“The romance of wheels is the most remarkable of anything in the history of the world. In nature there is nothing similar to it, so far as uses are concerned.”

“Do you know,” asked George, “about the origin of the wheel?”

“Its invention dates back beyond the time when history began. When man saw the moon it looked to him like a wheel, and may have suggested the idea of a wheel on which things could be rolled. When we stop to consider the vast importance of the wheel it amazes us to see how it forms the prime element in every industry in the world. The wheel and the lever are the two greatest mechanical elements in the universe.”

During the night John and Stut made a trip toward the village, and was surprised to find a well-beaten path leading from the northwest toward the village, and that the wagon was located not two hundred feet to the east of the trail.

The village was behind, or on the south side of a slight elevation, which was the reason why it was hidden from their view at the time they crossed the first river. John counted the huts, and found forty-two, of various sizes.

Conferring with Stut, in order to ascertain the number in each, he calculated the village to contain not less than two hundred and fifty, which would not by any means contribute the number of warriors which were in the party.

It was John’s idea, on returning to the wagon, to undertake the capture of the village, and he made the proposal at once. This seemed to be a wise plan, as it would put the women and children in their power, but Stut suddenly imparted the information that there was another village to the southwest, belonging to the same tribe, and this at once settled that plan, and it also answered the problem which bothered John.

Blakely, who had acquired considerable acquaintance with that region and the various tribes, was in favor of capturing the village, but the Professor was insistent that there was no desire to shed blood unnecessarily, and that the trip was not for the purpose of revenge, and the taking of the village, with the knowledge that the warriors might be reinforced by a great number, would mean war to the end.

“In your wanderings,” asked the Professor, “did you ever hear of any boys who were held in captivity by any of the natives?”

“Yes; a singular thing occurred about six months ago. I was then in the forest, and in my usual pilgrimage into the opening I stumbled on a band of one of the tribes to the east of the forest. They were on the large river which flows along the eastern boundary of the woods. They had several captives, and when they left the river carried a boat with them across the country from the river.

“The proceeding was one which I could not understand at the time. I was taken, on three different occasions, twice by the same band. I escaped each time. The fourth time was four days ago, when the Brabos got me. I was in captivity nearly three months with the Osagas, but they suffered a terrible defeat at the hands of the Tuolos, who live to the northwest.”

“We had a severe fight with them on our last trip, and we rescued the two boys here from them,” remarked the Professor.

“You were lucky to get away from them, as they are the terrors of the island. But allow me to proceed. While with the Osagas I acquired their jargon, for it is little better than that. Some of the tribes have practically the same language, and I judge that they were under the same chiefs in earlier times. The language of two of the tribes, at least, seems to be different, and it is probable that this may account in a measure for the continual enmity between them, arising from their misunderstandings.”

“I was captured by the Osagas, and regretted afterwards that I left them; but it is fortunate I did, as it was the means of taking me to the Professor and his friends,” remarked John.

“But I started out to tell you about the transportation of the boat,” continued Blakely. “From the Osagas I learned that several boys had been captured with the boat, and that they were in turn taken from that tribe by the people who live to the east of the Kurabus.”

“Do you know of anyone by the name of Wright or Walters?”

“Yes; Wright was one of our crew. Don’t you remember him? He was the one shot down when the master of the vessel first attempted to take possession. I may be mistaken, but I think Walters was one of the men allied with the mutineers.”

“Won’t you tell us some of your experiences when the vessel struck the shore?” asked John.

“Wright, who was with us when you left to go to the pantry to get some food, and also Champney, all agreed that you had been washed overboard before the boat struck. When I recovered my senses, I found an indescribable mass of wreckage all about me, and food was the first thing I searched for.

“I found one of the guns, and later on a revolver, but I had no ammunition except that in the weapons. Some few tins of provisions, and a crushed box of biscuits, all soaked with sea water, were all I could recover, and various articles of clothing, which I gathered together.

“As soon as strength began to come back to me I searched the beach in both directions, and found four dead bodies, one being the mutinous master, who was lying near the shore, and all had their pockets drawn out. This was sufficient information to assure me that some had been saved, but the rifling of the pockets of the unfortunates was something I could not understand, and I concluded that it was done by some of the devils who were on our vessel, or it had been the work of people on the island.”

“I recovered from the blow,” said John, “and found myself lying by the side of the master, and found the pockets rifled, as you say, and I regained my senses before you did, as I now see.”

