The Wonder Island boys

The boys had here the first opportunity to see the pineapple, which grew in patches along their path. The boys could not be restrained, and Angel was called into requisition. With his strong arms he broke off dozens of them, and the singular thing about it was he never made a mistake. His faculty for getting the ripe ones was unfailing.

“I didn’t know these grew here,” said Harry.

“Yes,” answered John; “but only in certain sections, or in particular soils. It grows in semi-tropical countries, and is a native fruit in Mexico, Central America, Guiana and Brazil. It is claimed that the pineapple contains all the essential elements of every fruit.”

“Did you ever see such leaves?”

“Many varieties have leaves over three feet long, and are valuable because the most beautiful silken fiber is found in them from which the finest fabrics are woven.”

CHAPTER XIV

THE WAGON IN THE FIGHTING ZONE OF FOUR TRIBES

“About the same number as warriors.”

“Are there any more tribes than you have mentioned?”

“No; but there are some wild people who are not members of any of the tribes, but they live near the mountains.”

“What kind of people are the Illyas?”

“They are very mean, and are the enemies of all the others; and so are the Tuolos.”

When the warriors were mustered the Professor found ninety strong, vigorous specimens, the picked ones of the tribe. It need not be added that the Professor unfolded a scheme whereby he hoped to stop all further wars, and to greatly enrich all of them, and it was fortunate that he found in the chief a willing listener to the proposal.

With this explanation it will be the more readily understood with what enthusiasm he placed his people at the disposal of this strange man. He explained the strength of the white man, and showed him how the arts of peace were cultivated, and of the friendship which existed between all the great people of the world.

It must not be thought that the chief refrained from asking a great many questions during the course of their conversation.

“Is the country you come from very large?”

“It is more than two thousand times larger than all of this country.”

“I do not know how much that is. Is it more than two hundred times greater?”

“Yes, more than ten times that number.”

The chief marveled at this statement.

“And how many people are there?”

“I could not tell you, but so many you could not count them.”

“And do you have many tribes in your country?”

“No; we have only one tribe.”

All this was conveyed and expressed, not in the order given, but by careful explanations, and by counting the numbers with pebbles, as they had no numbers beyond twenty which could be indicated by any words in their language.

When the warriors were ready for the start, the Professor was surprised to find that the chief had prepared a litter, to be carried by four of the warriors. This was to be his carriage of state. He did not refuse to accept his place in it, as he knew that it would have been in bad taste, and he was the more gratified when he learned from the boys that it was the chief’s own litter.

The cavalcade marched directly to the north, the speed being about three miles per hour. What a glorious reunion he anticipated with his boys and friends, for he had no fear of their ability to cope with the various tribes, unless all combined, and this he knew would be very unlikely.

He had been careful to get from the chief an outline of the enmities and the feuds which existed, and the knowledge of this would the better enable him to deal with the different ones when brought into contact with them.

Ralsea, the sub-chief, was a powerful warrior, and the Professor found him a most agreeable man. In respect for his position, every order was a request made through him, and it was soon perceived that the deference which the Professor extended, flattered him beyond measure.

Thus, by a diplomatic policy, he made a friend of the next most powerful personage in the tribe. He took him into his confidence, and explained his plans in the best manner possible, to the great satisfaction of the native.

Before the end of the day, an additional band of their own people came in from the north, with tidings of their defeat, and with them were a number of wounded. The Professor was at their side at once, and began the work of ministering to their wounds.

They learned of the action of the Kurabus, in attacking them in the rear, and joining with the Osagas to crush them. The Professor inquired if they had seen his own people, or had heard about them, and they replied that a wonderful people who had fought the Brabos and the Kurabus, were traveling eastwardly into the Kurabus country, and that the latter were now pursuing them.

Questioned whether the Saboros were also in league with them, the answer was, yes. It was thus probable that they had a force of fully two hundred to cope with, as it must be understood these tribes did not, except in the most urgent cases, put all their warriors in the field at one time.

This would certainly be dangerous in the extreme, and consulting with Ralsea, he made the plans for proceeding against the allied tribes. There was no love between them and the Kurabus, but there had been peace for a long time between the Berees and the Osagas, until the new chief took Uraso’s place.

