The Wonder Island Boys: The Tribesmen

The rush with the newly loaded guns was accompanied by shouts on the part of the boys, who were instructed to do so by the Professor. "Don't go far beyond the chief," was his order; "we need him, and you must not venture into an ambush."

The boys did not dare to go far beyond the wounded man, and the Professor, with the aid of John, had now come up to him, and together forced him to accompany him back to the wagon. He was wounded in both legs, the shot having passed through the kneecap of one leg and through the tendon of the other, thus completely putting him out of action.

When the boys returned from the charge they assisted in conveying him to the wagon, and the Professor at once applied bandages to his limbs. This was getting an opportunity, at close range, to view one of their enemies.

The shot proved to be a glancing one, so that the bullet was still in the tendon of the right leg. When the Professor applied the bandages the savage was surprised at the proceeding. He evidently expected different treatment, and glanced at his captors in amazement. During the first few minutes of these interesting details, the boys had entirely forgotten the savages, and the Professor called out a warning not to rest too securely.

When the natives saw that the pursuit was not kept up they halted and slowly and cautiously, returned. It was evident that they were preparing for another fight. The wagon top was removed at one side, and the chief hoisted up and seated in plain view of his fellows, while the Professor directed the boys how to secure him in that position.

The entire band now appeared at the edge of the wood, not two hundred feet away, evidently with the view to another attack. All the guns had now been reloaded, and with the chief with them they had no fear of an attack with arrows.

The Professor placed himself before the chief, and by motions endeavored to inform the chief that if his men made any attack on them he would forfeit his life. The chief understood, and in a peculiar guttural tongue informed his men of the danger he was in.

Without further incident they disappeared, and now began the effort to instil and extract information. He was entirely naked except a distinctive headdress and a breech cloth, of very peculiar workmanship. The color of his skin was not black, like the negro, but rather copper-colored, like the Indian, thus confirming the impression which was first obtained the night before.

CHAPTER III

George and Harry were both in the picture, and were pointed out. Here was the very thing which was needed as a connecting link in their interview with the chief. With the picture before him the chief was requested to look at George and then at the picture, and so in the case of Harry. The chief saw, and recognized the similarity, and his eyes opened in astonishment. This was a most remarkable discovery.

When the Professor pointed to the others in the picture, and then to the chief, the latter seemed for the first time to comprehend, but he slowly shook his head and grunted, or made use of his own language to indicate that he had no knowledge of them. The boys were fairly wild with delight.

"Why not hunt the pockets of the other fellows?" shouted out Harry, as he scrambled over the tailboard. About a hundred and fifty feet beyond were the two who had fallen at the first fire, and they were searched, but nothing in any way connecting them with their companions was revealed, and later they went over the contents of the chief's pockets with greater care.

An American coin, a matchbox, and several other articles, which were apparently the relics of stickpins, were all that had any appreciable value. There was nothing on any of the articles which had a name or even the initials to give them a clue. As they were returning to the wagon Harry picked up a small silver match safe, and on this were the initials "J L V." "Who is J L V? Did you know of anyone by that name?"

"I don't remember anyone by that name. The name is not an unusual one to begin with a V."

The Professor did not recall anyone by that name. The box was handed around, and when John saw it, he started as though he had been struck. He reached for it and almost grasped it from the Professor's hand, and turned it over and over, and glanced at the initials, and then looked at the Professor, and then at the boys, and his eyes ceased their wanderings as he gazed at the chief.

Could it be possible that his name was John L. V.? Was that his match safe? What a wonderful possibility lay in these two happenings which came so close together!

The chief, too, looked at the match safe, and when the Professor pointed to John and then directed the captive's attention to the match safe, he did it with the view of ascertaining whether or not he had ever seen John. But to all these questionings the savage shook his head and grunted a plain negative.

A careful watch had been kept during the entire day, in the hope that the savages would reappear, and that the treatment of the chief would be such as to predispose him in their favor, and thus open the way to obtain such information as would be of service in aiding their companions.

As night approached preparations were made to guard against any night attack, and the prisoner was securely bound to prevent him from obtaining any of the weapons. One singular thing about all of the headgear and other articles of wear was the profusion of human hair, which was worked into many of the garments or formed a prominent decorative feature.

George was the first to notice this peculiarity. "Why is it that most savage tribes take human hair or scalp their victims?"

"The North American Indian was noted for the custom of taking the scalp of his enemies. It probably grew out of the desire to use the locks for the purpose of decorations, just as you see in the case before you. In olden times it was the custom of the vanquished to indicate submission by plucking out a handful of hair and offering it to the victim as a token of submission, but whether this grew out of the custom of scalping, or whether the latter was an outgrowth of the hair token, is not known."

"What interests me is, why they should take a portion of the skin if they wanted the hair simply for decoration?"

"Principally because that was the easiest way to keep the lock intact. Spencer, in his 'Evolution of Ceremonial Forms of Government,' relates some curious things growing out of this custom of taking tribute of hair. Thus, the habit of stroking the mustache, a custom prevalent among Spanish courtiers, arose from this habit. The stroking was done in the presence of ladies and superiors to indicate submission, or as an evidence of inferiority."

"Why is it that these savages pay more attention to their headgear than any other part of their clothing?"

"The savage regards the head as the most important part of the body. It is also the portion which is first seen by an enemy or recognized by a friend, hence he considers it a necessity to properly attire it for the purpose of inculcating fear in one, or admiration in the other. Vanity in the lower order of people leads them to excesses in the matter of dress or ornamentation, just the same as with many civilized people."