“Yes; I recognized the footprints of several; faint traces only. I then followed the seacoast, in the hope or belief that if the island was inhabited, they would be near the coast. I traveled for miles, and then noting traces of people went inland, and the first tribe I ran across was the Tuolos.

“I debated for hours whether or not to throw myself into their hands. But a sight the third day decided me. A party was taking a captive to the sacrifice. Whether or not he was one of our companions I do not know. The sight so unnerved me that it did not occur to me that it might have been one of them.

“I fled to the south, and struck the forest. There I found numerous wild beasts, and they were really my salvation for months, as I afterwards learned that the savages had never been known to go far into the dense portions. I found a recess or cove among the rocky sides of an elevation, which I converted into a home, and from that place I could see across the intervening country to the large river.

“It gave me a good scouting position, and I saw many tribes and parties pass and repass, some of them many miles off, and witnessed two battles between hostiles, but I do not know what tribes they were. I soon became expert in providing food, as it was all I had to do.

“I would frequently, in my scouting trips, go to the river, and began to tire of my isolation. I made that my home for nearly eight months. I really grew desperate from the monotonous life, and the feeling that I must undertake something hazardous if I ever expected to escape from the hunted life in the forest.

“I still had four shots in the revolver, but the gun was useless without ammunition. But I took it with me, and the first day, after I crossed the river, I was surrounded by the Osagas. I was much more rugged than you see me now, and had a long beard. I tried to make friends with them, and succeeded in this pretty well, but they were attacked by the Brabos here, and treated most barbarously during the week I was a captive.

“One night I escaped and turned to my mountain home, and again fell into the hands of a party on the warpath, but of an entirely new tribe. They took me way to the south, and I learned, in a way which could not be mistaken, that I was to be offered up as a sacrifice, and when the time came I was frenzied with desperation, and the moment my arms and legs were free I seized the very club which was prepared for me and hewed my way through the warriors and gained my liberty.

“But this is tiring you. Twice more I was captured, and escaped once more, and the last time you came to the rescue.”

The story was listened to with the utmost eagerness. His tale, taken together with John’s and Ralph’s and Tom’s experiences, gave them the clue to the mystery of the lifeboat and two of the men mentioned in the note, but it did not lift the veil from the contents of the message.

It was plain now where the Tuolos got the guns which they had, but could not use, as explained when Ralph and Tom were captured.

CHAPTER IX

MARCH TO THE SOUTH. THE MESSAGE TO THE SABORO TRIBE

“I think the Professor is right in his diagnosis of the case. If we can get an ally, even though it may be the weakest tribe, it will give us a vantage ground to work on; and I further believe that we can, by that means, consolidate the weakest of the tribes, and thus secure the mastery, and release those who are in captivity, by that means much quicker than by attempting it unaided.”

The Professor’s views prevailed. It was now near noon, and no hostile party was in sight. The fort was stowed away, and the march to the southwest, to avoid the village, began.

Stut was brought into conference, and between John and Blakely, he was informed that they were on their way to his people. At first his eyes kindled, and he beckoned to his brother, because this relationship had now been established between them, and imparted the good news, and after a moment’s hesitation, their brows grew dark, and the party knew what that symptom meant.

John grasped a gun, and pointed to it, and Blakely taking the hint, advised them that they need not fear the result of the undertaking. This seemed to satisfy them, and with a greatly altered countenance took up the work of scouting on the left side of the wagon.

It was desirable to keep sufficiently far from the village to hide the movement of the wagon, and at the same time remain close enough so that they would not be brought into the vicinity of the other village to the south.

Thus the march proceeded forward for fully two hours without an incident. Then John signaled a halt. He had reached the well-beaten trail or highway between the two villages, and this must be patrolled in both directions before the wagon could be sent across.

The necessity of this was apparent when it is understood that they were now in comparative open ground, and only an occasional tree was in sight. Stut ran in and pointed to the south, and John went forward, and was quickly enlightened at the sight. Coming up from the lower village were the warriors, reinforced by a considerable number. They were more than a mile away, and the order was given to erect the fort.

Long before they came in the immediate vicinity they were ready to receive them, and the utmost quiet was observed. The band passed without observing them, and as soon as they disappeared at a safe distance, the fort was again reinstalled on the wagon, and the hurried march recommenced.

A considerable distance was covered before night, and they congratulated themselves on getting rid of the Brabos so easily. Camp was made for the night at a spring that flowed from the rocks alongside a hill, and which also afforded them protection for the night.

