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diff --git a/21810-8.txt b/21810-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..65c47f2 --- /dev/null +++ b/21810-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7982 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Wonder Island Boys: Treasures of the +Island, by Roger Thompson Finlay + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Wonder Island Boys: Treasures of the Island + + +Author: Roger Thompson Finlay + + + +Release Date: June 11, 2007 [eBook #21810] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS: TREASURES +OF THE ISLAND*** + + +E-text prepared by Joe Longo and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed +Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 21810-h.htm or 21810-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/8/1/21810/21810-h/21810-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/8/1/21810/21810-h.zip) + + + + + +THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS + +by + +ROGER T. FINLAY + +A new series of books, each complete in itself, relating the remarkable +experiences of two boys and a man, who are cast upon an island in the +South Seas with absolutely nothing but the clothing they wore. By the +exercise of their ingenuity they succeed in fashioning clothing, tools +and weapons and not only do they train nature's forces to work for them +but they subdue and finally civilize neighboring savage tribes. The +books contain two thousand items of interest that every boy ought to +know. + + THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS + The Castaways + + THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS + Exploring the Island + + THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS + The Mysteries of the Caverns + + THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS + The Tribesmen + + THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS + The Capture and Pursuit + + THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS + The Conquest of the Savages + + THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS + Adventures on Strange Islands + + THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS + Treasures of the Islands + + _Large 12mo, cloth. Many illustrations. + 60 cents per vol., postpaid._ + + PUBLISHED BY + THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY + 147 FOURTH AVENUE NEW YORK + + + * * * * * + + +TREASURES OF THE ISLANDS + +[Illustration: "_The scout from the rear now came in with a leap_" +[See p. 27]] + + + + +THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS + +TREASURES OF THE ISLANDS + +by + +ROGER T. FINLAY + +Illustrated + + + + + + + +[Illustration] + + +The New York Book Company +New York +Copyright, 1915, by +The New York Book Company + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER + +I. THE PECULIAR SIGNALS Page 15 + + The doleful sound. The Alma Perdita. "Cry of the Lost + Soul." John, Uraso and Muro listening to the signals of + the enemies. The night watch. Stalking. The answering + cry. The Konotos. Sacrificial feasts. The dark of the + moon. Its significance. The language of birds and + animals. Their meaning. Discovery of cannibals. The + telltale bone. Evidence of more than one tribe. Strange + customs. Sacrifices of ancient times. Mexican rites. + Superstitions. Previous history of the boys. Varney, + Uraso and Muro. The Professor. The wreck and adventures. + John's search for records, and inscriptions. Mysterious + happenings. Waiting for morning. The plan outlined. The + days of the sacrifices. Determine to prevent the killing + of captives. Discovery of the natives in vicinity. + Investigating the hills. + +II. THE SAVAGES ON THE HILL Page 26 + + John's instructions. John and Muro scouting. The natives + intercepting Uraso. Preparing to resist the attack. The + signaling instrument. A shot. A hurried report from the + scout. Sending a messenger to Muro. The puzzled natives. + Muro attacked. Marching east. Muro in danger. Making a + demonstration. The weird drums. The ambush. The approach + of the natives. The attempt to be friendly. The Chief's + refusal. The appearance of Uraso. Uraso's ruse. The + savages confounded. Muro surrounded. His escape. The + savages retreating. Muro's story. Muro's efforts to make + friends of the natives. Driving them from the woods. The + sea of the east. The runner to the landing. The peculiar + drums. The Marimba. The mountain deer. + +III. CAPTURE OF THE VILLAGE Page 38 + + The trying time at night. No selfishness in education. + The evening talks. Astronomy and early humanity. Savage + rites determined and carried out by the signs of the + stars. The Zodiac. Its origin. The universal + superstitions. A common origin. The continents. The + theory of a mid-Atlantean continent. The theory of the + joined continents. Language as a criterion of the unity + of the races. The pyramids. The tales of the Egyptian + priests. The deep sea soundings by the ship _Challenger_. + The beating of the weird drums in the night. Evidence of + the natives' belief in witch doctors. The plan of advance + outlined by John. The boys, accompanied by John and + portion of the force advancing. Nearing the village. + Hearing the shouting and the drums. Causes of the + demonstrations. A captive. At the edge of the village. A + curious proceeding. A huge Chief. The witch doctors. + Their fantastic garb. The Chief's defiance. Demands + return of the captured Chief. Asks John to surrender. + Commands the Korinos to destroy captive. They bring + forward Tarra, their own messenger. The warning. The + shot. + +IV. RESCUING A WHITE CAPTIVE Page 53 + + Tarra freed. When captured. The fallen witch doctor. The + surprise. The warning from Uraso. Exorcising the bad + spirits. The influence of noise on savage minds. The gun + silencers. The savages insist on aiding their fallen + witch doctor. The shot with the silencer. The awe + produced. John the white Korino. The terror among the + natives. The Chief retreats. Entering the village. The + Chief and people flee. The reserves come up. The sick and + wounded in the village. A prison stockade. Rescuing + prisoners. Their terrible plight. A white captive. The + stockade burned. Learning about the tribes on the island. + The messenger to the Chief. The latter's message. John's + bold march to see the Chief. Astounded at John's bravery. + John's peace pact with the Chief. The return to the + village. The Chief assured of the friendship of John and + his people. Learning about the other tribe. One sun to + the north. The Chief told why the white Chief was so + powerful. Wisdom. John's practical example to the Chief. + +V. RETURN OF THE NATIVES Page 66 + + Trinkets. Adornments for the natives. Gifts. The day + appointed for the sacrifices. John and party invited by + the Chief. John sends for the gifts. The _Pioneer_ at the + landing. Sails to the native village. The Korinos called + before the Chief. He demands that they produce the + captives for sacrifice. The Korinos learn of the + destruction of the stockade, and the release of the + captives. The Chief condemns the Korinos to take their + places. John secures delay. At the beach. The natives + gathering clams for the feast. The Korinos and their + caves. A sail. The boys spread the news. The signal. The + natives wonder at the sight of the vessel. The _Pioneer_. + The feast that night. Spitting meat. The natives' + customs. Vegetables. The drink. Arialad. The value of the + root. Ginseng. + +VI. THE SAVAGE CEREMONIALS Page 78 + + The day for the ceremonies. The native cloth weaving. + Dyeing. Black and red. The grotesque figures. The spears. + The colored streamers. The covered points. The flag idea. + A brilliant scheme by the boys. The band for the + ceremonies. A procession. The ship's band. The leader. + The enthusiasm in the village. The dancing natives. + Arranging the order of the procession. The tall man and + huge spear. The Korinos. The band and the flag at the + procession. The leader. The magnolia trees. The march to + the forest. The great tree on the hill. The ceremony. + Striking the tree. The flower at the top. How it was + brought down. The rite of the flower. Incineration. The + powder. The dance. Return of the procession. + +VII. SIGNIFICANCE OF NATIVE RITES Page 88 + + Fasting before the feast. Great success of the ceremony. + The significance of the flower rites. Ancient origin of + rites. Explaining customs which followed the practice of + scalping. Head hunters. The hair token. The flower before + the fruit. The Druids. The ceremonia of the mistletoe. + The antidote. The oak as a sacred tree. The great feast + after the ceremony. Table