Just before leaving, Bob and Joe got out their cameras and took motion pictures of the gruesome feast, and in the end they were almost convinced that nothing of this kind had ever been shown on the silver screen.
With the aid of flashlights, whose beams, by the way, were concealed from the savages, the explorers had gathered their belongings together and were now ready to leave for the boats. Of course it would be perilous traveling at night through the jungle, but the chance had to be taken.
At that moment an Indian entered their hut, glanced about, and then started to call to the others.
Displaying a quickness remarkable for his size and weight, Mr. Holton launched himself full force at the fellow, sending him to the ground unconscious.
“Now let’s get away—quick!” he said. “There’s no telling when the whole tribe will be in here after us.”
As quietly as possible, the explorers and their Indian crew dashed away down the trail for the stream, never looking back, but fearing that they would hear the screams of the cannibals at any moment.
The flashlights rendered traveling easy, and as they had been over the trail many times, they reached the boats in record time.
Their possessions were piled inside. Then they climbed hastily in and were paddled swiftly away.
It was not until they had reached the main stream that they felt safe. Then they turned the boats downstream on the journey back to the coast.
“It isn’t wise to tax good fortune too much,” said Mr. Lewis, as the narrow stream faded in the distance. “We came up here for two definite purposes, and we’ve accomplished them both. First, Professor Bigelow has made a rather extensive study of little-known Indians, and second, Mr. Holton and I have collected hundreds of specimens for the museum. You boys have met with success in taking moving pictures, also. Now that our work is finished, we’d better get to the Purús at once.”