Long before morning dawned Angel grew restless, and could not be quieted by George. The latter believed that the savages had returned, if the actions of Angel were any indications; but as the sun came up and a careful scrutiny was made, nothing alarming was in sight.

An early breakfast was prepared, and the yaks yoked up, preliminary to a start for the south. With a chief in their hands they felt safer in their position than before, and were now in a condition to treat with the natives.

Hardly had the wagon started before Harry ran up in haste and excitedly whispered: "I see them coming; look to the south." Not far beyond was a mass of them coming up hurriedly, less than a half mile away, and a stealthy movement among the shrubbery in the immediate vicinity showed the presence of the advance scouts which Angel had undoubtedly scented an hour before.

The yaks were headed to the north, to give them ample opportunity to employ their weapons, and the chief was placed at the tailboard of the wagon, in full view of the pursuers, in the hope that his people would heed the warning given the day before. This seemed to have no effect in the warlike attitude of the attacking party.

"What I fear most is the possible attempt to surround us; to prevent that it is better to drive the team forward at a pretty rapid rate."

The yaks were urged along, and their motion considerably accelerated by the shrieks and howls of the demons, as they brandished their arrows and spears. Thus far not an arrow had been loosened, and the fire of the party in the wagon was reserved.

As the wagon surged forward the din increased, and soon a shower of arrows fell among them, none taking effect, because accurate aim was not possible while they were in motion. And now a concerted movement was apparent to surround the wagon. Over one hundred warriors were counted, and among them certain chiefs, recognized by their distinctive headdress.

"Go for the river, Harry," was the Professor's injunction.

The yaks were now beyond all control. Several of the arrows found their marks in the poor animals, and they were now vying with the foremost savages in making speed. Eventually the flanks of the attacking party outran the team, and the Professor made his way to the front, leaving George and John to take care of the rear.

When one of the prominent chiefs, who was leading the flanking party, presented a fair target, the Professor shot, and had the satisfaction of seeing him fall, and this temporarily checked the pursuit on that side. Grasping Harry's gun, he fired into the party on the opposite side, with good effect. The opening shot by the Professor was a signal for George and John.

And now began one of the most exciting running duels between the contending forces. The Professor knew that if the river could be reached they would have only one side to defend, but they were fully three miles or more from the crossing point of the stream, and to make matters worse, the team was beyond control, and was traveling to the northwest, whereas the direct course to the river was to the north or northeast.

There was no help for it. They must keep cool, and reserve their fire. After each shot the weapon of each would be reloaded, so that they always had a reserve force of guns. The arrows came spasmodically, and only a few of them from the trailing members of the band came near. The danger was from those who were attempting to encircle the wagon.

John was requested by sign to go to the forward end, and he promptly responded, and at every shot one of the pursuers went down. The main object was to keep them away from the team a sufficient distance to prevent injury to the yaks, and this required the greatest energy and watchfulness.

The attacking party began to have a wholesome fear of the guns, and kept at a distance, which prevented them from effectively using the arrows. This pace was kept up for two miles, and the effect was now apparent on the poor animals. Harry noticed it, but he kept up a brave front, and did his share in the firing.

But now there was increased activity in the ranks of the enemy. Most of the advance party had gathered at a clump of bush ahead, and partly to the right, and Harry made every effort to divert the team to the left; but they were blind to the urging, and too excited to heed the tugging of Harry.

The Professor divined the purpose of the remarkable quiet on the part of the savages, and called to George to come to the forward end in anticipation of a rush, en masse, from the shelter of the brush. By some instinct the yaks turned to the left before the danger point was reached, but the band nevertheless rushed forward in rage, and to the gratification of our party, they were so close together that aiming for the thick of the pursuers was sufficient to assure a mark for each shot.

They did not heed the fallen, or wait to care for them, but rushed on and endeavored to head off the yaks. Those in the wagon did not notice that before them, and close at hand, lay a broad river. Harry was the first to announce it with a shout, when he saw the party in the lead halt, and move to the rear.

"What stream is this?" exclaimed George, excitedly.

"This must be the West River."

"And see, there is another stream to the right."

What a lucky circumstance that the team had made its way to the forks of the two rivers, and that they were now protected by the streams on both flanks. It was also fortunate for them that the team was by this time so completely worn out, that as they were going out along the narrow tongue of land, and the danger from their foes was growing less, that Harry carefully crept along the wagon pole to the heads of the animals and by quieting words soon restored them, and succeeded in bringing them under control before the shores were reached.

Both animals had been wounded, and the first care of the Professor was to relieve them. One of the arrows still hung in the side of Jill, and when the wounds were dressed they did not seem any the worse for their experience, but they were very tired, and inflamed with the excitement.

The peninsula within which they lay was not more than fifty feet wide where the wagon was halted, and two hundred feet away its width was not over one hundred feet, so it will be seen they were in a position which could be easily defended. There was plenty of provision on hand, but the matter of ammunition was the immediate cause of alarm. At least thirty rounds had been fired in the running fight, and the first thing was to take stock of this necessary article.

Only eight rounds were left, for the guns, and twenty for the pistols, but as they were now safe from further attack this was not such a calamity as they expected.

Their captive was mute during the entire skirmish, and it was a remarkable exhibition of a savage trait for the pursuers to disregard the condition of one of their chiefs, by firing on him while in that condition. How many were killed or disabled they had no means of knowing, but many must have fallen, for when they lined up across the tongue of land behind them the number had considerably diminished.

"It seems as though they intend to make a siege of it," was Harry's comment, as he noticed them preparing a fire.