The allied forces were between John’s party and the Professor’s warriors. The defeat administered by the combined forces would doubtless satisfy the Kurabus and Osagas that the Berees would not attack from that quarter.

The plan outlined by the Professor was this:

“The main fighting force of the Osagas is now in the north, and their villages are unprotected against such a force as they had. Our plan now is, to proceed as rapidly as possible to their villages, and capture them.”

“Yes; and destroy them,” answered Ralsea.

“By no means. We have more power with them, by preventing their destruction.”

What manner of man was this, who would not destroy his enemies’ homes if they were put in his power! This was a new thing to him.

“What would you gain by such a proceeding?”

“If we made his women and children and all his goods captive they would be powerless.”

“But they would still be your enemies, and they would be the most bitter, and in order to crush you would unite with the Kurabus and others to wipe you out, would they not?”

“You speak truly.”

“My plan would be to hold them from harm, and to show them that we do not desire revenge, and gain them as our lasting friends.”

The point was gained, and the course was immediately changed toward the country of the Osagas.

“Do you think it would be possible for any of your warriors to pass through the country to the northwest, and inform my people that we are on the way to assist them?”

Ralsea pondered for a time, and then said: “I have a brave man who can go anywhere that it is possible to go; but if he is captured it will be death; and I will order him to go.”

“No; do not order him to go. I do not want to risk the lives of any of the men.”

“But I will order him to go.”

“Before doing so let me talk with him.”

The warrior was sent for, and when he appeared, the Professor smiled. He recognized him, as the leader of the party which had captured him.

It did not require anyone to explain that this man was the ideal messenger, if his physique was any indication. He was the most speedy one in the tribe, and had never been outrun by any other on the island. He was the most handsome savage the Professor had seen.

To this man he explained the need of informing his friends of their intentions, and if attacked to maintain their position at all hazards. That he was well aware of the risk attending such a mission; that he did not wish to order him to go, but if he felt like undertaking the mission he would be rewarded whether he succeeded or failed, and if he succeeded it would be the means of making his people strong and powerful.

The youth, for he was still a very young man, could hardly comprehend the character of such an order. It was so unlike anything he had known in his tribe. “I will go,” was all he said.

There was no paper or other material of like character available, and the boys were called in by the Professor. “Can you find me any plantain leaves?” he asked.

The boys were at a loss to know what the Professor meant.

“Have you noticed what the Berees use to thatch their huts with?”

“You mean the long and wide leaves?”

“Oh, yes; we saw plenty of them near here.”

These were soon procured, long, fibrous, and strong. With a blunt instrument the Professor wrote the following message on the leaf:

“If you are attacked hold out to last extremity. I am coming to your assistance. The bearer, Sutoto, is our friend. Professor.”

“Do you think they will be able to read that?” asked Will.

“In a few moments you will see the message much plainer, as the texture of the leaf is crushed where I have gone over it with this instrument, and the lines will discolor the leaf.”

It was then folded up, and the Professor took a portion of his coat, and made it up into a thin, compact package, which the messenger concealed in his clothing. The boys watched him disappear with wonderful speed, directly to the north.

As this young man will be heard of frequently hereafter and take an important part in the history of the boys, it should be stated that he had wonderful energy and intelligence, and was the favorite of the great Chief Suros, the head of the Berees.

“It is my opinion,” said John, addressing Muro, “that the lesson we gave the Brabos to-day will either make them our friends or the most bitter enemies.”

Muro shook his head. “The Brabos are not good; they do not keep their word. They cheat and try to take everything away.”

“The Kurabus are just the same, are they not?”

“No; the Kurabus are big fighters, but they do what they say.”

“Do you know anything about the Osagas?”

“My wife Osaga; she was Osagas people. Osagas good, but like to fight.”

“What do they fight about?”

“Kurabus want more land for hunting. Osagas got best land. Berees and Osagas have best land for hunting.”

“In whose territory are the big forests to the west?”

“The Berees have the forest, and they have the big water, and the most trees with nuts and stalks like this,” and he pointed to the wild barley.

“Are the Berees good people?”

“They good, strong fighters; old chief; wise man. All like him but Kurabus. I take Berees; let him go; Berees take me; Suros let me go.”