Referring to the matter of his wanderings, Blakely, during the course of the evening, said, “The most trying thing I experienced, during all of my travels, were the winds about five months ago. For fully three days I could hardly move from place to place.”

“That was during the period of the monsoons, and you will remember, it was a year after we had our terrible experience,” answered John.

“I had forgotten that,” he replied.

“I suppose then that they come regularly each year.”

“They really come twice a year. In one period they blow in one direction and at the other period in the other direction.”

“I also noticed that, and I presume we may expect the one from the southeast in another month.”

“Quite true; but those from that direction are not so severe.”

“I recall that they have the Siroccos in Italy, which blow across the Mediterranean, from the northern shores of Africa; and the simoons of Arabia are also terrific while they last.”

“The most trying winds I ever experienced,” said the Professor, “were the Kamsen winds of Egypt and the Harmattan which blow over Africa from the eastern side, owing to the heated atmosphere. They are literally like ovens in their intensity.”

“It is one fortunate thing about the winds here, they are not hot or stifling, especially not these which come in the autumn.”

The hill to the back of them, and against which the wagon was placed, close to the precipitous rocks, afforded protection in that direction, so that the pickets were required for the exposed positions only. Blakely took a hand in the watch during the night, and Stut, with his brother, insisted on doing double duty in that direction.

The timber was thicker here than at any other place along the route since they had left the Brabos country. Hickory, oak, walnut, a species of ash, as well as Cyprus, were found in abundance as well as many varieties of valuable shrubs, rubber plants, and the like, and some of the most beautiful flowers, far exceeding those in the northern portion of the island.

“It seems singular to me,” remarked Harry, during the course of the evening, “that all the savages live in the southern and western portions of the Island. We happened to be cast ashore at the eastern end and remained there, while all the others seemed to reach the western part and thus came into contact with the savages without any trouble.”

“They have found, by living here, that this part is the most desirable, from a climatic standpoint,” answered the Professor. “The knowledge of the most suitable spots is one acquired by all peoples in the different countries. When the Spanish priests established the Missions on the Pacific coast, they found the villages located at certain points in the interior, and a study of the places so selected, showed remarkable knowledge.”

“I found that condition of things in the remotest portions of Africa,” said John. “The most primitive inhabitants had the capacity to occupy locations which could not be improved on by the knowledge of the white man. As the Professor says, all the Missions in California are located at such vantage points, which were usually the site of the Indian villages.”

“In what respect were those locations better than others?”

“The winds were usually a factor in deciding the places for the villages. This will be found particularly true on this island. The monsoons which blow the hardest in this region, as we all know, come from the north. The return winds come from the southeast. In the one case the trees and the elevations protect them from the north, and the mountain range affords shelter from the east.”

Before morning a severe storm set in, and later was accompanied by a rainfall, which decided them to rest until it abated, so that it was past noon before the weather conditions were such as to enable them to go forward.

Chump’s wonderful constitution was bringing him around and healing his wound rapidly, and he was out of the wagon, and made short trips each day. His deportment had entirely changed. Instead of being glum and morose, as was his habit earlier in the days of captivity, he began to examine things with interest, and talked and laughed with his fellows.

The remarkable one of the four Saboros was Stut’s brother. He was the most powerful of the lot, and by far the brightest, as he grasped questions propounded by John and Blakely, with the utmost keenness. In physical proportions he was the equal of Chief. He was more voluble than either of the others, and judging from the manner in which he treated many of Angel’s antics, he must have been a wit in his tribe.

One thing was noticed from the first, and that was the deference which the other three always accorded him. John was the first to notice this, and the observing eye of the Professor was also quick to detect it.

“From the indications I am inclined to believe that Stut’s brother is more than the ordinary individual in his tribe. I have noticed that in our scouting Stut never attempted to do anything until his brother was consulted.” And John related many incidents of like character.

“Suppose we endeavor to ascertain his position,” responded the Professor. “It would not surprise me to learn that he is a chief, and if so it will be a strong factor.”

John was quick to question Stut, and together with Blakely, it did not take long to satisfy themselves on this point. When captured neither of them had sufficient clothing to show the rank to which they were entitled, and the certain knowledge that he was a man of distinction in his tribe, was a most pleasing thing.

George requested John to learn his name, and this was a matter easily ascertained. Indeed they might have known this earlier, were it not for the stirring scenes which they had passed through since the rescue, as Stut was heard to mention the name Muro on many occasions, but during these conversations it had never been associated with his name.