implements. The Korinos. Where + they were imprisoned. Prepared for the sacrifice. Their + attempted escape. Gluttony. Habits of savages in this + respect. The siesta. The boys discover the escape of the + Korinos. The Marmozets. The tall native with the knotted + club. His remarkable garb. The Chief's crown. The + club-bearer reports the escape of the Korinos. The + Chief's anger. Arrests the guards. Condemns them to + suffer instead of the Korinos. The procession to the + place of sacrifice. The sacrificial altar. + +VIII. HYPNOTISM ON SAVAGES Page 100 + + John's suggestion to the Chief. Asks that he be made the + executioner. Uraso's address to the culprits. Their + terror. Mysticism. Hypnotic influences. Mesmerism. + Constant repetitions. Mystic numbers. The spell on all + the natives. The effect of the mesmeric influence on the + Chief. The rigid subjects. John the peerless Korino. The + threats against the witch doctors. Bringing the victims + to life. Amazement of the people. The Chief's address to + his people. The return to the village. The feast. The + mystic third. The dance at the end of the festival. To + settle the fate of the Korinos. The recovery of the + faculties of the white captive. His story. The identity + of the skeleton found on Venture Island. Identified with + Walter. The story which was doubted by John. The rescued + natives. The Maloses. Ta Babeda. The tribe to the north. + Distributing the gifts. The delight of the Chief. Telling + him about the wonders of Wonder Island. The invitation to + the Chief. + +IX. THE REMARKABLE CAVE EXPLORATIONS Page 113 + + The Umbolos, to the north. The supposed cannibals. + Determine to visit them. Preparing for the expedition. + Chief Ta Babeda cautions John against the cannibal Chief + Rumisses. John requests permission to take the Korinos + with him. He consents provided John will enter the cave + and take them. The trip to the cave. The Chief + accompanies John to the cave. Superstitions about the + caves. Why no one but the Korinos dare enter the caves. + The hill near the ocean. The cove near the entrance of + the cave. The flashlights. Lighting the caverns. + Evidences of habitations. The escape of the Korinos. + Following the trail. The outlet to the south. Tracked to + the north. Uraso and Muro follow the fugitives. Their + flight to the cannibal tribe. John and the boys return to + explore the cave. A new series of caverns. A succession + of four chambers. A large round chamber at the end of the + lead. A mound in the center of the chamber. Removing the + material in the mound. Discovery of the copper box. + Peculiar character of the box. + +X. THE TRIBE TO THE NORTH Page 125 + + The copper box taken to the ship. News from Uraso and + Muro. Explaining mesmerism and hypnotism. Concentration. + The effect on susceptible minds. The Korinos safe with + the cannibal tribe. John advises Stut to sail, north for + twenty miles, and await their coming. The march. The + cinnamon tree. Cinnamon suet. Minerals. Sulphates. Copper + ores. Omens. All peoples believe in signs and omens. The + shelter for the night. How signals were made. Sighting + the cannibal village. Earthenware cooking utensils. Meet + the first natives. The dreaded Chief. A curious figure. + The hunchback. A smile on his face. The American + greeting. The surprise. A white man. Finding the Korinos. + The welcome to his village. The Chief told about their + ship. On the island fifty years. Telling John about the + strange things which have floated ashore from wrecked + ships. The Korinos assured of safety. + +XI. THE HUNCHBACK CHIEF Page 138 + + The Chief's house. The relics from the sea. The hunchback + Chief's story. His trip as a whaler. Ill treatment. Runs + away. Ships to China. His rudimentary education. + Shipwrecked on the return from China. Rescued by native + cannibals. Regard him with veneration. Misinterprets + their motives. In desperation. Asserts himself. Becomes + Chief of the tribe. Stops cannibal practices. His great + influence over the people. The _Pioneer_ arrives. Ephraim + Wilmar, the hunchback. His surprise at the many changes + during fifty years. His amazement at the telephone, the + cable lines, the phonograph. + +XII. THE CHIEF'S FAMILY Page 148 + + Ephraim's wife. The family. The gifts to Ephraim's + family. Delight at the cooking utensils. John tells + Ephraim about the treasures on the islands. Hidden + treasures. Learning the secrets of early humanity. + Archeology. The trip to the cave. The long journey. The + cave which had the entrances sealed by Ephraim. The + peculiar kinds of masonry. Entering the cave. Dogs with + the party. Mysterious death of the dogs. The alarm of the + natives. Carbonic gas. Its nature, and how tested. + Methods for removing it. The Humphrey Davy lamp. The + principle on which it is made. Designed to indicate the + presence of deadly gases. Explosive mixtures. How a + primitive safety lamp was made. Reëntering the cave. A + large chamber. The cross-shaped cave. A parchment. The + object of John's search. + +XIII. THE CHART AND THE CAVES Page 164 + + The map accompanying the parchment. One of the Treasure + caves. Remarkable carvings, and hieroglyphics. The + quarrel of the buccaneers. The story of the Spaniard who + wrote the chart. The expeditions searching for the + treasure. Death of all who participated. Great + archeological wealth. No material treasures found. How + Ephraim's story affected the boys. John explains why the + cannibals feared him. Due to their superstitions. + Demented people regarded by some as saints. Genius and + insanity. Further explorations of the island. The + proposed trip to Wonder Island. Ephraim invited. He and + his family accept. Telling Ephraim about Hutoton. The + curious tales that were told them about the convict + colony. The wonderful character of the people at Hutoton. + The _Pioneer_ sails. The first time on the deck of a + vessel for fifty-two years. Ephraim and the library. His + conversation with the head of the convict colony. The + identity of the paralyzed man not established. + +XIV. RESCUE ISLAND Page 175 + + The visitors at Hutoton received with rejoicing. John + invites the leader to accompany them to Wonder Island. + Retlaw, the captive, rescued, brought ashore. Caramo + thought he recognized him. Sailing of the _Pioneer_ for + Wonder Island. Calling at the Malolo village. Ta Babeda + agrees to accompany them to Wonder Island. Naming the + island Rescue. The latitude and longitude noted. + Introducing Ta Babeda to the cannibal Chief Ephraim. He + explains how the Korinos misrepresented him and his + people. The new world to Babeda when he stepped on board + the _Pioneer_. The trip to Wonder Island. The mysteries + on board the ship to the Chief. His inquisitive nature. + How he characterized electricity. Ephraim's concern for + his children. Approaching Enterprise River. The steamship + _Wonder_ in sight. The greeting. Going up the river. The + excitement in Unity. The crowded dock. Sutoto and his + bride. The flag on the _Wonder_. The curiosity of + Beralsea at the sight of the Banners. + +XV. THE RETURN TO WONDER ISLAND Page 187 + + Sutoto and the great wide world. Their trip to + Valparaiso. Cinda, and the latest fashions. Blakely, the + man of business. The boys tell him of the wonderful + islands. His eagerness. He tells them of the great + enterprises, and of the prospective new ship. The growth + of Unity. The tribesmen coming in. Introducing Blakely to + the Chiefs. They marvel at his energy. The Professor. + John tells him about the copper box. The new hotel. The + wonderful work in Unity. Agricultural pursuits. What they + shipped to the north. The plans for surveying the + islands. How the lands were apportioned. Building homes + on the island. Energy of the natives. Emigration pouring + in. Farm implements. Coffee tree planting. Raising cocoa. + The schools. The Korinos as teachers. Explaining the + trade problems to the Chief. Ephraim's desire to have his + children remain and attend school. The Chief also permits + his children to remain. Information that the paralyzed + man is getting well. What paralysis is. The triangle. The + visit of the boys to Sutoto's home. The new automobile. + The surprise for the boys. + +XVI. THE SAVAGES AT UNITY Page 199 + + Their new machines. Blakely's treat for the boys. The + Professor's car. John in his runabout. The automobile + procession. The Chief and the automobile. The cottage for + the Chief's family. The boys and the Professor review + their work. The great pleasure in their enterprises. + George and Harry selected to manage affairs on Venture + and Rescue Islands. The copper box. The skull