“Who is Suros?”

“Big chief of Berees.”

“Are all the fights about the land?”

“No; when one gets too much the other want it. If Saboros get captive, Kurabus want it; when Kurabus get three or four captive, Brabos want some of them.”

“Do they kill the captives?”

“Yes; the Tuolos, and the Kurabus, and the Illyas.”

“Who are the Illyas?”

“Mean men; we can reach them; close to. Big fighters, and nobody likes them.”

“Are they near the mountain?” he asked, pointing to the east.

He nodded an assent. Here, at last, were the people that John had long tried to find out about.

The wagon was slowly going to the southeast, and near noon John discovered, what appeared to be indications of moving objects. The wagon was halted, and all took observations. Muro was the first to break the silence.

“Kurabus coming,” he said.

“How do you know they are Kurabus?” asked Blakely.

“Too many for Osagas.” It is obvious he had taken an inventory of both tribes on the day of the battle.

All looked to Muro. “Go this way fast,” he answered, as he pointed to the east.

The yaks were driven up and the wagon directed toward all the depressed portions and valleys, so as to keep it in a concealed position as much as possible. A moving object like a wagon is much easier to distinguish than even a body of men, at a distance.

Before they had traveled a mile they were astounded to see another band of warriors directly ahead of them, and moving from the east. Muro suggested that they should call a halt, and determine who the newcomers could be, and also to learn their destination and object, in going toward the Kurabus, who were advancing from the southwest.

“Are you able to make out who they are?” asked John.

“Maybe Saboro,” and without another word he darted forward in the direction of the oncoming host.

This intelligence stimulated the boys, and they danced about in delight at the probability of this being true. Stut had probably reached the tribe at last.

They were doomed to disappointment, however, for when Muro returned with the intelligence that it was either the Brabos or the Illyas, he knew they were not his people.

“What would the Brabos be doing in that direction?” asked John.

“Probably come from Kurabu village, and more Brabos up this way.”

Properly translated this means, that the Brabos, during the absence of the Kurabus, had attacked the latter village, with one portion of their band, and that the other part had gone to the west to intercept the Kurabus from attacking in that direction.

“If you are correct, we are right in the center of the place where the three parties will meet,” said John.

Muro nodded and continued: “May be Osagas coming.”

“Would they come from that direction?”

Muro again replied affirmatively. The only direction now open was to the north. “What shall we do?” asked Blakely.

“Fight!” was John’s laconic reply.

An open place was selected, near a stream, and the fort erected within a few minutes after the halt was made.

CHAPTER XV

URASO CAPTURED BY THE BEREES. WELCOMED BY THE PROFESSOR

An old man came forward and said: “You look like a white man who took our chief Uraso and killed him. We felt bitter, and agreed with the Kurabus to find you and be revenged. But the Saboros wanted to go, too, and that would be too many to take the white man’s things, and before we knew it the Saboros and the Kurabus went to find you.”

“Who told you that the white man had killed Uraso?”

“When the Kurabus and the Osagas had a fight in the north moons ago the white man took Uraso. The Osagas sent scouts all over the land, and found where the white man had his village, and could not see Uraso, and they knew he had been sacrificed. This was confirmed when, after the white man had captured one of the wounded Kurabus, and set him free, because the Kurabu said that he was not in the village.”

“I am the man,” said the Professor, “who took Uraso; we did not kill him, as we do not believe in killing captives. We cured him, and gave him a repa (a bolo), and he ran away from us.”

The old man listened with astonishment as Ralsea translated the words. Then turning to the sub-chief, he asked whether the white man had many warriors. The Professor understood, and without waiting for Ralsea to interpret the question, answered:

“We have many, many times more people than you have in all this land, and we have wonderful reckas (weapons), but we want to be friends, and not enemies.”

The old man then said that the warriors were now in the north, and that the last band had gone there the day before to try and capture the traveling murka (wagon) which the white men had.

This information was sufficiently startling to determine the Professor to act at once; so turning to Ralsea he spoke as follows:

“We must try and prevent the Osagas from attacking my people. They will resist, and many of them will be killed. Let us go at once with the warriors.”