He was, notwithstanding his size, exceedingly light of foot, and could throw a spear with great accuracy and to enormous distances. The heavy bows which they had were simply playthings in his hands. The guns were the most fascinating things to him, and he was constantly questioning about them, and admiring the workmanship.

When Stut pointed out Harry, and told him that he had made the guns, and in his language pictured out the wonderful workshops at the Cataract, he could not keep his eyes from him, and walking over to Harry put his arm around him, and patted him on the shoulder, and finally rubbed Harry’s nose with his own.

The Professor instantly recognized this tribute, and said: “That is a sign that you are his eternal friend. You may depend on him to the extent of his own life. It is a way many savages have of indicating love and devotion.”

Stut easily recognized the Professor as the leader of the expedition, and walked over and performed the same rite with him, to the extreme gratification of all. It was not necessary for him to do more than he had in the past to show his affection for John.

Gratitude, if earned, as it was in this case, is a tie which the savage regards as sacred. The Professor selected one of the guns, and presented it to Muro, and showed him how to fit in the cap and to load it, and this token was exhibited in a manner that could not be mistaken.

Harry went to one of the lockers and brought forth small mirrors which had been made, and handed one to each of the warriors, and each thanked Harry in a voluble manner. The three warriors were then each invested with guns, but they knew that it would not be wise to do any practicing in that locality.

Blakely, who had been an officer in the army years before, conceived the idea that it would be a good thing to practice drilling, and this caught the fancy of the boys, who ranged themselves in line, and with the guns went through an evolution of arms. All the boys had been taught this on shipboard as part of the regular routine, and the precision with which this was done excited the admiration of the Saboros.

When John and the Professor also took up the guns and stood in line, the natives did likewise, and imitated every movement, with greater or less skill. The marching tactics were also shown, and they became willing and interested participants.

“It is too bad,” said George, “that we can’t have an exhibition of firing.”

“We may get plenty of that later on,” answered John.

They were instructed how to care for the guns, and the caps were purposely kept off, so they would not be accidentally fired. All this was done in preparation for the time when the services might be needed.

“A fighting force of eleven, with guns and plenty of ammunition, is sufficient to lick the whole island, if we understand our business,” was Blakely’s comment, after viewing the brigade in his front.

Thus, at each step, the success of the mission seemed assured. Allies had been secured on whom they could place confidence, and they started forward with an earnestness and a determination never before possessed.

On the way were numerous springs, which formed rivulets of clear, cold water. The landscape was beautiful in every direction. It could be readily understood why this was such an attractive portion of the island. The soil was a dark, rich loam, but scarcely a foot of it was tilled by the natives.

Some of the tribes, as Blakely observed, planted a few vegetables, but aside from that the principal occupation was hunting game, and the more delectable occupation, on the part of some tribes, to capture their fellows, and offer them up as sacrifices to their deities. What a Paradise this Island of Wonder could be made if the people were governed by a directing hand.

How the Professor’s heart must have longed to be able to show these people the advantages of peace and harmony. No doubt he contemplated this many times, and in his talks this was frequently alluded to.

As evening was approaching the wagon was halted at one of the sweet springs, and the Saboros, under the order of Muro, scattered out to form the guard for the camp. The fort was erected as usual, and the evening meal prepared. An ample supply of food was apportioned out for each of the guards, and the boys were about to take them to the watchers, but Muro would not permit this, and compelled each to come in for the purposes of the meal.

John was depended on to keep the camp in proper safety, and Muro recognized this as his function, and when later on he came to John and beckoned him to follow, the latter knew that something of more than ordinary importance was developing.

On the way toward the northwest, from which they had come, there was an evident movement, which could be perceived in the bright moonlight. Muro pointed to the earth and moved his hand along, and John was quick to grasp the situation and its meaning. He meant that the savages were trailing them by the wheels of the wagon, and this was made doubly easy on account of the heavy rain of the day previous.

The movement in front was plainly visible to those accustomed to such things, and the situation was carried to the wagon without delay. No attack was anticipated during the night, and they had plenty of time to plan their defense.

Who were the enemy? Muro did not know, but it was doubtless those who had thus kept on their trail for two days, in the hope that they would be held in check by the Kurabus to the south of them.

Calling John and Blakely into consultation, the Professor again suggested the plan of sending word to the Saboros through the chief Muro, or his brother, Stut. The wisdom of this course was now apparent, so Muro was called in, and the plan outlined.

He comprehended the situation at once, and immediately called in Stut, to whom he explained the nature of his mission. Without a word, he was provided with all the arrows which could be found, and given one of the spears, and before leaving George had prepared a package of food, which was gratefully accepted.