in the + package. The Professor announces the return of the reason + of the paralytic. The word "triangle" announced by the + paralytic. The remarkable coincidence. Opening the copper + box. The triangle on the Walter letter. The skull within + the copper box. The cryptic signs in the box. The + counterpart of the skull they had found. The identical + inscription. The agitation of the paralytic at the sight. + He mentions the name of Walter. Retlaw enters and starts + at the sight of the skulls. Tries to escape on seeing the + paralytic. The latter announces his name as Clifford. + Harry rightly judges that _Retlaw_ is _Walter_ reversed. + Ephraim recognizes Clifford. Walter arrested. + +XVII. UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES Page 214 + + Speculations concerning Walter. Sutoto informed. The + mystery of their missing boat. Clifford's story. The + paper with the markings on the skull identified by Ta + Babeda. The secret in possession of Walter. The boys' + suggestion as to proper names for the natives. Surnames, + and how originated. The method adopted by the Romans. The + Greek names. English surnames. Clifford's condition + improving. Trying to identify the skeleton found on + Venture Island. Clifford recognizes Ephraim. Walter's + letter. The three islands. The triangle. The three + southern stars. The southern cross. The three crosses. + Thirty leagues. The charts of the islands. + +XVIII. THE STORY OF THE LETTERED SKULL Page 224 + + Clifford awakes. The escape of Walter and his recapture. + Clifford continues his story. His effort to find the + treasure island. His meeting with Walter. Capture by the + savages. The _Juan Ferde_. Blakely and Clifford. His + knowledge of the skull. The finding of the boys' boat. + Sailing down the river. Loss of the boat. Finding his + companions. Sailing to Venture Island. His illness. + Meeting with Walter on Rescue Island. His belief that + Walter had hidden the chart. Walter brought in. Clifford + apologizes to Walter. The Sign of the Plus and V. The + chambers in the cave. What the inscriptions meant. + Surprise when Walter learns of the finding of the copper + box. Explains the meaning of the charts. Why there were + three skulls. The mysterious letter. The remarkable + happenings explained. + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + The scout from the rear now came in with a leap Frontispiece + PAGE + 'Stop!' cried John, 'It will be death for any one to touch him' 59 + 'It is copper,' said John 138 + The old man pointed to the rocky wall 154 + + Fig. 1. The Marimba. 36 + Fig. 2. The Atlantean Plateau. 42 + Fig. 3. The Severed Hemispheres. 45 + Fig. 4. Silencer: Convolute Blades. 54 + Fig. 5. Spitting the Roast. 75 + Fig. 6. Arialad Fruit. Sarsaparilla. 76 + Fig. 7. The Mistletoe. 90 + Fig. 8. The Jacchus. 95 + Fig. 9. The Cave on Rescue Island. 119 + Fig. 10. Cinnamon. 129 + Fig. 11. Phonograph Disk. 146 + Fig. 12. Types of Masonry. 154 + Fig. 13. Types of Safety Lamps. 159 + Fig. 14. How John made the Lamp. 160 + + + + +TREASURES OF THE ISLANDS + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE PECULIAR SIGNALS + + +"Do you remember, Harry, after discovering the treasure and the +skeletons of the pirates in the cave near the Cataract, that we heard +the doleful sound of some bird while going down the hill?" + +"Yes; that cry was something like it. Do you recall the name of the +bird, George?" + +"It was the Alma Perdita." + +"I remember, now; it means the 'Cry of the Lost Soul.'" + +"Yes; but I don't think that came from a bird. It is more like an animal +of some kind. Don't you hear a sound that seems to be answering it?" + +"It does seem so; I think John would know what animal it is; but it is +too late to speak to him about it to-night, George." + +As Harry ceased speaking, the boys heard a noise, and George arose +holding up his hand as a warning. "I think I see something, so we ought +to call John." + +The boys quietly moved forward, and noted two figures moving about a +short distance beyond. The boys crawled over to the place where John was +sleeping, and found that the place he occupied, as well as that of +Uraso's vacant. + +"That must be John and Uraso over there," remarked Harry in a whisper. + +They were confirmed in this on approaching the moving figures, and saw +that both were armed, and also that they were watching another moving +figure beyond. + +"Is that a bird or an animal?" asked George. + +"An animal," replied John, in an undertone. + +"That was my opinion from the first," remarked George, who turned to +Harry with a sort of 'I told you so,' expression. + +"But it is a two-legged animal," responded John. + +"How long have you been up?" asked Harry. + +"More than an hour," said Uraso. "Muro is now coming back, and we shall +know something more definite." + +"Then that is Muro?" asked George, in surprise. + +"Yes; he has been stalking the ones making that noise, and was the one +who called our attention to it." + +Muro disappeared, and the peculiar cries were repeated, then, most +startlingly, a sound, similar in character, appeared to come from a +point very close to where they were now crouching. + +John turned to Uraso in astonishment. The latter did not seem at all +perturbed, but after the second cry Uraso imitated the sound, and John +smiled. + +"Muro has the exact tone now," said John. + +"Yes," replied Uraso, "and the cry I gave was an answer, which Uraso +understands." + +In a few minutes Muro appeared, but he was not smiling. His face was +grave, as he said: "We have come upon the terrible Konotos. I feared +that when I heard the first cry several hours ago." + +"Have you been near them?" asked John. + +"Near enough to know that there are quite a number, and what is more, +they are now engaged in their regular feast, and if they have any +captives, this is the time that they will be sacrificed," said Muro. + +"Why do you think this is the time for that?" asked Harry. + +"Because it was now nearing the _dark of the moon_, as you call it, and +that time is chosen because the Great Spirit, out of anger, is hiding +the light." + +The boys now understood that this was a rite practiced by some of the +tribes on Wonder Island, during that season of the Moon's phase. + +"Did you talk with them in that strange language?" asked Harry. + +"No; but I tried to find out the key to the language they used." + +"Is that their regular language?" + +"Oh, no! That is simply the special language which they use on certain +occasions," answered Muro. + +"The savages here, as everywhere, have a sort of code language, or a +species of wireless telegraphy, used by them only when in the presence +of enemies," commented John. + +"Harry and I thought it might be the Alma Perdita, that we heard at the +cave near Cataract." + +"No; but it shows the ingenuity of the savages, when I explain that +their most favored method is to assume the cry of some bird or animal, +and in so doing make it difficult for the enemy to distinguish the +assumed from the real." + +"But on Wonder Island we had several methods of talking to each other," +remarked Uraso. "For instance, we would perfectly imitate the cries of a +number of birds, and also of certain animals, and of the wood insects. +Thus, a nightingale would mean _watchfulness_; the chirrup of a cricket +would be the signal that the enemy was not dangerous, or that there were +not many of them; the cry of the Lost Soul bird would indicate that +there was great danger, and so on with the birds and animals that make +noises." + +"But I have discovered another thing," remarked Muro. + +"And what is that?" said John. + +"The natives here are cannibals." + +"That merely confirms my knowledge of the matter," said John. + +The boys looked at John in amazement. How did John know there were +cannibals on the island? + +"When did you learn that?" asked Harry. + +"Yesterday," was his reply. + +"What did you find that makes you believe that?" + +"I discovered a bone which was once part of a human body." + +"But how would that be any indication that the people here are +cannibals?" + +"When you see a bone that has on it the unmistakable markings of human +teeth, it is pretty safe to infer that the animal which scratched the +bone was a cannibal." + +From the report of Muro it was evident that there was a large number of +people on the island, and, if Muro's observations were correct, they now +had some captives, or, at least, were preparing to celebrate a feast in +which human beings were to be the victims. + +"That satisfies me of one thing," said Harry. + +"And what is that?" asked John. + +"Why, that there must be other tribes on the island," he answered. + +"Why do