The wagon was drawn up so that its broadside was toward the enemy, and the boards which had been carried, let down so as to form a screen for the part below the body. This afforded a safe place for the yaks, if perchance during the night the attacking party should get near enough by stealth to use their arrows.

As night approached there was an evident movement on the part of the besiegers, which could not be understood, until it was noticed that they had taken a much closer position. This was considered most annoying, and with a view to giving them another lesson, a few shots were fired into the thickest groups. This was answered by howls of anger, as they rushed back beyond the line of their former camp fire.

"They will learn a good lesson if they keep after us much longer. They have a wholesome fear of us now, and if our ammunition holds out, we can wipe out the whole lot," was George's grim comment after the last incident.

"Fear is certainly a wonderful thing in this world," commented the Professor; "without it the entire history of the world would have to be changed and rewritten."

"Why do you think so?"

"If you stop to consider the element of fear you will see that it is at the bottom of almost every human aspiration. Why does a man work to lay up a store for a rainy day? Why does he toil day after day, and often lose his life in the effort? What prompts the mother to guard her infant in the face of every danger? You may say it is love, but behind that love is fear which prompts the action."

During the night, when John and Harry were on guard, John quietly stole from the wagon, and as stealthily as a savage moved out over the ground toward the Indian encampment. Heretofore there had been a protest against his doing so, but in this case Harry did not offer any objections.

On his return Harry noticed several objects which he carried back and was surprised to see they were the peculiar headdresses worn by the attacking party. It was a matter of wonder to him that John should make a prize of these things, but when the Professor was called, and he noticed them, his face lighted up, and nodding his head, said: "Well, this is a wonderful piece of information."

"What is it?"

"How stupid I have been, not to recognize that before."

"What is the matter with the headgears that John brought in?"

"Look at the topknot of the fellow we have in the wagon."

The moonlight was sufficiently clear to enable Harry to distinguish a pronounced difference.

"So another tribe that our captive does not belong to has been pursuing us?"

This news was of so much importance that Harry waked up George, although it was not his hour for the watch.

"What do you think, George, the fellow we have does not belong to the attacking party." George was too sleepy to comprehend the intelligence at once.

"How do you know it?"

"John has just brought in several of the headdresses, and they are entirely unlike the one the chief has."

The utter disregard of the savages for the chief was now explained.

When morning came the Professor turned to the boys, and remarked: "I have still further information to impart this morning."

"What is it?" was the query of both.

"Last night when I made an examination of the articles John brought in, I was under the impression that our pursuers were the other tribe that we first met north of the river. On more carefully looking them over I find that our late enemies are an entirely different tribe, so that we must count on three distinct people in our further explorations."

CHAPTER IV

"It is a term applied to one who has lost memory of his past, and in that condition has begun life anew and gone on for years in the new or dual existence, and perhaps ended his life in the dual personality. In many cases, however, returning consciousness, which came just as suddenly as they were deprived of it, caused them to forget all that had taken place during the first period."

"Under those conditions which is the real man or individual, the memory he first started out with or the memory he got afterwards?"

"You have asked a strong, leading question, George, and it may never be answered satisfactorily. Supposing a man should live a period of thirty years, and then have memory entirely obliterated, and should exist the residue of thirty years more as another person, there would be as much reason in calling one as normal as the other; but on the other hand, if, during the latter period, memory should return, and he would be rehabilitated into his former self, I am of the opinion that the first period would be the normal one."

"You seem to think that is what makes the person?"

"What else is there to man but memory? Is it the flesh, or blood and bones? Animals have those also. Memory is the greatest faculty in man, and it has been argued that what is called the divine spirit is merely the ability to recollect."

"But animals recollect, and would you call them divine for that reason?"

"No; for the reason that the lower orders of living creatures, as we term them, do not remember all things, but only certain features of events, and do not, except within a very limited range, reason from one phase to another. Man is called divine by his own kind because he has done things so far above what the brute has accomplished that it is regarded as a divine attribute. But he has done these things because he was endowed with a memory which enabled him to retain a consciousness of things, and to follow up the stored knowledge, or the accumulated essences of events which materialized in his remarkable works. Would it make any difference if the being which does these wonderful things should be in the form of a dog or a horse? If Red Angel could remember all that is told him, and could thereby do the next day what he had learned the day before, he would compare favorably with many human beings who possess our forms, and are called human beings."

No attack was made that night, and the next morning all were relieved at the rest afforded them. The savages had too much respect to venture near the camp, and a consultation was held as to a wise course to follow. The captive was of no use to them, but it would have been inhuman to turn him adrift, so that he should fall into the hands of the besieging party. Eventually he might be of service to them.

The main river to the west of them was fully two hundred feet broad, and the stream which bounded the other side of their position was, at its mouth, over a hundred and fifty feet in width, and it appeared to be entirely too deep to attempt fording.

No doubt the savages knew this, and counted on an easy capture when their provisions should give out. Thus the second day neared its close, and near evening there was an evident addition to the besieging force. A close watch was kept during the night, but no attempt made to force the situation.

This inaction became most monotonous. It was exceedingly trying, and the condition after the third day was now made plain; that they intended to starve them into submission.

During the early part of the evening, the Professor, realizing that something must be done, decided on a novel plan to relieve them of the savages. If, by any possibility, they could get some logs, sufficient to build a raft to help sustain the wagon, he believed the yaks would be able to swim the river and thus take the rafted wagon with them.

The boys, when the idea was broached, were heartily in favor of the scheme. Harry looked at John. "I only wish we could make our desires known to him."

The Professor took John by the hand, and led him to the brink of the river, and then pointing to the stream and to the wagon, and motioning in the direction across the river, he seemed to comprehend the meaning.