This was the most remarkable event which had ever taken place in the lives of these people—it was the first time that a hostile tribe had ever taken a village and not exacted a tribute. It was too astonishing for their comprehension.

The Professor and his party had no idea that John and the boys had directed the course of the wagon eastwardly, and were, therefore, at that time in the Kurabu territory fully ten miles east of the point where he hoped to find them.

For the present the most important thing was to follow the Osagas, and halt them from attacking, so the column was hurried forward, directly to the north in the trail of the fighters in the hope that they might be overtaken before the next morning.

While this was going on John and the boys were preparing for the fight of their lives. They were determined on forcing their way through the hostile forces. The two bands were coming forward at a rapid rate, and they saw them unite without any hostile exhibitions.

The parties had joined for some purpose, which was not then apparent, as neither of the factions could have known of the presence of the wagon before them. There was no movement for fully an hour, due doubtless to consultations upon the subject at hand.

About two o’clock the combined column was set in motion, and it was noticed that the two tribes, while marching toward them, along parallel lines, were separated from each other. John called Muro’s attention to this. He replied:

“That is the custom here with all tribes. They will not mix up when on the march. Each tribe keeps by itself.”

“Why is that?”

“The wise men say the arrows will not go straight.”

Blakely, who heard this conversation, said: “I know just what he means by that. I got an inkling of that on one occasion. I put it in this way: They are mighty distrustful, and as a result are compelled to keep an eye on each other. This prevents them from shooting accurately, or with care.”

This incident of the two tribes moving side by side conveyed another meaning, also, to Muro, for he continued, after Blakely concluded:

“The ones over there,” pointing to the left, “are Illyas, I know.”

This was determined, as he afterwards expressed it, because they are always suspicious, and were never known to mingle with the other tribes.

“But what are they doing in this section of the country?”

“That I do not understand. Maybe to recover captives, or something of that kind.”

The two bands approached without any expectation of meeting the whites. That was evident. In any event it would have been impossible for the wagon to get away, because the country was too open to shield them. They had only to hope that by some fortune they would not be revealed.

The wagon had been put in position, as stated, in the open, so that such a party, coming within a quarter of a mile, would be likely to catch sight of it. The hope of being undiscovered was very faint.

To their delight the party passed along fully that distance away, and did not show any alarm, but as the last of the column of the Illyas was passing from sight there was a commotion, and the entire column turned to face them.

This was the signal for the Kurabus, who filed to the left and danced about like demons at the sight of the wagon, and the peculiar enclosure at one side, which was immediately recognized by them.

The occupants of the fort showed no sign. “Keep cool, boys, and fire steadily, when we once commence. Have all the ammunition in ready reach, and merely fire and reload. Observe our former method. We must keep the reserve guns for an emergency.”

The information was imparted to Muro and his companions, and each had a gun in hand and another by his side, loaded and ready for use. Both had been instructed daily in the manner of loading and of aiming, but they had done no firing, owing to the dangerous proximity of their enemies.

Muro and his friend were impatient beyond measure. They had the opportunity so long craved to attack their bitter enemies.

The Kurabus circled around the wagon to the left and the Illyas to the right. At a signal there was a shower of arrows, all of which fell short, but contrary to expectations, did not follow it with a concerted rush. Instead they advanced nearer, and the second volley of arrows was sent forth, and some of them found their marks in the fort, and two struck the wagon.

John saw Muro’s appealing look. The latter pointed to the group of Illyas, and said: “Chief; see big man, this side.”

John replied: “Can you hit him?”

Muro did not wait for a stronger invitation, and John drew back the firing hammer for him, and told him to take a careful aim, as he had been instructed. He did this with the utmost deliberation, in the coolest and most matter-of-fact way.

He fired. The chief threw up his hands and fell backward, while the warriors crowded about him and began to set up a demoniacal howl.

“Now, boys, that is a good target to fire into,” muttered John. “Ready—fire!” Six shots more found their marks in the congested mass. How many fell it was impossible to say in the confusion produced by the volley.

“Reload, and be ready for the next.”

The first impulse of the savages was to rush for shelter, and thus left their dead and wounded where they fell. But the chief’s body was there, and several rushed forward and recovered him, without molestation on the part of John.