you infer that?" + +"Well, where would they get the victims?" + +"From their own people," answered John. + +"What! eat their own people?" asked George. + +"That is not at all strange. Many people are known to sacrifice their +own, and among the most degraded, they are known to kill and eat their +own." + +"That is the first time I have heard of such a thing." + +"Don't you remember that the Bible tells about Abraham about to offer up +his own son as a sacrifice?" + +"Yes; but not to eat him." + +"Of course not; but it is not an uncommon thing for tribes in Africa to +sell their own children for this purpose. One of the greatest +sacrificial rites of the ancient Mexicans, was to offer up the most +handsome youth each year, as a propitiation to the gods." + +"So they do not always depend on their enemies to furnish the feast?" + +"By no means. Many of the tribes have a superstition that if they eat a +brave enemy it will impart to them his spirit of valor, and the fact +that they are to have sacrifices here does not mean that there are +various tribes on the island; but that is something we shall have to +investigate. It is my opinion that we shall find other tribes, but that, +I am inclined to think, depends upon the size of the island." + + * * * * * + +The preceding volume, "Adventures Among Strange Islands," states the +conditions under which the two boys, Harry and George, found themselves +on a strange island, in the southern Pacific. Accompanying them were +John L. Varney, and about sixty natives from Wonder Island, together +with the two Chiefs Uraso and Muro. + +Nearly three years previously the boys, George Mayfield and Harry +Crandall, who were members of the crew of a school-ship, the +_Investigator_ sailed from New York, and while on board, met a +professor, who, when the ship was blown up at sea, became their +companion in the life boat in which they sought refuge. Together they +finally were stranded upon an unknown island, less than a hundred miles +from the island which was the scene of the adventures with which we are +now concerned. + +On this island they discovered five or six savage tribes, from some of +which they rescued seven of their former boy companions. Here also they +met Mr. Varney, who had escaped from the savages. The Professor +succeeded in reconciling all the warring tribes, and the natives were +now engaged in agriculture, and in various other pursuits, and the boys +had the great pleasure and satisfaction of being able to build their own +vessel and return home. The trip to the Wonderful island, with which +this volume deals, was for a double purpose, as will presently be +shown. + +John, as Mr. Varney was familiarly known to them, was not only a well +educated man, but a great adventurer, and had traveled all over the +world in pursuit of scientific knowledge. He was particularly interested +in the history of the men who first went to the western world, and +scattered civilization to the benighted countries. + +Like many men of his character, he did not consider the question of +money. He tried to acquire knowledge and information for the love of the +quest, and in order to be of service to his fellow man, so it was purely +by accident that he became a member of a crew that sailed for the +southern seas at the same time that the boys left New York on their +trip. + +While his companions undertook the mission solely for the sake of the +money which might be acquired, John engaged thinking it might offer the +means of laying bare many of the early legends and vague historical +accounts with which that region of the South Seas abounds, and he knew +that if any records were in existence, they could be preserved only in +such secure places as caverns, which the Spanish buccaneers invariably +selected as the safest places to conceal their treasures. + +While the boys, together with the Professor and John, had found a vast +amount of treasure, as stated in the first six volumes containing the +history of Wonder Island, they found not a single scrap of historical +value, excepting a few traces, which have been referred to, and certain +inscriptions which all pointed to the same depositary, somewhere in the +South Seas. + +The last inscription was found by John, shortly before they left Wonder +Island, and which, though its full meaning was wrapt in mystery, +pointed, as did the others, to another island than the one on which it +was found. What made the matter still more interesting, was the +knowledge that some one, by the name of Walters, either had prepared the +inscription, or had some knowledge of what it meant. + +This man was not known to any of the party, and what made it the more +remarkable was the information, lately obtained, that while Walters, +apparently, knew one of the companions who accompanied John on his +wrecked vessel, that man did not know Walters, at least not by that +name. + +These circumstances, together with numerous other incidents, which the +boys could not understand, or unravel, made such an impression on them, +that they were determined to devote their energies to ferret out the +inexplicable things, and the earnestness of John was a great incentive +in the undertaking. + +Up to this time the boys did not know the real motive in the mind of +John. To them this quest on his part was to find out where the Treasure +islands were for the material value that might be obtained. + +His long silence about the real design had been purposely concealed by +him, as he felt that merely to delve into the hidden recesses of the +islands would not be understood by them in its real sense, because as +boys they could not appreciate that real knowledge always must be +disassociated from the idea of material or commercial gain. + +It was with a great deal of anxiety that the boys waited for the morning +sun. They had but a comparatively small force to deal with the +situation. True, they were equipped with fire-arms, and they knew that +the _Pioneer_, their vessel, would return within a week, still, within +that time the large number of natives might be able to surround them, +and unless they could get some word to the ship, and by that means +enable their friends to send reinforcements, they would be starved out. + +As soon as the camp was astir there was a consultation. John had fully +matured a plan in his mind, but it was always a pleasure, as it had been +with the Professor, to present any complications to the boys, so that +they could take a hand in the developments which might follow. + +"Harry and I have been considering the matter," said George. "We think +it would be well to leave this place, and go back to the landing and +wait for the _Pioneer_. We will then be ready, with reinforcements to +meet them with more than an even chance." + +"But," remarked John; "are you willing to go back, and permit the devils +here to destroy the captives they may have, or, to prevent them from +sacrificing their own people?" + +The boys had not thought of this. "I know the feast days, during which +these events will take place, will occur within the next four days," +added Muro. + +"If that is so," said Harry, "I am willing to do my share in keeping +them from it. What do you suggest?" + +"We must try to get into communication with them, and if we fail then I +am in favor of taking some stringent measures to divert them from their +purpose," answered John. + +"Then you may be assured we are with you to the end," said George. + +"After talking with Uraso and Muro, we have agreed on a plan that may be +successful, and it will at any rate, for the time, prevent them from +carrying out their festival scheme." As John said this Muro appeared, +and stated that he had discovered the arrival of at least a hundred +natives on the hill beyond the second ravine, and that he saw smoke on +the third hill beyond that, and was of the opinion that the village must +not be far away. + +This intelligence added interest to the situation. As nearly as could be +estimated they were at least fifteen miles from the landing place +selected when the _Pioneer_ sailed. + +"Unless I am very much mistaken the ridge on which we now are is the +backbone of the island, and I also believe that it is narrow and we +should be able to find the sea much nearer by going east from this +place," remarked John. + +"But if we do that it will be necessary for some one to go to the place +selected for the landing of the _Pioneer_, and tell them of our plans, +and what we have learned," said Harry. + +"That is what I have in mind. But before doing that we must investigate +this portion of the island more carefully. My plan is as follows: Along +this ridge, further to the east, is a sheltered