The trees having been swept from the margin of the Xingu, an open space was before the explorers throughout the entire distance.
Despite the glowing expectations of the party, there was enough in the prospect before them to cause serious thought.

Long and Ashman consulted continually and saw that it would not do to felicitate themselves with the belief that all danger was at an end.
Two facts must be well weighed.

Waggaman and Burkhardt were inimical to them.

Whether they could be won over even to neutrality could not be determined until they were seen.

For the present they must be classed as dangerous enemies.
Was it unreasonable to suspect that their influence with the terrible King Haffgo would prove superior to that of Ziffak?
If so, what hope was there of the escape of the explorers after once intrusting themselves within the power of the tyrant?
But the immediate question which faced our friends was, whether it would do for them to reveal themselves to the Murhapas without again seeing their native friend.