"No, that would only make them mad," replied the young engineer. Nevertheless, he pointed the rifle at the head of the nearest native.
The effect was magical, for the savage immediately threw up both hands and began to yell like a madman.
He had once seen a gun go off and a goat shot thereby, and he imagined the "white demon" was going to slay him likewise.
The other savages also came to a halt, and all lowered their arrows.
Then Bob lowered the rifle.
A long pause on both sides followed.
The natives did not know what to do, and the youths were in a similar predicament.
One of the savages began to jabber away in his native tongue, but neither Dave nor Bob understood a word of what was said.
"This is all Greek to me!" shouted Dave. "Talk English."
"Englees!" repeated the savage, and shook his head. He understood that single word, but no more.