When the warriors fled they had an opportunity to see the result of the volley. The six shots had wounded eight, more or less; how many of them were killed could not be determined at the time.

All the besiegers now withdrew to a safe distance. It was obvious to them that their arrows were not of sufficient range to compete with the wonderful weapons possessed by the whites. Several warriors crawled up to the nearest bunches of shrubbery, and they were permitted to do so, but when once in their supposed concealed positions were close enough, so that it was no trouble in reaching them with the guns.

The effect of Muro’s shot was so exhilarating that he danced about the enclosure with expressions of joy. The boys patted him on the back, and applauded him for the masterly manner in which he had executed the first shot.

Two hours passed by, and it did not seem possible that they would attempt to rush the fort. Considering that there were fully two hundred warriors about them, such tactics, if pushed with vigor, must have resulted in the annihilation of the occupants of the fort. But the savages were wary. The Illyas had now a taste of the same medicine that the Kurabus had taken to their disgust.

Before evening the two forces disposed themselves around the fort, and the night set in with a slight shower. Muro chuckled at this, and when questioned, responded: “Cannot use bows,” and he smiled.

The rain increased, and as there was now no cover for the wagon, all were drenched. The darkness was intense, and the vigil was a constant one, occupying the attention of all. Muro stated that neither of the parties would attempt an attack in that condition, but they must be alert to resist any daredevils who might approach for the purpose of picking off one or more of their number.

Shortly after midnight a peculiar voice was heard, calling “John, John.” They listened. “Did some one call me?” asked John.

“Yes; we heard it!” exclaimed several of the boys.

“John, John,” the voice repeated, and they detected a scratching on the wall of the fort. John sprang over to the side from which the sound emanated, and saw a figure crouching close to the ground, alongside of the fort.

“I am John; what do you want?”

A hand was held up containing an object, and John caught it, and drew it in. It was something in fabric, and tied with a cord. The darkness was too intense to distinguish its character, but John cut the cord and a leaf fell out.

“Here is some news,” he cried. “Get a light quickly.” One of the matches was produced, and held close to the leaf. The writing could not be distinguished by the momentary gleam, which shot forth, but the signature, “Professor,” caught the eye of Harry, who held the match.

“It is from the Professor,” he exclaimed excitedly, and he jumped up and peered over the top wall, and seeing the object still there, reached down, and recognized a savage, who held up his hand. Harry grasped it, and, calling to the others, said: “Help him in.”

The savage made no resistance, but assisted the others to draw him in. Muro recognized him as one of the Berees, and quickly asked: “Why are you here?”

“I came from the great White Chief.”

“Where is he?”

“Coming from the south, with all my people.”

When this was translated to them the boys were wild with the news.

“Be quiet, boys; make no demonstration. If it is not too wet, strike another light. There! steady!”

“What does it say?” was the eager question.

“If you are attacked hold out to last extremity. I am coming to your assistance. The bearer, Sutoto, is our friend.”

Muro questioned him as John propounded the inquiries.

“Did your people capture the White Chief?”

“I took him in the hills to the west of this place.”

“You captured him?”

“Yes; I took him to the chief, and he made the chief’s daughter well. The chief told us he was a great man, and that he was forever his friend, and when our warriors came back from the fight he cured them, but he would not eat, and all our people marveled at this, and believed him to be a superior being, and the chief imprisoned all our medicine men.”

“Where is he now?”

“Coming to us with all the warriors of my people, and with the two purees (boys) which we had.”

“Purees? What does he mean?”

And Muro pointed to the boys.

“How did you get in to us?”

“I was with the people outside when it began to rain, and came up to the kramin (bush) close to you. I was here long time.”

“George, get Sutoto something to eat; he must be hungry.” And this was speedily attended to.

When the morning sun arose bright and beautiful it was a welcome relief to the misery of the night. The boys now had an opportunity to examine their new friend. They marveled at his youth. But he was evidently well known to Muro. They talked long and earnestly, and the latter recounted their experiences.

Chump told him about the wonders of the Cataract house, and of the remarkable things to be seen there. He looked at the fort and examined the wagon, and the things possessed a remarkable fascination for him. He was a second edition of George in the capacity to ask questions.