spot, or a place where +the rocks form a sort of cove, and which can be easily defended. If the +natives have not reached that quarter it will make an ideal retreat for +us, and where we can defend ourselves for an indefinite time." + +"But why should we take up time to find a place like that if you intend +to take steps toward meeting the natives?" + +"It will be used to fall back upon." + +"Oh, then you intend to take measures against them at once?" + +"Not for the first day, at least. As soon as we are established there we +will investigate the region to the east, and if we find the shore line +closer on the eastern shore, we can then send a runner with a message to +the landing place, giving them the information." + +The boys now understood. It was evident that it would have been bad +policy to retreat in face of the enemy, if such he should prove to be. +Something must be done to divert the natives for the time being. This +would give them time to communicate with their vessel. + +"There is one thing that must be remembered. The savages know of our +presence here. They are now on the alert, and we are being watched with +the greatest vigilance. If they think there is an opportunity for fresh +victims it will stimulate them to the greatest exertions." + +"I agree with you in that view," said Uraso, as John finished speaking. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE SAVAGES ON THE HILL + + +After a hurried breakfast the party marched along the southern crest of +the hill, keeping as much out of view of the watchers on the northern +side as possible. The course adopted was one well calculated to deceive +the natives, for while the main bulk of the party silently left the +camping place, a half dozen of their companions were left behind, and +they were particular to remain exposed at intervals, so that the +departure of the main party would not be discovered. + +To those left behind, John said: "Remain here until you hear firing. In +that event you will know that we have met them, and that fact will be +sufficient notice that your duty here is at an end. Uraso has begged the +privilege of being with you, and you know that is an assurance of your +safety in any event." + +The place suggested by John was not over two miles distant. Muro went +ahead with one of the most reliable men of his tribe, and at intervals +this runner was sent back with the information that the course was +clear. + +Everything pointed to the success of the scheme, until they were within +sight of the place, when the runner came back hurriedly with the +information that Muro had seen the first of the natives, and he felt +certain that they were at the place selected for their fort. + +The party halted. The runner returned, and John sent back a messenger to +Uraso, advising him to come forward at once. Within fifteen minutes the +messenger returned with the startling information that the natives were +between them and Uraso. + +This was, indeed, surprising. Either they were experts at stalking +enemies, or they had been fortunate enough to bring up a force in such a +position as to make Uraso's escape a most hazardous one. + +"We must make the best of the situation," said John. "Let us prepare to +receive them, if they are determined to attack us." + +"But what shall we do about Uraso?" asked Harry, in some consternation. + +"I think Uraso knows how to take care of the situation. He is shrewd +enough to outwit them, and if there is any danger from that quarter, he +will let us know." + +"But how can he let us know if his messenger cannot get through?" + +John smiled, as he looked at George, and responded: "You have evidently +forgotten that Uraso has the best signaling instrument in the world, the +gun." + +"Certainly; I had forgotten that. But what shall we do if--" His voice +was cut short by a shot from the direction of Uraso's position. + +"There it is," said Harry. "Two more shots!" + +The scout from the rear now came in on a leap. "They are coming this +way," he hurriedly informed John. + +"Who are coming?" asked John. + +"The natives." + +"Lie down!" he commanded. "No one must fire until I give the command. +Oto, go to Muro at once, and tell him to come back immediately." + +In the distance to the west could be seen little squads of natives +coming directly toward them. In the different groups were fully fifteen +men, all armed with spears and bows and arrows. + +"Uraso is driving them this way; I am sure of that," remarked John, as +he watched their maneuvers. + +"What makes you think so?" asked George. + +"They are simply retreating, thinking, in all probability that they have +met our entire band. They do not know we are here." + +"Brave Uraso! I hope he will not get into danger," said George. "There +they are now; see them on the ridge to--" + +A shot from the direction of Muro now awoke them to action. The moment +that sound reached the oncoming savages, they halted, and huddled +together, evidently in confusion at the meaning of the new alarm. + +"Ah! they are puzzled!" Then, after a pause, he continued: "I hope Muro +is not in trouble! I do not understand why his messenger has not +returned." + +Within ten minutes of the report of the gun which has just been referred +to, the messenger sent by John, came in and stated that it was +impossible for him to reach Muro, as the hill directly to the east was +alive with warriors. + +It was now Muro's turn to get the sympathy of the boys, and both of them +turned to John, who still seemed unperturbed. + +"We will march directly to the east," he announced. "Every man must hold +his gun ready for instant firing. Move forward quietly, as you have been +doing. We must go to the assistance of Muro. Uraso will take care of the +rear." + +They glided along the crest, directly behind John, and as they passed +over the hill, it was evident that the natives were out in force. + +"I wonder whether they have captured Muro?" asked Harry. + +"No; he is all right. You may depend on it that he will not be taken +without a warning shot is given." + +"But we heard a shot." + +"True; but that was the messenger." + +From the manner in which the natives in their front were scurrying to +and fro, it was apparent to John's practiced mind, they had no idea of +the approach of John and his party. It was plain that they knew of Muro, +or, at least of some one beyond the second hill, where John inferred +Muro must have gone, because all their energies appeared to be directed +toward that point. + +"I am afraid they are after Muro, but I am sure if he finds himself in +danger he will fire a shot to warn us. In such a situation we must +attract their attention. I will detail the first squad to accompany me. +All those remaining will conceal themselves, and under no circumstances +show yourselves, or let your presence be known, unless you are attacked. +We will go to the point beyond the two large trees, and make the +demonstration there, thus drawing them away from Muro." + +John with the six men designated hurried over the intervening ground, +just as two shots, undoubtedly from Muro, broke the quiet, and placed +the watchers on the alert. In less than ten minutes the boys heard a +volley to the right, and almost instantly the opposite slope was alive +with natives running to and fro in all directions, and the most peculiar +cries were heard, while in the distance there was a singular rhythmic +sound as though drums were being beaten, in regular time. + +It sounded very weird and fascinating. The drums, if such they were, had +different keys, and their companions did not appear to be able to give +any information about them. + +While thus waiting for John to appear, the watchers were surprised to +see the force which was between Uraso and themselves, rushing alongside +the hill, and directly toward their place of concealment. Here was a +problem, not contemplated by John, and the boys consulted the men with +them. + +Harry said: "I will do what has always been our custom, that is first +show ourselves, and indicate that we do not wish to be enemies, and try +to gain their confidence." + +"I think some of the men should try to talk to them. It is possible that +they may be acquainted with their language. You remember the one we +captured could understand what Muro said," suggested George. + +It should be stated that after they landed on the island, four days +previously, they had made a short excursion into the interior, where +they were attacked by a tribe, of which one of the men was captured, +after being wounded, and then taken by the Professor on board the +_Pioneer_, and carried to Wonder Island. + +The savages came forward apparently without knowing of the existence of +our party, and when within two hundred feet Harry, and Tarra, one of the +most intelligent of the islanders, stepped forward, and waved their +hands. + +The natives stopped in astonishment. Tarra spoke to them, but they were +mute. Then Tarra turned to Harry, and rubbed his nose, and made a sign +of friendship. After some hesitation the leader, who was, from all +appearance a chief, answered, that they demanded the delivery to them of +the wounded man. After this was interpreted Harry assured him that the +man would be restored safe and sound, as soon as he was cured. + +At this information the Chief told Tarra that he lied, and that he had +been taken for the purpose of being sacrificed. He was assured that such +was not the case, as they did not believe in sacrificing human beings. + +The Chief then demanded that they leave the island at once, or they +would kill all of them. Tarra laughed at this announcement, and his +demeanor was such as to astound the natives. "You do not know what you +say," said Tarra. "The white people who are with us have fire guns, +which kill when they speak," and he held up one of them, and the boys +were amused to see how quickly they began to waver and look about for +shelter. + +"We have not come here to injure you," said Tarra. "We want to be +friends." + +This appeal did not affect the Chief, but seeing his men disappear he +silently withdrew to the north. They had scarcely gone before Uraso and +his men appeared in the tall grass beyond, and were most heartily +welcomed by the boys. + +Uraso laughed as he related their experience. He said that the band came +up, after John and the party left, and in order to make as big a showing +as possible he and his companions hid in the grass, being separated from +each other twenty feet or more, thus making a line over a hundred feet +in length. + +The savages did not know that the entire line was occupied only by seven +men. To all appearances the waving of the grass at the different points +along the line, indicated to them the presence of a large force. As a +result they started for the east, instead of going to the south, as +Uraso had calculated they would do, and which indeed they would have +done had they not heard the peculiar savage-made signals of the party +which was hunting Muro. + +The movement of the band in that direction drove them directly toward +the watchers who had been left behind by John, and for them to meet a +second party, immediately after they left Uraso, must have been a most +astonishing thing to them. + +But the savages were still more confounded, when, after leaving the +boys, they learned from the signals that a third party (the one with +John), was still further to the east. + +The first evidence the boys had, that the last party had reached the +main band of savages, was the recurrence of the same peculiar sounds +that were heard during the night. + +"They are telling them that we are all over the island. They are worried +about the situation," said Uraso. "John purposely took the men forward +in order to create the impression that our people might be found +everywhere." + +"Did you hear the shots that Muro fired?" asked George. + +"Yes; they were on all sides of him, undoubtedly, but I am satisfied he +is all right now." + +"What makes you think so?" + +"For the reason that the natives are retreating, and dare not attack +him. The last signs were those indicating danger. They were entirely +different from those sent out last night." + +The peculiar drum beats ceased. Only occasionally could the plaintive +signal cry be heard, and after waiting for more than half hour, the boys +were delighted to see John and Muro appear on the distant hill, +accompanied by the men who were detailed with him. + +Muro's story was an interesting one. He went directly east for a +distance of nearly two miles, passing between two different parties, who +were, of course, unaware of his presence. He sent the messenger back +when he met the first natives, and when this messenger was on his way +back he found the savages before him, and they made a rush which he +stopped by the shot which John and the boys heard. + +After he had passed the second lot of natives he ascended the second +hill, and beheld, far in the east, the open sea. This, he knew, was a +matter of prime importance to them, as he felt assured it could not be +more than five miles distant. + +While investigating the shore line, in order to select some particular +marking point, by means of which they might be able to direct the +_Pioneer_, he was surrounded by the natives. Not that they knew he was +at that particular place, but, as he was now near the rocky headland +which he was seeking, it occurred to him that they might be going on the +same mission, and before he could extricate himself a small band +intercepted him. + +He told them that they were friends and not enemies, and tried to win +them over by promises of reward. For some reason or other they declined +to treat with him, and he then had to resort to the rifle to impress +them with the invisible power which he possessed. + +This was done by the two shots which the boys heard. They were of course +awed by the explosion, and by the effect of the shots, and since it did +not seem to bring about the desired results, he coolly marched away, and +told them that they dared not follow him. + +His bravery undoubtedly proved his salvation, for they were too much +astounded to move at his audacity. He did not go far, because he knew +that his safety lay in keeping himself concealed, since he felt assured +that it would not be long before John would resort to some device to +attract their attention. + +His calculations were justified, for within a quarter of an hour he +heard the volley which John ordered, and in an in creditable short space +of time the woods were cleared of the watching natives, who, +undoubtedly, were on the alert to capture him. + +"The boys went with me to the foot of the hill," said John. "I knew Muro +would fire three shots if he were in danger. When we were half way up +the hill, we saw the natives stealthily moving around the hill, as +though trying to encircle the position among the rocks. It was enough to +indicate to me that Muro was the one they were stalking. + +"We did not shoot at the natives, but intended it merely as a warning. +It was sufficient, for they made for cover at once, and within ten +minutes we heard Muro's signal, and found him safe." + +"But isn't that fine about the sea?" said Harry with enthusiasm. + +"Yes; and that means we must now send a message to the landing place. +Muro, did you see enough of the shore line to enable you to describe +it?" asked John. + +"I was not near enough to tell exactly, but I believe it is directly +east of our landing place, but, of course, on the opposite side of the +island," was his response. + +"That will be near enough. Our work is on this side of the island. As +soon as we have quieted down a little you will hear some news," said +John as he glanced at the boys significantly. + +The runner was directed to proceed to the landing place, and to remain +there during the night. He was then to return the first thing in the +morning, and would find the party camped at the rocky height beyond. + +Without waiting for further explanations, and details of experiences, +they started for the place where they might find some shelter from the +numerous foes, and at which place they might be able to formulate a plan +to get into communication with the natives. + +It was late in the afternoon when they gained the rocky heights, and saw +the wild nature of the surroundings. + +"How did you know this place was here?" asked Harry. + +[Illustration: _Fig. 1. The Marimba._] + +"I was here day before yesterday, and it was from this place we started +when we heard your first guns in the battle you had with the natives," +was John's answer. + +"But how does it happen that you did not see the ocean?" + +"Well, are you able to see the ocean anywhere from this point?" he was +asked. + +The question was a natural one, for when Muro came over the last hill to +the south the sea was visible, but the rocky point was to the north, and +thus out of range. + +"Did you hear the singular drum-like sounds this afternoon?" + +"They were drums," answered John, "and most peculiar ones, too. I have +not seen the ones used by the natives here, but they have the same +resonant sounds made by certain African tribes, and also by some South +American savages." + +"What is it like?" was Harry's next question. + +"They are made of flat pieces of wood, very thin, laid over open-topped +gourds. The gourds are, of course, dried, and the dryer they are, the +more resonant the sound." + +"Why, that is something like the Xylophone." + +"Exactly so. That instrument is of savage origin. Instead of gourds some +tribes use calabashes, which grow to enormous size, and they are highly +prized owing to the quality of the sound they produce when used in this +way." + +"But the ones we heard had different tones." + +"They use wooden strips of different lengths, exactly like the +Xylophone. They are called Marimbas, balafongs and sansas, by the +various tribes." + +While George, Harry and Uraso, were scouting to the north they +unexpectedly came around the corner of a hill, from which they could see +a beautiful valley running to the north, and directly opposite, on a +little plateau, was a type of mountain deer, standing like a sentinel +near the precipitous edge, while below were dozens feeding. + +The boys dared not shoot at them, but they remembered the place, and +made up their minds that as soon as they had made friends of the natives +they would have a hunt in this section. