CHAPTER VI. 
THROUGH THE ENEMY's LINES. 
^ N catching sight of the shad- 
owy line of enemies, stretched 
across the river in the direct path 
of the swiftly moving raft, Mr. 
Button's first impulse had been 
to seize his rifle, which was fully 
charged with reserve cartridges, 
and was close at hand. The time 
was so short that he had barely 
an opportunity to cock the piece before the voyagers were 
in the very midst of the band of Indians, who crowded 
about the raft, and, half wading, half floating down- 
stream with the clumsy raft, began urging it toward the 
right bank of the river. 
Before any of them could climb upon the raft, Mr. 
Button discharged his rifle into the air ; at exactly the 
same moment Carlo gave a fierce yelp, and Teddy, who 
for the first time realized the condition of affairs, uttered 
an unearthly howl of dismay. 
At the report of the rifle, the natives fell back in con- 
86 
