Page:Daany Beédxe.djvu/278

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still there waiting. In the early evening the storm became stronger and a miracle determined the outcome. As if by mandate, powerful lightning began to strike around the rocks illuminating the storm darkness and the baffled and frightened animals around the rocks. Each thunder was followed by the terrified scream of the dozens of animals that ran in all directions. Awakened Jaguar gave the order to run in column, not knowing how Night Eagle was at the front leading the explorers in the midst of the darkness.

Three moons after their departure from the city, the expedition was a disaster. In addition to dangers experienced, two men were ill with high temperatures, another had been bitten by a poisonous snake and even when the poison had been extracted and he was provided a miracle plant juice, his body was badly weakened. Group morale was very low mainly because they knew they had made very little progress and it appeared the jungle would swallow them alive anytime soon.

Awakened Jaguar consulted alone with Night Eagle on their desperate situation. So far they had not lost any life and the chances of the explorers team, was decreasing day by day. Night Eagle coincided with Awakened Jaguar the best was to return. With the firmness of a leader, Awakened Jaguar informed his decision to the team, whom with the destroyed moral accepted to resign and return.

They had been walking for three days with tiring and slow progress, when the pointer detected a group of hunters approaching. They were fifteen armed men who followed the steps of a wounded animal. The groups noticed one another. Awakened Jaguar gave the order not to shoot and stay hidden in the jungle. The hunters slowly surrounded the explorers. These were moments of great tension. The hunters were preparing to attack those who had invaded their territory. Night Eagle realized the fight would be inevitable. They all prepared their weapons. The bows

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