All this was done with so much celerity and in such a businesslike manner that the boys readily understood that whatever may be said of savages, it impressed on them the earnestness and the obedient spirit that characterized all their movements.

CHAPTER X

THE CAPTURE OF THE PROFESSOR

“Now every object in nature also has resistance. It objects to a change of form or direction.”

“I can understand that, but I do not see where the other two come in.”

“Well, nature is reciprocal in its tendencies. It gives and takes, so to say. If you heat water and set it aside, it will cool off in course of time. If the water should be placed in a receptacle that had air in it, the water would cool down, and the air would become warmer at the same time, and the heats would reciprocate—that is, become of the same temperature.”

Then, if you should heat up different subjects at the same time it would be found that some would require double the length of time to take up the same amount of heat. Suppose we take a pound of iron and a pound of aluminum. In the case of iron it would absorb, say 100 units of heat in ten minutes, whereas it would take fifteen minutes for the aluminum. If the heat is withdrawn it will be found that it takes the aluminum fifty per cent longer to give off its heat than the iron, and thus the process is equalized.”

When morning came the savages were seen in force to the northwest, and Muro’s prediction that the Brabos were on the trail was found to be correct.

This was the first time this tribe had ever faced the white men. As was afterwards learned, they had a knowledge of the existence of the “Fire Fiends,” as they were designated, but they now had to learn something first hand.

As soon as the sun had arisen sufficiently to distinguish objects well they moved up, keeping for the time at a safe distance, and Muro took delight in showing himself to his late captors. This caused a chorus of howls, at which Muro laughed.

At a signal they started forward, launching their arrows, when within shooting distance, and without stopping, poised their spears and rushed forward. At a signal seven shots rang out, and the leaders fell. Seven more guns were brought into position. The charge halted, and the Professor advised all to reload. Muro saw the wonderful execution, and danced about in glee, but he could not understand why the shooting was not continued. It was such an unheard-of proceeding.

Without stopping to gather the wounded, they retreated to a safe distance, and the party had an opportunity to count the number of the attacking party. All agreed that over a hundred were engaged, and it was evident that the Brabo village to the south had been called to assist.

They surrounded the wagon at a safe distance, and the siege was begun. This could have been done only on the theory that starvation would compel a sortie or surrender. They had no idea of the number within the fort, but they knew what the effect of the fire had been, and they respected that warning.

Muro was instructed to confer with them, and to say that they had no hostile intentions, and this was conveyed to them, but the only response was that the whites had commenced the hostilities by taking their prisoners from them; which was true.

There was no common ground on which they could enter into a treaty with them, and the question now was to fight their way out as best they could.

“We might remain here for the day and night, and if we find they persist in besieging us, must continue to the south, and fight them as we go.”

All agreed to the Professor’s proposal; and they settled themselves to the more comfortable pastime of waiting for the morning. A most careful watch was kept up all night, and on two occasions parties stole up in order to secure more advantageous positions, but the chief Muro and his friends were too much on the alert to give them any advantage.

The wounded savages were removed by their friends in the night, and as soon as breakfast was over the entire party ranged alongside the wagon and headed for the south. This direction, it will be understood, would bring them directly into the heart of the Kurabus’ territory.

If the two tribes were hostile toward each other this might be a factor in their favor, but if friendly it would certainly mean a bitter fight. Muro advised a southwesterly course, and this would, of course, avoid the necessity of fighting both tribes, but it might also lead them into another tribe just as hostile.

The direct route to Muro’s tribe was to the south, or rather to the southeast. It was a difficult problem to decide. They must force the issue, be it right or wrong.

“We must ascertain from Muro how long it will take Stut to reach the tribe,” suggested John.

“He says two days, and two days more to get the people in motion. Muro was pretty smart. He says he instructed them to attack the Kurabus on the south, and that would divert them from us, but the trouble is that he has hardly reached them yet, and before night we may be within the territory of the Kurabus.”

A southwesterly course was decided on, and the Brabos followed. Evidently they had no fear of the Kurabus, and the intervening time might have been employed by them in sending runners to inform them of the invasion. All these things had to be taken into consideration.

The camp that evening was made at a running brook, and in the open, as usual. The camp was again surrounded, and pickets were established to keep them at a safe distance. There was no indication of the appearance of the Kurabus, and this relieved the situation somewhat.

When morning came the besiegers were nowhere in sight, and this meant one of two things; either that they had given up the fight in sheer disgust, or that the Kurabus were at hand.