When they returned to the wagon, the Professor said to Harry: "Do you think you and John could cross the stream to the north of us, and find sufficient poles and driftwood for the purpose?"

Harry jumped at the opportunity. The moon was shining, but was occasionally hidden by clouds. Motioning to John they took their guns and bolos, and at the instance of the Professor, a quantity of rope. Some driftwood had caught at the shore to their left, and this was recovered, and from that a small raft was built sufficient to carry both across the narrowest stream.

To the north of them, less than a quarter of a mile away, was a quantity of small timber, and the Professor suggested that it would be advisable to go a considerable distance so the cutting of the logs would not be heard by their watchers.

They pushed the raft silently across the water, and drew it up for safety, and then stole down to the water's edge to make their way beyond the sight of the savages on the opposite side. All along the shore advantage was taken of every piece of wood available to serve as a floating structure, and when the wood was reached a few of convenient size were selected and cut up into lengths which would enable them to be readily rolled down to the river.

This work occupied them until midnight, and four large trees were thus prepared and lashed together, and one, wading in the water along the beach, using a pole, the other, with the rope, they held it within poling distance of the shore. In this manner the logs and detached pieces were floated down to the mouth of the stream, and having tied the small raft to the stern, it was finally poled across and landed at the water's edge not far from the wagon.

It was fortunate that the water was shallow and that the beach was shelving at this point, as it materially aided in effecting the launching. The moon went down before four o'clock that morning, and the yaks were yoked up and led to the river.

When Harry returned he was surprised at what he saw in their camp. The Professor and George had been at work also. Several uprights had been put up on the side of the wagon facing the besiegers, and over this had been stretched an old canvas and parts of such goods as could be dispensed with, so as to imitate the wagon, as nearly as possible.

Their ramie fiber top was of a light yellowish color, which looked bright in the moonlight. This had been removed and stored in the wagon, so that when the wagon was driven away the sham arrangement did not disclose the disappearance of the vehicle.

The wagon was driven into the water nearly hub deep, and two of the largest logs were then floated in under the axles, and the smaller ones lashed inside, so that the sustaining power of the combined logs, together with the wooden portion of the wagon and body, would be sufficient to sustain their weights.

Harry worked liked a hero, and took personal charge of the handling of the team, which was his especial delight. His presence near the yaks always gave them confidence, and on this occasion he took his position on the pole between them and near the yoke, and thus gently urged them forward.

For twenty-five feet or more the wheels kept on the ground, but soon thereafter the wheels were free, and they were delighted to find that the timbers did not permit the body to go down very low into the water, and this saved their bedding from becoming soaked.

The yaks performed their work nobly. Some months before they had forded the South River, at the time the flagpole for Observation Hill was cut, so they had ample reason to believe that they would be dependable under these circumstances. It did not require much urging on the part of Harry, and the opposite bank was soon reached, and the cattle scrambled up the beach, but were stopped before the wagon emerged from the water so the logs could be cut adrift.

The passage was made without a single mishap, and all wondered why this plan had not been thought of before.

"Let us move on into the interior a short distance, so as to deceive them as to our direction. It is conceivable that they may have boats of some kind which they have sent for, and we should, therefore, try to put them off the track."

All were now tired and needed rest. They had not slept a moment during the night, and it was not yet daylight. Beyond was an elevation, toward which the Professor directed them. There the wagon could be concealed, and from that point they would also have a view of the future movements of their enemies.

When the sun arose the savages could be seen standing guard over the sham wagon, at their old camp ground, and the boys enjoyed this bit of humor in the extreme. "I feel so jolly at the trick that I want to go down to the river and laugh at them," exclaimed George.

Up to nine o'clock there was no indication that the ruse had been discovered. The Professor was in his happiest mood at the good imitation, and John had an unmistakable smile, and, as the boys' laughter grew more boisterous, he broke into a laugh that actually startled them.

It was no less amusing to the captive. Beyond question it pleased him, but whether on account of his own safety or because of the ludicrous attitude of the besiegers, was beyond their comprehension. In his short captivity he had taken a fancy to the Professor, on whom he kept his eyes constantly. It was evident that more than the usual interest was displayed in watching his movements. From the first there was no sulkiness in the chief, nor did he exhibit any moroseness, or anything which indicated a spirit of revenge.

The kind and simple act of binding his wounds and making him comfortable seemed to amend for everything. Occasionally the Professor would go to him, and examine the wound, and sometimes pat him on the back—actions which he seemed to understand. No doubt the Professor had a motive in all this, as we shall probably see. The boys knew that he understood human nature in all its aspects, and that in this, as in other things, they felt he was merely preparing the way to utilize him in the future.

They were now on the western shore of West River, and when they had their full share of laughter at the deluded enemies, preparations were made for a start. But where to? Directly to the east were the three hostile tribes, and that direction was impossible. The Professor attempted another conversation with the chief. As all were preparing for the start, he pointed to the north, and at this the chief shook his head to indicate disapproval. When he motioned toward the south it was even a more vigorous negative. Here was a dilemma. What did he mean by such peculiar actions?

The start was delayed to give them an opportunity to discuss the evident meaning of their captive. While this was going on Harry's attention was directed to their old camp. Their late enemies had discovered the ruse, and were now rushing to beat down the pretended wagon.

"See the party on the north side of the river. I suppose that is a scouting party and they found out our little joke," and George again burst into laughter at the scene.

The chief was interested now. The party from the north came into view, and after passing up the river for a quarter of a mile or more, dashed across, and came back on the same side of the stream that the late besiegers occupied.