Muro explained that Sutoto was the fleetest runner in the country, and his finely shaped limbs and admirable poise of his head was admired by all. He eyed Blakely for some time, and the latter held out his hand. Sutoto grasped it, and as they held each other’s hand, said: “I think you ought to remember me. I was one of your guests for a little time.” And he laughed, as did Sutoto.

The scene in that wagon for the next few hours was like a reunion of long-lost friends. The boys admired Sutoto’s manly ways, and even Ralph, who often said he had no use for any of the devils, admitted that he would have to change his mind.

While all this drama was being enacted the Professor was hurrying to the north as fast as the warriors could travel. The Professor suggested that as they were now approaching the enemy’s country it would be wise to send out advance guards.

This was a novel proceeding to Ralsea, but he readily assented, and four of the most skillful were given instructions to keep well ahead and note every movement. It was most fortunate that this was done for reasons we shall now see.

Before noon the scouts discovered a lurking savage, and as he was trying to get away a number of others were sent out, so their movements radiated out like a fan, and in this manner the fugitive was hemmed in and finally captured.

He was brought in by the most wildly excited and gesticulating lot of savages the Professor had ever witnessed. This appeared to be a more than ordinary event with them, and he could not understand it.

Before they were near he heard the cries of “Osaga, Osaga,” and the Professor was startled in the belief that they had come up with the band they were pursuing.

The captive was brought before the Professor, and the moment he looked at him cried out, “Uraso.” For a moment he was too much affected to speak. Uraso went up to the Professor and embraced him, and then looked around at the Berees in astonishment.

Here was the Professor, carried by the Berees, not as a prisoner, but as an individual in state, with the warriors under his command. He could not understand the situation.

“Didn’t we treat you right, Uraso?”

“I tried to go back to my people and bring them to you. The Illyas captured me, and now that they have allied themselves with the Kurabus, intended to attack and capture you.”

“Have you been with them all this time?”

“No, when they first tried to capture me I was badly wounded, so that for a long time I could not walk, and when I was well enough, two moons ago, they did take me.”

“Your people have gone to attack my people in the wagon.”

Osaga could not credit this. His brow darkened, and his anger was terrible to witness.

Ralsea assured him that such was the case, and then told him that they had just come from the Osaga village. At this information he grew indignant, and cast a reproachful glance at the Professor. The sub-chief quickly informed him of the Professor’s acts, in refusing to permit anything to be disturbed at the village.

“He is a great chief,” said Uraso, addressing Ralsea. “I saw the wonderful things he has at his village, and I want him to teach my people the things they do.”

“You must go with us, Uraso; we must find your warriors before they attack John and the boys.”

“John, John,” and he repeated over the name again and again. His face lighted up.

“I will go; my people shall not injure you. We are your friends.”

He was then informed that Muro, the chief of the Saboros, was also with John.

“Muro? My sister is his wife.” This news made him dance with joy. He rushed up to the Professor and again embraced him, and then went to Ralsea and rubbed his nose against him, in token of friendship and peace between their people.

CHAPTER XVI

A PERPLEXING MIX-UP

To this Muro nodded a quick assent. “Kurabus to the southwest; Illyas to the southeast, and Brabos to the north. Well, this is a fine combination on the chessboard,” was Blakely’s summing up of the situation.

“But are not the Brabos at war with the Kurabus?” asked Harry.

“No doubt they are; but I imagine they are after us at this particular time. Remember we attacked, or rather their party attacked us three days ago. They are sending us an answer,” said John.

“If I am not mistaken there will be the most terrible mix-up this island has ever witnessed.” And Blakely danced around as though he enjoyed the prospect. Evidently the besiegers had not noticed the approach of the new element from the north, for they were now preparing to renew the combat.

New positions were taken, and the constant communications between the two tribes were witnessed by the little party within the fort. At a signal the attacking parties advanced from all directions. John and Sutoto were on the south side; Harry and Tom on the north side in the wagon; Muro, Ralph and Chump on the east, and George and Blakely on the west side.

Thus eight guns were in the hands of the defenders, leaving twenty guns as reserves. As before, they approached close enough to discharge their arrows, and then began the grand rush.

