"No, I hardly think so," replied Mr. Thorne. "The avenger never attacks a victim openly--the very nature of his vengeance precludes that. His only weapon is a short club or his bare hands and he'd have no chance against a well-armed man and still less against two. No, he invariably sneaks upon his victim while the latter sleeps or is off his guard."
"But are you sure that fellow was killed by a Kenaima?" asked Mr. Henderson. "Isn't it possible they had a quarrel with the Indians and that he was struck down and his comrade taken prisoner or carried off wounded?"
The explorer shook his head. "There are no hostile Indians in Guiana," he averred. "They are all peaceable and would never dream of quarreling with white men, no matter how great the provocation. Besides, there's not the least doubt that he was the victim of Kenaima--the wooden spear through his body proves that--and there was no sign of a struggle. No, that man killed an Indian and thereby sealed his own doom. It's quite possible that his companion was innocent and was not included in the Kenaima and hence was unharmed, but if so, where can he be?"
"I'll bet old Red-whiskers deserted his bunkie and skipped off," declared Rawlins. "Then he did up a Buck and got what was coming to him. Let's beat it for the plane--maybe the Grand Panjandrum's still over there waiting for his mate to come back."
"By Jove! that's a possible solution to the puzzle," exclaimed Mr. Pauling, "and even if he did not desert he may have gone off on a hunt and while away killed an Indian. Yes, I think we'll find the answer at the plane--if we can find it."
"It's a plausible theory," admitted Mr. Henderson. "But there's a flaw in it. How did the victim of the Kenaima cross this river? Mr. Thorne says Maipurisi is to the east and as far as we know the fellows had no boat."
"Hmm, that's true," mused Mr. Pauling. "Looks as if we're up against another mystery."
"Perhaps they carried a folding boat or found an Indian canoe," suggested Tom.
"Yes, that's possible," agreed his father, "but whatever the explanation our best plan is to go to the plane at once. How far are we from Maipurisi, Thorne?"
"A good long day's paddle," replied the explorer. "Taguma Creek flows from the lake and empties into this river about three miles above here. We might make the lake by to-morrow noon."