This child was a daughter, Ariel, of surpassing beauty and loveliness, the pride of her grim father and adored by all his subjects.

From Waggaman and Burkhardt she had acquired a knowledge of the English tongue, which Ziffak declared was superior to his own.
Both of these men had sought in turn to win her as his wife, and the king was not unwilling, because of the awe in which he held them; but Ariel would not agree to mate herself with either, though she once intimated that when she became older she might listen favorably to the suit of Waggaman, whose appearance and manner were less repulsive than those of his comrade.
The first duty the guests took upon themselves was to impress King Haffgo and his subjects that all white men except themselves were their deadliest enemies, and, if any of them were allowed to visit the village, they would assuredly bring others who would cause the utter destruction of the inhabitants.
Three years before, a party of six white explorers ascended the Xingu, and suddenly presented themselves to the Murhapas, without previous announcement or knowledge.

Despite their professions of friendship, and a most valiant defence, they were set upon and slain the same hour they appeared among the fierce people.
Ariel, the daughter of the king, was but a child, at that time, just entering her teens.

She did not know of the cruel massacre until it was over, when she surprised all by expressing her sorrow and declaring that a great wrong had been done the strangers.

From that time forward, those who studied her closely saw that she had formed a strong distrust, if not dislike, of Waggaman and Burkhardt, though, seeing the high favor in which they were held in court, she sought to veil her true feelings.
Ziffak was a younger brother of the king, and bore the title of head-chieftain.