The country became more broken as they advanced, and the continual ascent indicated a ridge of some extent, and this might be the dividing line between the limitations of the tribes on the different sides, just as they had found the streams to effect this division, and this was also pointed out by John and Blakely.

The best trails were selected by John who was in the advance with Muro, and at noon stopped within a valley which had a curious rock formation that attracted the eye of the Professor. The old instinct, to discover minerals, was too strong for him to resist, and with a pick was soon prospecting along the rocky walls.

He was gone for an hour before his absence was particularly noted, and George was the first to direct attention to it. John and one of the Saboros started to the south in the direction taken by him, and returned in less than a half hour without any tidings.

It was certain he had gone to the south, and the wagon was set in motion, and hurried forward. All was excitement now. Both sides of the ridge were examined, and indications found where the rock had been chipped and samples set aside.

As John crossed one of the ridges, he saw in the distance a band of savages moving rapidly to the southeast, but too far distant to be able to distinguish the individuals containing it. When Muro came up, he gazed forward, and his sharp, piercing eyes were sufficient to confirm their fears.

The Professor had been captured!

This startling news was conveyed to the boys, and their grief was heartrending to witness. They moved about from place to place without knowing what to say or do. The tears came in spite of their efforts.

“What shall we do?” asked Harry through his tears.

“We must follow them,” answered John, “but the wagon cannot travel fast enough for that. Muro and one of the Saboros will accompany me, and Blakely, you remain with the boys, and follow as I direct.”

Then going to the highest point of the hill, he pointed to the south. “See the end of the forest in the distance, which may be five miles beyond. You will see the glimpse of the river there. To the east of that is an elevation, with trees very distinctly outlined. That will be your objective point. Make for that place as rapidly as possible, unless you get information from us to the contrary.”

“That is the forest where I made my home,” said Blakely. “I know every foot of this country, and all down beyond that point. Within ten miles of that place is a savage village, and my opinion is that they are the ones who have the Professor.”

“Muro has just informed me that the Osagas live in that neighborhood, or somewhat farther to the west, and beyond the river is another tribe called the Berees.”

The boys looked at John. “Weren’t you captured by them, and was not Chief from that tribe?”

“Yes, but my impression is that the Osagas are to the east of the place indicated.”

If the Osagas captured the Professor there was some hope, because they did not believe Chief would permit him to be ill-treated. They had still to account for one, if not two, tribes in the south of the island, and of whom they knew nothing, except the slightest rumors.

John selected six of the guns, and an ample supply of ammunition, and as the chief and his associates had been drilled in the use of the weapons since the last fight, it was felt that with the spears they carried they would be a match for a pretty good force.

Thus equipped they plunged forward in the direction of the disappearing band.

Let us follow the movements of the Professor. In his eagerness to collect samples, he went much farther than he intended, and left the wagon without taking anything in the shape of a weapon. When he had proceeded less than a half mile from the wagon, he was surrounded by a dozen warriors, whose headdress proclaimed them to be a tribe entirely different from any that they had formed the acquaintance of, and as he saw resistance was useless, quietly submitted, and tried by all his arts to induce them to accompany him.

But to all his efforts they turned a deaf ear, and without waiting hurried him across the ridge and along the southern incline. The pick was taken away from him, and his clothing examined, but to his surprise nothing was taken from his pockets, although he carried a small knife, and other trinkets that the boys had made.

The march was kept up for fully four hours directly to the south and then turned to the east, and shortly before night the village came into view. His arrival created great excitement; and all turned out to welcome the strange man.

Months before this the Professor, in the course of his experimental work, had made what is called synthetic food—that is, the same material substances as are used in any particular vegetable, are combined to have the same food qualities as the real article, and when put up in tablet form it requires but a small compass to give as much nutriment as a full meal.

It was fortunate that this and the other contents of his pockets were not removed at the time of the capture, because those tablets became a wonderful agent, as the subsequent story will show.

When he arrived his captors took him to the chief at once, and he treated the head of the tribe with the greatest deference. The house of the chief was the most pretentious in the village, as there were three rooms to be seen, and passing by the open passageway at one side he saw a child, probably ten years of age, lying on a couch.

Evidently it was suffering, as its wan and drawn face indicated. After making his deference to the chief, he turned to the little sufferer, and the women shrieked and threw themselves in his way. He turned to the chief, and pointed to the child, and moved in that direction.

The chief gave an order, and the women stepped aside. The Professor knelt down and took the child’s hand and felt its brow, while the chief looked on in astonishment. Turning to the chief he motioned for water, and indicated this by making the motion of pouring water from glass to glass.