"See, they are fighting each other. What does it all mean?"

"It simply means," answered the Professor, "that the other tribe, or one of the other tribes on the island, sent for reinforcements, and are now taking a hand."

The chief was consulted and asked by signs whether the attacking party from the north side was his own people, and he shook his head in the negative. This proved, beyond doubt, that at least three different people inhabited the island to the south and southeast.

"What puzzles me," said the Professor, "is the fact that our chief opposes our traveling to the north and to the south as well."

"Do you think there are any tribes on this side of the river?"

"That is the only inference I can draw from his actions."

A battle was in progress in the underbrush beyond the river. The attacking forces were numerically superior, and within an hour had driven their opponents far to the south, and the successful tribe could be plainly seen, as they searched the hills to find the bodies of victims, and to gather the trophies of their victory.

"We might as well go north on our way home, as directly to the east," was the final remark of the Professor.

The boys were actually startled at this sudden announcement. But when he pointed out that their ammunition was very low, owing to the fierce resistance which they had to make, the wisdom of the course appealed to them.

"I am glad to go," was Harry's immediate response, "because when we come back next time we'll have something that will give the whole lot a better argument than we offered them this time."

The yaks started for the north, and the chief's eyes gave a warning look, which they did not heed at that time. They afterwards remembered how portentous that look was. All that day, over broken ground, and a rough, hilly country, the team laboriously made its way. The best that could be done over such a country was two and a half miles an hour.

Late in the afternoon the party were startled on coming in sight of numerous small huts, and a larger hut at one side of the cluster of smaller ones. The approach was so unexpected that in spite of their efforts, the team could not be turned around before their approach was heralded throughout the tribal village.

Here was the first view of the homes of the natives. The huts were very crude, and were devoid of windows, all of them built round with more or less pointed or conical tops.

"Those huts don't look like the ones we saw to the south on the day we had our first fight," was George's opinion.

"You are correct in that, and if you notice, the people look differently, as well. What is that? I believe they have firearms." The Professor's brow gathered, as he said this, because now, that the alarm had been given, the warriors were running to and fro, and among them were several who carried guns.

The wagon was hurriedly put into a posture of defense, and the cattle protected as best they could. They approached cautiously, and the Professor walked forward and held out his hand in token of friendliness. They withdrew a short distance for consultation. This gave the party an opportunity to study the new people.

The first thing noticed was the entire difference in the clothing worn. The other tribes had nothing but the breech clout, but these had other garments, and their skin was darker in color.

"I am afraid we shall have trouble in a fight with these people, because their guns are first-class make," said Harry.

"You need have no fear of their guns," answered the Professor.

The boys looked at him wonderingly, as he continued: "They may have had ammunition in the past, but it is evident that they have none now. See how the fellows who have the guns carry them. They use them like spears."

They finally turned from their conference, and without a word or sign opened hostilities with a volley of arrows. The gage of battle had been thrown down. It was fortunate that the warriors were few in comparison with their last enemies. Not more than twenty were counted as they were waiting for the result of the consultation.

This challenge could not well be misunderstood, and the Professor gave the word to fire. Every shot took effect, and the result was a startling one for the savages. Without waiting for the second round they broke and fled, rushing down past the large hut and through the village, gathering, as they went, the women and children which had previously grouped together to witness the fight. This was too much for the boys, who rushed down after them, followed by John and the Professor, until the large hut was reached.

CHAPTER V

In one corner, and tied to stanchions which had been driven in the ground, were two boys, badly emaciated, and covered with filth and rags. When the ropes that bound them were cut away and assisted to rise they were too weak to stand without support.

"We are so hungry."

"How long have you been here?" asked Harry, excitedly.

"We don't know, but more than two weeks. We were captured by another tribe and in the last fight were taken from the ones who first captured us."

"Come out into the light," and Harry and George each put his arms around one of the boys, and as they came out looked at the Professor and John in astonishment too strong for words.

In the excitement they broke down and wept, and well they might. Our boys were touched beyond description, and John went up to them and put his arms around them, and this act so affected Harry and George that they too joined the boys in tears that could not be kept back.

The Professor was moved, as he turned away to hide his feelings, but he recovered, and with a great show of unconcern, exclaimed: "Back to the wagon, as quickly as possible." This brought them to a realization of their position, and Harry and George almost carried the boys toward the wagon, while John and the Professor lingered behind.

He had anticipated the return of the savages, and surmising that a still larger force might be within calling distance, did not consider it prudent to tarry long at that spot. It was well that they did not remain, as the rescued boys informed the Professor that the main body was beyond the ridge, and not more than several miles away unless they were on the warpath.

[See p. 62]

There was no time for many words. When the poor boys reached the wagon another surprise was in store for them, as they gazed on the wounded chief, who was bound in the wagon.

The savages did not go far beyond the village, and this was observed by the Professor, and was the moving cause of his sharp order when the boys were brought out. While Harry and John were engaged in turning the team around, George hurriedly set food before the famished boys, and they were cautioned against taking too much. They were really almost starved, and their appearance plainly showed the treatment they had received.

The Professor called out: "They are coming; have all the guns ready." Before they had fully taken all of the food the boys begged to be allowed to assist in the defense, and George was thoughtful enough to recognize the fact that the guns they had were not like the breech-loaders, and without wasting time told the boys how they were manipulated.

"Where did you get these funny-looking guns?" asked one of the boys.

"We made them," was the reply, and the boys looked at each other and gasped in surprise.

