In Search of an Unknown Race — page 63: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

VAN, 55 of the power of firearms, how would it do to experiment a little ? Taking a handful of the large cartridges, he replen- ished his own fire and glanced out between the logs. The four separate fires at the four corners of his prison house were burning brightly, and near each was a tall guard with shield and spear. About the fire stood little knots of natives, occasionally exchanging a few words regarding their new prisoner—at least, so Van imagined. The young Indian stood motionless by the door, lean- ing on his spear—his dark eyes curiously regarding Van, whose every movement could be seen by the light of the blaze within. Now Van had noticed upon entering that the rude substitute for a door was only fastened by a twisted withe. The Mumurus probably considered that the prisoners safety was guaranteed by the presence and watchfulness of five armed guards, rather than by any restraint of bolts and bars, “Tf I could only get him away from in front of the door just fora moment!” Van thought. Moving across the enclosure, he leaned up against the logs, and, reaching one arm through as far as possible, tossed the handful of cartridges directly into the heart of the blazing bonfire, not five feet distant from the corner of the building. As he had anticipated, the act was seen by his sharp- eyed guardians. With those immediately surrounding the fire, the young Indian bent eagerly over it to see what possible charm the white prisoner might be at- tempting. | They discovered almost immediately. As Van dis- EoOmicboo 5) (e(0) im