Presently a desperate splash
was heard near the stern of the boat, and the sinuous
form of the first savage was raised above the gunwale,
his grim face looking devilish in its war-paint, and his
fierce eyes gleaming and rolling like fire-balls in their
sockets. Scarcely was he seen, however, when he had again
disappeared. A blow from the cutlass that had destroyed
his companion descended like lightning on his naked and
hairless head; and, in the agony of death, he might be
seen grinding his teeth against the knife which the
instinctive ferocity of his nature forbade his
relinquishing. A yell of fury burst from the savages on
the bar, and presently a shower of bullets ran whistling
through the air. Several were heard striking the rude
rampart in the stem; but, although the boat was scarcely
out of pistol-shot, the thickness of the wood prevented
all injury to those within. Another fierce yell followed
this volley; and then nearly a score of warriors, giving
their guns in charge to their companions, plunged furiously
into the water; and, with an air of the most infuriated
determination, leaped rather than swam along its surface.
Pages:
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501