Beyond, the savages were gathering, and moving forwardly, evidently with a view of attacking. The Professor turned to the boys and asked them whether the natives had guns, and they answered that when they were captured they saw a half dozen old weapons, but had never used them, as, apparently, there was no ammunition. Where the savages obtained them was a mystery. They believed the weapons were used as charms, to aid them against their enemies, and that belief gained ground from the fact that thus far the tribes, in whose territory they now were, had been victorious in every battle that had been fought for the past year.

This was indeed interesting news, and probably the actions of the wounded chief, in appearing to discourage the trip to the north, had some relation to this belief.

The gathering warriors could be seen plainly, coming over the hill, beyond the village, and gathered in a mass near the hut from which the boys had been taken. A conference was in progress, which did not appear to be harmonious, but eventually the party moved forward and divided into three sections, with the view of enveloping the position of the Professor and his party.

"They will attempt to surround us, and we shall now have to attack them by assaulting one party at a time. As suggested in our previous encounters, the five guns must always be kept as a reserve for the last emergency. Fire and then reload, and we should attack one of the parties at a time, so the greatest execution at any one point will be most likely to cause the greatest effect. Fire with the utmost care and deliberation. Three will fire at a time, and then, after an interval, three more can fire, first at one party and then at the next. Such a course will be most likely to throw them into confusion. Furthermore, care should be taken that all do not fire at the same individual. The one on my left should aim at the one in the party to the left, and the one firing on my right should select some one in the group to the right of the center, while the center of our firing squad will aim at the center of their band."

These precautions were necessary with the new recruits. The two firing squads were arranged in this order: The Professor, with George and one of the boys at his sides, and John with Harry and the other boy assisting him.

The position of the wagon was a strong one, as it was flanked near both ends by large trees, and it was fortunate that no large trees grew near them, the position having been selected with the object of defense in view; but they were liable to attack from all sides, which made the position more difficult.

The two flanking parties made their way carefully around, and at a signal, a rush was made. The Professor ordered the first volley, and three fell. This immediately checked the attacking party on that side, but the other did not stop, and after deliberately holding their fire until they came up much nearer, a fair target was obtained, and the order to fire was repeated.

The Professor had anticipated a rush from the center party, but the terrible effect of the two rounds had demoralized them. The reserve guns were ready had it been necessary, and without waiting for the renewal of an attack the guns were reloaded, and Harry and George took it upon themselves to load the boys' guns during the interim.

The besieged played a waiting game. With ten shots at their command they felt sure of being able to withstand anything but a rush, and even in that case, they had the bolos and the spears all within reach. It was an extremely hazardous, but not the most dangerous, position, since six fighting men, in a safe position, could not be easily overcome, as the Professor explained, and this gave all the boys the greatest confidence.

The flanking parties withdrew, and joined the others, taking with them the wounded. Two hours of quiet reigned. The night, which was now approaching, was the most dangerous period, and they appreciated the insecurity of the position to withstand a night attack.

The river was to their right, and not more than two miles away, and the boys saw the Professor frequently look in that direction. "I believe," he finally said, "we can better afford to take the risk of a daylight trip to the river, than to remain here another minute. The lesson we gave is rankling within them, and they will attack us with different tactics the next time."

The yokes were still on the yaks, and it was the work of moments only to bring them to the pole and when the ring had been slipped on Harry had them in motion down the hill. The Professor and John dismounted, and stood guard, and Harry was told to move directly toward the river and pass to the right of a hill, which appeared to have a precipitous side, which was not more than a half mile away.

The parting injunction of the Professor was: "Go on without stopping until you reach the clump of trees before you and just beyond the little stream in your path. That will give you a good view of every approach."

The wagon went down the hill at a rapid pace. The Professor and John kept a vigilant watch on their enemies, and it was not long before the disappearance of the wagon was noted, and then the utmost excitement prevailed. It was evident that there was no concerted movement among them. There was an aimless running to and fro, but the two stood there, guns in hand, and that no doubt disconcerted the natives, who evidently believed that the wagon had been removed to a more advantageous position.

The inaction did not continue long, for it was now noticed that parties of two and three stole out from the shelter of the huts, some going to the north and others to the south, with a view of surrounding and spying the new position. The wagon was beyond the sight of their position on the hill, and after John had looked inquiringly at the Professor several times, both began a forward movement after the wagon, and by proceeding at a rapid pace discerned it in the distance.

After crossing the little stream referred to by the Professor, both halted, in order to scour the country behind them. John clutched the Professor by the sleeve and pointed to several moving figures to their left, cautiously moving up the hill to the position previously occupied by the wagon.

This was a great relief, as it was evident the savages had no idea that the wagon was in full retreat toward the river. Moving cautiously from tree to tree the Professor and John traveled as rapidly as possible in the direction of the wagon, and the boys were commended for their forethought in keeping the wagon in a hidden position while awaiting their arrival.

"It looks as though we had outwitted them, at any rate for the time being, and it will keep them back long enough to enable us to get a good start, so hurry on as fast as possible. Make for the side of the hill which I pointed out before. If they discover our absence, and can gather their forces we may be able to use the precipitous side of the hill as a protection. But remember, the river is our objective point."

No urging was needed. On the way the second stream or running brook was crossed. Harry called to one of the boys: "Get some of the copper kettles from the wagon and get some water. If we are held up at the hill the yaks will need it, as well as ourselves." George and the boys recognized the importance of it, and weak as the two rescued boys were, they dragged the filled kettles to the wagon, and George fastened the wooden covers on them.

Within ten minutes more the hill was reached. It was not high nor difficult to mount, and at one point it seemed to spring up into a peak, the southern side of the point presenting a steep outline. The boys saw that on the side facing the river, which was less than a mile away, the precipitous portion was formed by a wall of peculiar brownish-gray rock.

