised his rifle, a more modern and more reliable weapon.
The savages stood still.