It was instantly understood, and when the water came, in a small gourd, he asked for another, or smaller vessel. Then reaching in his pockets he drew forth one of the small vials which the boys had made, and poured a small portion into the small gourd, and forced some of it past the lips of the little sufferer.

All this was done in silence, and they looked on him with awe. His white hair and long snowy beard, the kindliness of his face, and his brave demeanor seemed to impress them in a wonderful way.

At an order from the chief the warriors and attendants disappeared, and he was left by the side of the couch, holding the sufferer’s hand.

In less than a half hour the attendants brought a bountiful supply of food, but he waived them aside, and remained there undisturbed for fully two hours, during which time he had administered three doses of the medicine.

The chief came in, and, taking him by the hand, led him away, and did all in his power to express his thanks for the service. One of the three rooms was assigned to him, and during the night he went to the patient many times, and to his gratification by morning the fever was broken, and the child began to perspire freely.

When the chief came in and saw the condition of the little girl his gratification was beyond all bounds. The Professor witnessed, for the first time, how savage affection for their own can be just as intense as among civilized tribes.

The chief led him outside and pointed to the north, indicating that he was ready to take him back to his friends; but the Professor shook his head, and pointed to the child. This amazed the chief, and he could hardly believe in the refusal of his captive to leave.

During the afternoon he was surprised to notice the arrival of a large number of warriors, who had, evidently, returned from some skirmish, as they carried several wounded, and also three prisoners, who were incarcerated in a hut near the center of the village.

No restraint whatever was placed on his movements, and he wandered from place to place, and witnessed the wailings of several women who heard of the deaths of their own kindred. The Professor reproached himself, as he thought of the suffering he had, unwillingly, caused to others, but it could not be helped.

One of the men was severely wounded by the thrust of a spear, and the Professor instantly saw that he was suffering from internal bleeding. Pushing aside the men who surrounded him, the Professor knelt down, changed the position of the bleeding warrior, and pressed his hand against the artery which led to the wound.

His presence there, and the peremptory manner in which he undertook the relief, astonished the new arrivals, but it was for a moment only, when the hurried tales which spread from one to the other circulated among the crowd, and as the chief stepped forward and noticed the Professor he gave a command which plainly showed that his work had been appreciated.

The Professor held his hand on the artery for fully an hour, until the blood clots began to form, and thus staunched the flow. The other wounded ones were attended to immediately after the critical patient had been put into a safe condition.

The men, women and children followed him around, as he moved from place to place. Returning to the chief’s child, he found a slight fever, but this soon abated, and the second day the little patient began to assume a brighter appearance.

During all this time the Professor had not partaken of a mouthful of the food offered him. His only nutriment was obtained from the tablets referred to. The chief could not understand this. Their amazement was intensified when he again refused food the third day.

The Professor was, of course, playing a part. Mystery is the most potent thing with uncivilized tribes. He knew that John and the boys would be able to take care of themselves, and felt sure that before long he would hear from them. He was making a strong ally of these people, and the proper course was pursued to bring this about.

He would have been able at any time after the first day to go back to his companions, and to add to his service something mysterious would make his power over them more potent than the mere healing.

It should also be understood that the motive behind this had another meaning. All tribes have their own physicians, or medicine men, and the great factor of strength with them is the mysteries with which they are able to shroud their cures. To heal the chief’s child, or to perform any other cures, would mean the bitter and vindictive hatred of that class.

It was necessary, therefore, that he should be able to do that which was beyond their power to perform. To live without eating would be such an extraordinary power that it must impress them. The medicine men performed their incantations, but he made no objections, and it was plain that his ministrations were distasteful to them, when he saw their frowning faces.

The chief’s power, and the grateful looks of the one which first received his attention, were sufficient to assure him that the policy he had pursued was successful.

Meanwhile, what were his friends doing to rescue him? John and the two Saboros plunged across the hills much faster than it was possible to urge the team. The trail was soon discovered by his associates, and they stopped only when night fell. After partaking a hurried meal, they again moved forward for an hour, when voices were heard in the distance.

The mumblings grew more and more distinct, and when they halted were surprised to find a considerable body of savages ahead. If this was the same tribe which captured the Professor it must have been reinforced by a considerable body, as there were not more than a dozen in the party which took him.

Moving to the left quite a distance, in order to avoid them, they came unexpectedly on another body, still more numerous. Here was a mystery which John could not solve for the moment. Muro was the first to catch the meaning of it. This was a hostile tribe, and they were waiting for the morning before attacking.