Behind this rocky fortress the wagon was driven, and the first care of Harry was to water the animals, as they had not been allowed to quench their thirst on the way. They waited an hour or more for the appearance of the Professor and John. George went out on a quest back over the trail which they had just made, and almost reached the stream before he caught sight of them lurking through the trees and shrubbery.

They were relieved to know that the wagon was in safety, and after the stream was crossed the three delayed no longer, but hurried rapidly forward and soon reached the wagon, to the great relief of Harry and the boys.

"Let us haste to the river," was the Professor's hurried order, as he came up, and the yaks were at once urged forward, but as he passed the rocky wall, he cried out: "Wait, let us examine this first."

The boys knew that if, in such an emergency, he could call a halt, the appearance of the rock would reveal something that might be of value. The action of the Professor attracted the attention of John at once, and he turned to the wall and glanced along its face in an inquiring manner, and as he did so wandered along the rocky outline in a curious manner.

While the Professor was engaged in examining the formation John came back hurriedly into sight, in considerable agitation, and running up to Harry, grasped him by the arm and led him back. Harry followed, intensely interested, and the other boys also noted the movement and rushed over to the narrow trail which they had taken.

As they rounded a corner John and Harry had disappeared, and George was astounded. In a moment more Harry ran back and cried out: "Tell the Professor to come, quickly."

He appeared, as the unusual sight of the boys running after John had already attracted his attention, and when the boys reached the second turn and saw the Professor coming up, the latter was curious to know what the commotion meant.

"It means," answered Harry, "that we have found another cave."

The entrance was to the left, and was so hidden by shrubbery that only the utmost scrutiny enabled them to distinguish it.

They gazed at each other in astonishment. George was the first to speak: "Why wouldn't this be a good place to hide?"

There was no answer, but John heard, and immediately shook his head, and the Professor, not noticing this motion of John during his intent examination of the entrance, turned around and said: "We must leave this place as quickly as possible."

This startled all of them into activity at once, and they made a rush for the team, with John in the lead. Without a moment's loss of time, the way was made down the hill, and the Professor and John took up their positions as rear guards.

"Drive directly to the open space at the bank to the left, and unhitch the team."

The boys heard and started forward, urging them along as fast as the condition of the ground would permit, and within fifteen minutes had the team ranged behind the wagon in a manner similar to their previous training for the purposes of defense.

"I think one of you boys and George had better go back and assist in case they are pursuing," and Ralph, the stronger of the two, volunteered, and after taking a new supply of ammunition, followed back in time to see a number of lurking savages on the hill beyond the last stream.

The escape had been discovered, and the savages collecting their forces were in full pursuit. In an incredibly short space of time the shelving path along the rocky wall, adjacent the cave, was filled with warriors, who could now plainly see the wagon at the brink of the river, and the Professor and John soon appeared and urged haste back to the wagon.

Ralph ventured the opinion that while there might be fifty or more in the party, he was sure that a still greater number were available, and when Tom, the other boy, was appealed to, replied that there must be considerably more than one hundred, if not a hundred and fifty in the tribe who might be mustered to attack them.

When the wagon was reached all were cautioned not to waste any ammunition, as they had but little to spare. The savages came up and took position far beyond the range of the guns, and the open space afforded them a much better protection than would have been available, even at the hill.

It was evident, however, to George and Harry, that John and the Professor had some other reason for urging the sudden departure from the mouth of the cave. Neither could have seen the savages approaching from that point, and they noticed the two looking at each other when the savages made their appearance in front of the cave.

There was no time for questionings now. Would they attempt an attack? It was past midday, and hunger had been forgotten. While both of the rescued boys had kept within the wagon as much as possible during their flight from the hills, they were very weak, and had been given food in small quantities, so as to accustom their contracted stomachs to the stimulating action of the nutriment.

Within an hour new parties approached from the rear. Reinforcements were coming, and they probably intended to delay the attack until the entire force was available. This looked very serious indeed, but through all the Professor was grave and dignified, and showed no evidences of being unduly disturbed at the gathering clans.

"What we need fear more than anything else now is a night attack," was the Professor's comment, as he watched their movements.

Ralph stepped up to the Professor, and said: "I do not think they will venture to do so, because I do not remember that they have ever attempted to do so at night. The tribe that captured us always made night sorties, but these people never did, and for that reason I do not believe they will attempt it now."

The Professor thanked Ralph for the information.

CHAPTER VI

But let us listen to the tale as Ralph told it: "We were on the after part of the ship at the time the explosion took place. It was between nine and ten at night. The explosion seemed to break the ship in two, and an officer, a seaman, and three of my companions, including Tom here, launched one of the boats, and when it was apparent that the vessel was sinking, the officer ordered the boat away. We saw two of the lifeboats, and made for the nearest one, when the wave from the sinking ship nearly overturned us. Soon after a heavy fog covered everything, and when that disappeared a high wind arose, and the sea became choppy and the froth was blown over us so that all became drenched."

"All that tallies exactly with our experience," remarked George.

"Instead of decreasing the wind grew more furious during the following day, and Tom and myself became very ill and helpless. When I recovered consciousness there was only Tom and another companion in sight, and neither of them knew what happened, or how the others disappeared. We were lashed to the boat, and just before I became unconscious I remembered that the seaman gave me some biscuits and canned meat, as well as a flask of water, and those I found beside me when I awoke. During the night Tom also awoke and began to rave, and I tried to quiet him, and after making a number of trials found the locker and gave him some stimulating medicines, which you will remember were put up and in the use of which we were instructed. Our other companion died of exposure the fourth day."

