He called upon them by all sacred names to help him, and he also called down blessings upon them as the big boat bore steadily toward the land where two score fierce savages lay among the bushes, ready to slay the moment they came within reach.
Paul was dazed at first by what he saw and heard.

He could not believe that it was Braxton Wyatt who was doing this terrible and treacherous thing.

He rubbed away what he thought might be a deceptive film before his eyes, but it was still Braxton Wyatt.

It was the face of the youth whom he had known so long, and it was his voice that begged and blessed.
And there, too, came the boat, not thirty yards from the land now! In two more minutes it would be at the bank, and its decks were crowded now with men, women, and children, regarding with curiosity and pity alike this lone wanderer in the wilderness whom they had found in such a terrible case.

Paul heard around him a rustling like that of coiled snakes, the slight movement of the savages preparing to spring.