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +CAPTURE OF THE VILLAGE + + +The most trying time for all adventurers and explorers, is after night +has set in. During the daytime there is always plenty to take up one's +attention and energies, but as the sun goes down the world seems to +contract into a very small space, and when enemies are near the burden +of waiting is a doubly trying one. + +The boys had spent many such nights. Whenever John or the Professor were +about these hours were always enjoyed, because like all healthy boys, +they were ever on the alert to ask questions which happened to be +suggested by the experiences of the day. + +Now, it is a singular thing, that there is no selfishness in education. +True education is charitable. Those who crave it with the most +eagerness, are always the foremost in wishing to impart it to others. +The honest learner does not resent the listening ear of his fellow +pupils. + +Uraso and Muro, the two chiefs, who were the first to conceive the +advantages of education at the hands of John and the Professor, were +always on the alert at the evening meetings, whenever their duties +permitted it, and hundreds of the natives of Wonder Island craved the +privilege of hearing the conversations which took place on all sorts of +topics. + +In Unity, the capital of Wonder Island, schools had been established +and were flourishing, and all the children were pupils, so that within +another generation there would be a tremendous change for the better +among those people. + +There was nothing more enjoyable to the boys than to see the intense +interest manifested by the common natives, when night came on, and they +expected one of the treats which they knew would be in store for them. + +On these occasions George and Harry were usually the questioners, but +many times they saw that some of the men seemed to desire additional +information, and by degrees the boys encouraged them to put the +questions, and to seek inquiries. + +This had a very stimulating effect. John was delighted at the spirit +thus developed, and he gave it a still broader range by refusing +sometimes to answer the questions, and thus inviting answers from the +men themselves. + +Thus discussion developed. It taught them to begin to think for +themselves. If men know that the ready answer is always at hand, it +prevents the mind from expanding. The evenings, therefore, were seasons +of enjoyment, alike to the men as well as to the boys. + +After they had reached the cove in the rocks, and all the dispositions +had been made for the night, John warned the men that while the natives +were no doubt, in consternation, the utmost care must be observed to +prevent any surprises. + +The moon had not yet arisen, but there was a beautiful clear sky. The +great Southern Cross hung in the heavens like a giant lantern. On one +side, and on line with each other, shone the two brightest stars in the +heavens, the first being the Dog Star Sirius, and the next in order, +Canopus, the one white, and the other a yellowish white. + +Then, on the other side of the Great Cross, sparkled Antares, the +brilliant red star, of the first magnitude, while Spica, another star +made up a most remarkable combination of heavenly orbs. + +George had always been impressed with the appearance and the arrangement +of the stars, and he was struck by the intense interest which all +savages manifested in astronomy. + +"Your observations are correct," said John, when the discussion began. +"Almost all of the savage rites, their feasts and religious ceremonials, +have something to do with the appearances and the movements of the +heavenly bodies." + +"I suppose the grouping of the stars, when they named these groups of +the planets after animals, and the like, was done by the ancients, and +really meant something in a religious way," ventured Harry. + +"It is difficult really to determine the origin of what is called the +Zodiac. From the evidence attainable it was known to the Babylonians, +over 2300 years before the Christian era. They divided the heavens into +twelve parts, each cluster of stars representing some fanciful animal or +being, such as the Lion, or the Bear, or the Dragon." + +"Isn't it funny that the tribes here, as well as some on Wonder Island +have an idea that the dark moon is caused by the Great Spirit trying to +hide it in anger?" asked George. + +"It is singular when it is considered that the same superstition is +found in many, many tribes, on different continents, and it induces the +belief that this idea had one common origin, and that the people all +sprang from one source, or, that the different peoples worked out the +ideas independently of each other." + +This statement caused considerable discussion, the natives being of the +opinion that the idea was worked out by the different peoples and could +not have been spread broadcast by one set of people. + +"Why do you think it could not have come from one race?" asked George, +as Uraso urged. + +"Because," he answered, "how did the people in olden times cross the big +ocean? Even now, people like my own, dare not venture on the sea, for +any distance from shore." + +"But," said John, "the surface of the earth was not originally like it +is now. In many places over the earth, new lands have appeared,--that +is, they come up out of the sea, and other lands have disappeared. We +have records of islands, and parts of continents, hundreds of times +larger than Wonder Island, which have disappeared in a single day. One +of those, near Japan, sank, and engulfed over 200,000 people." + +"You surprise me," said Muro. + +"Furthermore, there is pretty conclusive evidence that the continents of +Europe and America, were once joined, or that there was an immense +continent, called Atlantis between the eastern and western hemispheres." + +"I read something on that subject some time ago, in which the writer +denied that such a thing was possible," said Harry. + +[Illustration: _Fig. 2. The Atlantean Plateau._] + +"I am aware of that, but there are some things which are difficult to +explain, unless the two hemispheres were once united, or, at any rate, +were close enough together to permit travel from one part to the other." + +"What evidence is there on that point?" + +"Well, in the first place, the root of the languages in Central America, +and in Mexico, are the same as in the corresponding latitude in Europe +and Africa. Then the Pyramids of Mexico are built on the same plan, and +located, astronomically, the same as those in Egypt." + +"But could not the ancients have crossed the seas, and in that way given +the same knowledge to both sections?" + +"There is absolutely no evidence that the ancients had vessels capable +of traversing 2000 miles of ocean." + +"But the book I read said that the Western Hemisphere merely broke away +from the main body of the land, and that is why the people here knew all +that those in Europe had learned." + +"That is very plausible, and for the purpose of giving you a fair +understanding of the matter, I make a sketch, showing (Fig. 2), the +Atlantean theory, in which the western shores of Europe and Africa, and +the eastern shores of North and South America are outlined, and between +them, in dotted lines, is Atlantis, the only part of that vast continent +now being visible being the Azore Islands, at the northern extremity." + +"But what evidence is there that such a continent existed? Is it only a +theory?" + +"It is supported by some evidence, much of which, like the account +which the Egyptian priests gave to Solon, would take too long to state; +but some years ago, while Darwin was engaged