"We can easily spare them," responded Harry, "and you had better select them at once."
Two intelligent warriors, one a Saboro, well known to Stut, and an Osaga, were delegated to[p. 161] run the risk, and they started to the north along the river.
The night was intensely dark, but notwithstanding this Muro pushed forward to the south, and the utmost speed, under those conditions, was not more than a mile or mile and a half an hour.
It was known that reinforcements were on the way from the south. They might meet such a force, and the utmost caution was necessary. It was fortunate that the two messengers from Stut heard Muro's warriors, and for the purpose of determining who they were, approached closely, and made themselves known.
This intelligence was sufficient for Muro to act. The scouts guided them back, and as it was beginning to grow light the cracks of several guns were sufficient to indicate the direction of the wagons, and the fact that the attack had begun.
Muro was a tactician. The scouts stated the situation, with the impassible ravine to the north, and the attackers to the south of their position. His force was on the eastern side of the river, and moving back a sufficient distance to prevent knowledge of his presence from reaching the Illyas, went to the south, and crossed the river in their rear.
The attack of the savages was in force against the wagon, and the spirited cracks of the guns showed Muro that he must make haste if he would have a part in it.
Harry and George were seasoned fighters, but in this case they were entirely in the dark as to the numbers which opposed them. This lack of[p. 162] knowledge was the only thing which gave them any concern. They knew that sooner or later John would rescue them in force. The problem was to resist and gain time.
The Illyas had heretofore proven themselves wonderful fighters and remarkably tenacious. This attack was a more determined one than they had ever witnessed. There was no cessation in their forward advance, and they were most skillful in seeking cover.
The boys looked at each other, but neither spoke his fears, if he had any; to say the least, it was the most businesslike of anything which they had witnessed.