It now appeared evident that the Professor’s captors were with one or the other of these warring factions, and they withdrew to the north, and found an elevation near by, so that they might be able to follow the events of the next day.

But the wagon was coming up in the rear. It must be intercepted, and the three scouted to the north in order to discover whether it had moved up near enough to the position before night fell. The night passed without finding the wagon. Undoubtedly they had made camp before reaching the comparatively level country now occupied.

In the morning the two tribes maneuvered, and the fight began. It would have been bad policy to mix in the affair, but Muro approached as close as possible in order to discover who the combatants were. When he returned his only words were: Osagas and Berees.

The latter were a new tribe to John, but he was gratified to know that the Osagas were so near, and it greatly increased his interest in the affair.

CHAPTER XI

FINDING MORE OF THE INVESTIGATOR’S BOYS

The boys were very low-spirited, when they learned of the battle in their front. To move farther during that day and night would be folly. The way in front must be cleared. The next day the two forces were still facing each other. In spite of all the wit and ingenuity of the Saboros and John not a glimpse could be obtained of the Professor. They had no fear for him if he was in the hands of the Osagas.

It was not until the fourth day that the Professor began to have some doubts and misgivings on the part of his own people.

He knew a battle had taken place somewhere, but he did not connect it with the conflict which John and Muro had witnessed. With a view of learning something of the tribe with which the warriors were engaged, he went to the miserable hut, almost in the center of the village where they had been taken on the first day.

There, cooped in a small place, were seven prisoners, two of them very small in comparison with the others, and both exceedingly filthy. The moment the Professor made his appearance one of them ran to him screaming, and crying out: “Professor—how did you come here?”

He was too much overpowered to answer for the moment. The other boy turned and burst into tears. “Oh, help us,” was all he said. The cries of the boys brought the inhabitants to the hut. The guards made no opposition to the Professor’s movements.

The chief appeared immediately, and as the Professor saw him approaching, put his arms about the boys, and led them out. Then walking up to the chief, with a terrible frown in his face, demanded why they had been treated in this manner. It was a strong, bold play, but it accomplished the purpose, for when the Professor pointed to the filthy rags that covered the poor fellows an order from the chief was quick to bring them clothing.

The boys cowered when they saw the peremptory manner in which he approached the chief, and the boys could not help the tears from coming, at the joy of deliverance.

“Oh, tell us, Professor, why you are here? Have you seen any of the other boys? There are some others on the island, but we do not know where they are.”

“I am a prisoner, as well as yourselves, and was taken only four days ago, but have no fear for your safety.”

“But if you are a prisoner, why did you talk to the chief in that way?”

“He is under some obligations to me; but come along with me, and fix yourselves up;” and to the amazement of the boys he led them into the chief’s house. The chief pointed to the boys and to the Professor as he spoke to the latter. The Professor nodded, and put his arms about the boys as before.

“How long have you been here?” he asked.

“Oh, a long time; more than six months. Some of the boys may still be free; but they are way east of here, a great many miles.”

“How do you know they are east of this many miles?”

“Because there is where we were captured.”

“Can you understand any of the language?”

“Yes; we can talk with them a little.”

“I am glad to know that. Now I will see that you get water for taking a bath. How long is it since you have had a bath?”

“Not since we were made prisoners.”

“Is there a river near here?”

“The river is at the foot of the hill to the east.”

“Which direction does it flow?”

“To the southwest.”

“Take this clothing with you, and let us go to the river.”

“Will they let us go?”

“Never mind; follow me, and take everything for granted.”

They passed out of the door, and through the crowd, and marched unmolested to the stream, which was not five hundred feet away. The savages followed, but the Professor waved them back in an imperious manner, and they halted without a protest.

“You act as though you were the chief. How did you happen to be the chief’s guest?”

“I cured his daughter, and this is his grateful way of repaying me. But I have a secret to impart to you, and you must obey my injunctions. During our stay on the island I equipped a laboratory, and among other things made a synthetic food, which is put up in small tablets.

“I have eaten nothing that they know of since my arrival but these tablets, and it was such a marvelous thing that it has made my influence far greater than the power of their medicine men. When we return the chief will, no doubt, have a meal ready for us. Do not be surprised if I do not eat. Act as though it was natural for me to live without eating.”

“But are we going back again? Why can’t we escape?”

“We don’t want to escape, without their aid.”

The boys were astounded at this statement.