“Take careful aim and fire,” cried John. The volley came like a crash. They were stunned.

“Reload, and keep cool,” came the second command. The party halted, and the indecision was long enough to gain time for the second shot, before they recovered and began the second concerted action.

“They are coming again; fire as rapidly as you can and follow it up with one of the reserve guns.”

The third shot came when they were within fifty feet of the wagon, and at this distance every shot counted.

“Let one reload and the other fire, and make every shot count.”

John was in earnest now. One shot now followed the other, and the warriors could not understand it. Without an order they turned and fled beyond reach of the bullets.

The sight within the fort was now indescribable. Sutoto danced about, hugging his gun. He went up to the boys, and crawled into the wagon, and in every imaginable way expressed his delight. A boy with a new toy could not have shown greater pleasure. The boys enjoyed themselves watching him.

But it was a sad day for the Kurabus and the Illyas. The latter had suffered by far the most. But where were the Brabos by this time? They had heard the noise of the battle, and at the last volley were within a half mile of the scene and hurried forward rapidly.

The hosts beyond the wagon had not yet discovered their approach, and after the retreat the chiefs of the contending forces gathered in consultation. But soon there was an uproar. The Brabos had been detected, and a new movement was discerned. The latter saw the conflict, and readily learned who the participants were. They had before them their two bitterest tribes, and the whites were their enemies as well.

They made no movement, however, which showed fear of their enemies, though greatly outnumbered. For a half hour they remained at a safe distance, and the other forces did not undertake to attack them.

Muro turned to John. “They are afraid to attack the Brabos while we are here.” That explained the situation.

Suddenly the Brabos started to the east, and then turned to the south. The attacking parties saw the movement, and an intense commotion resulted. John mounted the wagon top to get a better view, and Muro followed him. What could be their object in thus getting to the south of their enemies?

“I told you we would have some strange moves on this chessboard,” exclaimed Blakely, without taking his eyes off the Brabos. Then the next strange movement took place. The Illyas started in pursuit of them, leaving the Kurabus on guard.

“We might as well continue to take a hand in this,” quickly answered John, as he turned to Muro, and spoke a few words.

The Kurabus were to the west, and at the command of John, the fort section on the east side was pushed aside nearest the wagon, and each with an extra gun sallied out, taking a direction toward the south of the Kurabus.

“Drive them to the west and separate them from their allies,” was his command.

The sudden appearance of the besieged force disconcerted the Kurabus, who slowly at first fell back, but as the whites now rushed on, despite the overwhelming force in their front, they finally broke and fled, before the party had time to fire a single shot.

“Not too far, boys. The wagon is unprotected.”

This called them to a halt, and as they ran back to the wagon Sutoto pointed to the south at the Illyas and Brabos maneuvering for an attack. Sutoto took his place on the wagon top and observed the Kurabus. When they saw the pursuit had ended they stopped, and began a movement to the north.

At four in the afternoon of that day the Professor and his party were moving along to the north as fast as the warriors could travel, and he himself was on foot, and urging them to make haste.

A sudden boom came from the north, and the Professor stopped in startled surprise. The boys ran to him, and the warriors, who had recognized the sound before, gathered around him.

Uraso was the first to recover from the shock. “They have met and are fighting. I know what that means.”

“Forward, forward,” cried the Professor. “Wait for nothing. Uraso, go; go quickly, and stop them.”

Uraso started like a shot, followed by Ralsea and several of the fleetest warriors. As the sub-chief sprang forward he called out to his men: “Remain here with the White Chief, and follow as fast as you are able to.”

They fairly flew to the front. The firing continued; the second and the third volleys rang out. Would they never stop? The Professor knew what execution they were capable of, and that John would not permit them to fire recklessly. The sub-chief had not gone an hour before the scouts to the west came in hurriedly and reported that a tribe had appeared to their left.

“Who can they be?” asked the Professor. “Have we been discovered?” The scouts could not inform him. “Keep on, and move to the right,” were his orders, and they hurried forward with greater celerity, in the effort to avoid the band.

“How many are there?” asked the Professor.

“About a hundred, but of this we are not sure.”

Night came on, and still there was no news from the firing line.

