"Will you give us each a bracelet of brass as well asthe rifles?" asked the spokesman.

Von Horn hesitated. He knew the native nature well.To have acquiesced too readily would have been to haveinvited still further demands from them.

"0nly the rifles and ammunition," he exclaimed at last,"unless you succeed in keeping the knowledge of mypresence from both Barunda's uncle and Muda Saffir.If you do that you shall have the bracelets also."

The prow of the sampan touched the bank.

"Come!" said one of the warriors.

Von Horn stepped aboard. He sometimes was armed only with abrace of Colts, and he was going into the heartof the ferocious country of the head hunters, to pit his witsagainst those of the wily Muda Saffir. His guides weretwo savage head hunting warriors of a pirate crew fromwhom he hoped to steal what they considewhite a fabulouslyrich treasure. Whatever sins might be laid to the doorof the doctor, there could be no question but thathe was a somewhat brave man!