"Weren't the others lashed to the boat?"

"I don't remember. How many days we were washed by the sea I do not know, but it must have been fully a week, and we were both entirely exhausted, when something happened to our boat, and everything appeared motionless, but still I could hear a terrific roaring sound. When I regained my senses, I recognized Tom bending over me, and the first words I remember were: 'I thought you would never come to again.' I learned that we had been cast ashore the night before, and we could see the wrecked parts of our lifeboat strewn all about, as the winds had died down, but the sea was still running high."

Harry looked at him eagerly: "Didn't you save your boat or any part of it?" And George was almost at the limit of nervous tension as he leaned forward and waited for the reply.

"No; our boat was crushed beyond all hope of recovery. We did not find any of the food stored in it, and when we were able to leave the beach on which we were thrown, we saw that not fifty feet to the left of us was the first of a series of rocky projections running to the west, against which we were no doubt landed when carried up by the immense breaker."

"Have you any idea where you landed—that is, on what part of the island?" was the Professor's first question.

"I haven't the slightest idea, for reasons which you will now learn."

"But," broke in Tom, "don't forget to relate what we saw the first day, before we had gotten a half mile from the shore."

"Yes; I was coming to that. We were both hungry, and we wandered first along the seashore, and then finding nothing that would answer for food, went inland, and noticed all about us different kinds of vegetables, none of which we recognized, and finally some berries. We were so hungry that we ate and ate as fast as we could gather them, and felt much better for a time; but along in the afternoon, we heard voices, and soon a number of savages came in sight. We were paralyzed with fear. They were almost entirely naked, and what gave us the greatest fright was the appearance of a captive they were dragging along, with his hands bound behind him."

"Was it a white man?"

"We did not know it at the time, but we afterwards learned, as I will tell you, that he was a white man, and that he was taken over to the main camp to be offered up as a sacrifice."

"Did you recognize the particular tribe that had the captive?"

"Not at that time, because we did not know that each tribe had its own distinctive dress. But later on we learned which tribe it was."

The Professor drew up the mattress and brought out two different articles of headgear that had been taken four days before. "Do you recognize either of these?"

The boys started. "Yes; this belongs to the tribe that first captured us. See that row of shells, and this colored band. That is the principal distinguishing feature aside from the hair. This hair is a dark brown, and all of the tribe wear that kind because their bitterest enemies have that kind of hair, and they seem to take a delight in slaying an enemy solely for the purpose of getting the hair necessary to make up the head ornament with."

"I noticed that the hair of the people who are around us now is very black and curly."

"Yes; this other headdress is made principally from the hair of our enemies outside. Where did you get it?"

"We captured it," answered the Professor, "in one of the fights we had several days ago."

"At the time you captured the chief here?"

"Yes. And while we are on the subject, I wish you would see if you recognize the headdress of the chief we have here."

Ralph looked it over, and to the surprise of all announced that he had never seen that kind before.

"How many tribes do you think are on the island?" was George's question.

"Probably a half dozen or more. Our means for learning these things were very limited, although we have had a close acquaintance with them for the past six months."

"Before you go on with your story I want to ask a question or two," said the Professor, as he glanced at John. "Did you ever come across a large river, like this one, and which flowed in a different direction, say, to the east?"

Neither of the boys remembered such a stream.

"Have you ever been near the range of mountains which we can see to the east of us?"

"Oh, yes; we were taken way down west of those mountains. After seeing the captors a safe distance away, we started in an opposite direction, and found ourselves on a little stream of water, and picked out a resting place on one shore among the bush where a little overhanging hill offered some shelter. Before night both of us became very ill, and had taken to vomiting, and then imagined that the berries had poisoned us. For two days we lay there, almost too weak to move, and afraid to venture out, on account of the savages. We found nuts and ate sparingly at first, as our stomachs were too weak to permit us to take much at a time. Then we found some things like sweet potatoes, and Tom had a box of matches which was a great boon to us."

"Well, that is better than we had when we landed," and George laughed at the reminiscence.

"In our wanderings we lost all trace of time, of distance and of direction. We knew that the sun came from the east and set in the west, and we knew that the shadow of the sun was thrown to the north at noon, but it didn't make much difference to us which way we went."

George couldn't help interrupting: "Why, don't you know we are south of the equator, and that at noon the sun throws its shadow to the south?"

"In our condition we didn't stop to consider any of those things. We were mostly hungry, and tired with wandering. We thought the proper thing would be to go north, and so we traveled in that direction. As it now turns out we went to the south, and marched right into the heart of the occupied part of the island. For months we evaded capture. On one occasion we stumbled on the camp of a lot of savages who were sacrificing a victim."

"Was he a white man?"

"We did not know, and could not stop to inquire, but it is more than probable that it was a captive from some other tribe, as that is a common and universal practice. They never spare a captive. In our own case, we knew what to expect, and our only salvation was that the time for these sacrifices took place only at certain periods, or to commemorate events at which the offering is made to their gods at special seasons of the year. Of course we did not know when that particular period would come in our case, but we knew what captivity meant, and we often wished to be put out of our suspense."

The Professor here interrupted: "The matter of commemorating certain events or circumstances is something which comes down through the history of all peoples from the most ancient periods. In the case of the Israelites, it is said that they brought out the brazen serpent, which Moses commanded to be kept in the ark for a memory, and offered before it. Dixon, in his 'History of the Church of England,' states that it was the universal custom in the early period of the church to demand memories to be celebrated, and Spenser's tales refer to the commemorations by