"Who are coming?" asked John.
"The natives."
"Lie down!" he commanded. "No one must fire until I give the command. Oto, go to Muro at once, and tell him to come back immediately."
In the distance to the west could be seen little squads of natives coming directly toward them. In the different groups were fully fifteen men, all armed with spears and bows and arrows.
"Uraso is driving them this way; I am sure of that," remarked John, as he watched their maneuvers.
"What makes you think so?" asked George.
"They are simply retreating, thinking, in all probability that they have met our entire band. They do not know we are here."
"Brave Uraso! I hope he will not get into danger," said George. "There they are now; see them on the ridge to—"
A shot from the direction of Muro now awoke them to action. The moment that sound reached the oncoming savages, they halted, and huddled together, evidently in confusion at the meaning of the new alarm.