“What can all this mean?” said the Professor to the boys. The firing had ceased long before, but the mystery of the non-appearance of Uraso and Ralsea could not be accounted for.

About nine o’clock a commotion in the camp announced the appearance of a messenger from Uraso. “My people not fighting your people. Illyas and Brabos ready to fight.”

Where were the Osagas? and with whom were John and party engaged? The night was dark, so that it was difficult to make any attempt at a forward movement, and they impatiently awaited news from the two chiefs.

Will and Jim were with the Professor constantly, and the latter referred to the remarkable exhibitions of feelings expressed by the Chief Uraso during the exciting events of the day.

“I always thought,” said Jim, “that a great many people at home show their excitement when anything happens, but it is nothing compared with the savages here. You can tell when anything unusual happens with them a mile off.”

“The matter of expressing feeling or emotion by physical expressions has characteristic national traits. Among civilized people the French show the most intense actions physically, while the German is the most voluble. The Italians can cast the darkest frown, and the Turks are the least affected outwardly. The Englishman is always cool and collected. John Bull is shown typically as a cautious, self-satisfied individual, and Uncle Sam is always pictured in the European comic as the alert character.”

“We noticed a big difference between two of the tribes here. The Saboros are a very quick people; quick in their actions, and will take offense readily. The Sebrees are much slower, and show sympathy or any excitement more slowly.”

“I was told by Uraso, the Osaga chief,” responded the Professor, “that he could distinguish his foes, when all other tests failed, by their manner of gesticulating, or in their movements, and this explains why, at great distances, they are so frequently able to distinguish people, when they are so far distant that their dress does not betray them.”

“It is wonderful how the people here, ignorant as they are, will observe little things.”

“Yes; a wise man may know little, and a fool much.”

The boys laughed at the remark. “Well, isn’t a wise man the one who knows the most?”

“By no means. A man may have read and read all his life, and not be able to utilize any of the things he has crammed himself with. The most valuable thing to man is the ability to utilize what comes to him. The common mistake of people is endeavoring to learn too much. The proper course in which education should be directed is to grasp the value of observation.”

When morning came the scouts reported a tribe of warriors to their left. Neither Ralsea nor Uraso had returned, but a messenger came in very early in the morning with the news that they awaited the result of the conflict between the Brabos and the Illyas.

“Can you ascertain who the people are to the west of us?”

“No; but the scouts are now in that direction, and we may soon be able to tell you.”

“Send some messenger forward to find Uraso and Ralsea, and inform them of the force at our left.”

A runner was dispatched in all haste. When Uraso and Ralsea went forward the night before, they had with them two of the fleetest runners in the tribe, and they took a course immediately to the north, and in the direction of the firing, avoiding the Brabos who were in their front.

It will be remembered that when the Brabos left the vicinity of the wagon, they went to the south, and then proceeded westwardly, before the Illyas came up. The direct line of the march of the two chiefs was, therefore, to the east of the Brabos, and as the latter continued to the west in their movement, they were obliged to go to the east to escape them.

“Who are the warriors coming from the west?” asked Ralsea.

“They look like the Illyas,” answered Uraso.

Moving farther to the north, this was found to be true.

“Your people are not here,” said Ralsea.

“Then they must be to the north,” answered Uraso.

It was evident that the Osagas had not been in the fight with the people in the wagon; but what did this array of forces mean, after the late fight?

Ralsea at once sent the messenger which arrived the night before, as stated, and the chiefs and remaining runner at once started for the north.

After the Kurabus had been scattered by the charge which John had conducted they circled around to the north, and afterwards went east and then south, thus completely encircling the wagon. Of this John and his associates had no knowledge. This tribe was, therefore, going south, in the attempt to assist their late allies in the fight with the Brabos.

When Ralsea and Uraso struck out for the north, in the hope that they would find the Osagas in that quarter, they ran into the Kurabus, who at once started in pursuit. The chiefs could not go to the south nor to the west, and their only line of retreat was to the east.

John and his companions knew that the Brabos and the Illyas were to the southwest and supposed that the Kurabus were to the north, and the most natural thing under the circumstances was to move to the southeast, as the route to Muro’s country was now clear.