in making the deep sea +soundings in the ship _Challenger_, it was found that the bed of the +Atlantic showed a raised plateau, where the legendary Atlantis was +claimed to be." + +"But might it not be possible that the other theory could be correct, +also,--that is, that North America merely broke away, and in breaking +away, left Atlantis as an island?" + +"I do not see how it can be reconciled. In the first sketch (Fig. 2), +note the shape of the continent of Atlantis. Now, in the next sketch +(Fig. 3), I have brought the two continents close up to each other. The +outlines appear similar, and it would be difficult to make them fit +together, if Atlantis should be placed there, or left in that space, +after the breaking apart." + +The discussion was closed for the night and arrangements made for sleep +and sentry duty. + +Frequently during the night the beating of the singular drums was heard. +After the entertainment of the evening both Muro and Uraso undertook +some scouting on their own account. The boys were awake early, and then +learned of their expeditions. + +Three miles north of the rocky point the main village was located. They +had crept forward cautiously until close enough to learn that there must +be fully five hundred inhabitants. But what was more surprising still, +was the evidence they obtained that the tribes believed in the Hoodoos +and the witch doctors. + +[Illustration: _Fig. 3. The Severed Hemispheres._] + +The boys were jubilant at the information, and John was full of smiles +as he imparted the information. The difficulty was to get into +communication with the natives, as their efforts of the preceding day +did not offer much encouragement in that direction. + +The fact that the people on the island observed peculiar rites was +evidence to John that they must be steeped in the superstitions that are +a necessary part of the craft of the witch doctors, and to the boys, as +well as to Uraso and Muro, the opportunity for John to match his +intelligence with the crafty Krishnos, was awaited with interest. + +It was shown on Wonder Island, that while the people had the most +implicit confidence in their medicine men, they were the first to cause +their overthrow when it was shown that they maintained their superiority +through deceit. + +Before nine o'clock the drums began to beat. They were plainly heard, as +there was a slight breeze from that direction. John selected fifteen of +the warriors, and accompanied by the boys, and Muro and Uraso, started +for the village. + +"You are to remain here until you get word from us. If you should hear +heavy firing it will be the signal for you to come on without delay. In +such a case approach cautiously, and rush them, so as to reach us. We do +not want to cause the loss of a single life among them, except as a last +resort to save our own. Otherwise you are not to leave the cove. One +must be sent to the height beyond, to keep a watch for the _Pioneer_. + +"If the vessel is sighted send a runner to the shore, and try to get +into communication with it, so they may know where we are. + +"As soon as Tarra returns, send him forward to us without delay. He +should be back before noon to-day." John was thus precise to deliver the +instructions, because he did not know what their reception was likely to +be at the village. + +As stated, his prime object was to prevent the sacrifice of captives, if +such there should be, or to put off the rites which he knew would take +place that day and the next. + +They marched down the hill, taking all precautions on the way, but they +met no opposition. Beyond them was a well wooded plain, and at intervals +they could see, in the distance, detached huts, and in many places +evidences of crude cultivation of the soil. + +The huts were unoccupied, but it was evident from their appearance that +they had been used up to that very day. + +"I cannot understand why no people are living here," remarked George. + +"They have gone to the village to attend the sacred rites," responded +Uraso. + +They were now less than a mile from the village, which could be seen in +the distance through the trees. Something unusual was taking place to +their left, and more than a mile away. Uraso agreed to go in that +direction, and gain the slight elevation, which might afford him an +opportunity to discover the cause of the excitement. + +There was considerable shouting, and then the beating of the drums, +which they had not heard since the early morning. Uraso was gone not to +exceed a half hour. + +"They are having something unusual in that quarter. A number of natives +have just come in, and a hundred, or more, from the village met the +visitors. I cannot account for the demonstration," observed one of the +boys. + +"It is quite likely," suggested John, "that some other tribe has come in +to attend the ceremonies." + +"I do not think so, because the visitors belong to the same people who +live in the village." + +John was determined to go on, and they proceeded, reaching the outlying +portion of the village, just as the visitors, and those from the village +were entering it from the other angle. + +"They have a prisoner there," said Muro. "I am sure that man in the +first group is being conducted to the village." + +"Unquestionably, Muro is correct. It is plain that a party of the +villagers have captured the man, and the excitement we heard was caused +by that fact." And John began to speculate on the probability of the +island containing more than the one tribe. + +"That man is a native, I am sure," was Uraso's observation. + +"That looks like Tarra," said George, in excitement. + +This announcement had an electrical effect on those present. If such +should prove to be the case, what likelihood was there that he had +delivered the message at the landing? Was he captured going, or coming. + +"It looks to me as though he was captured this morning," observed Harry, +"because if he had been taken last night, on his way over, they would +not wait until to-day to bring him in." + +This looked like a reasonable supposition; but they must first make sure +that it was Tarra. + +"Forward march!" said John. + +But before they had time to go far the whole town seemed to be alive. +From every part of the village men were running, and forming in the open +space next the first row of huts. + +It was a most curious proceeding that the boys now witnessed. In the +center of the warriors was a large man, with a curious garb. On each +side of him were noticed men with dissimilar clothing, but bedecked with +every sort of device, the peculiarities of which could not be +distinguished, owing to the distance. + +"That large man in the middle, is the Chief, and those about him are the +witch doctors. The Chief has brought the witch doctors so as to terrify +and destroy us," and John laughed as he remembered some of the wiles of +that class on Wonder Island. + +To the beating of the drums, the Chief marched forward, his men +following, and closing in on his sides to afford him protection. John +motioned Uraso and Muro to step forward, and they advanced twenty feet +beyond the warriors, and awaited the Chief. + +The latter stopped when within hailing distance, and John held up a +hand. Uraso then addressed the Chief, telling him that they came as +friends, and not as enemies, and desired to be present at the ceremonies +about to take place. + +He also recited that they came from a neighboring island, where they +had a wonderful village, where all the people were happy, and they now +wanted to show, their friendship by offering presents. + +The Chief was silent, and then said: "Why did you kill my people?" + +"We only defended ourselves. Your warriors were the ones who attacked +us. We could have killed all of your warriors if we had been enemies." + +"You speak lies," answered the Chief. "Why did you take my warrior?" + +"Because he was wounded and we are making him well, and will then return +him to you so he can tell you that what we say is true." + +"You are again speaking lies," he retorted. Notwithstanding the manner +in which Uraso had steeled himself, he was visibly affected by the blunt +manner in which the savage accused him, but he was judicious enough not +to appear disturbed. + +"Ask him," said John, "what he wants us to do to prove that we are +friends, and not enemies." + +The Chief, at this question, drew himself up proudly, and answered: "You +are on my dominion, and you have no right to ask any favor from me. You +must deliver yourself up as prisoners, and we shall then deal with you +as we see fit." + +"In what way will you deal with us? Have we committed a wrong? Do you +intend to punish us?" + +"You had no right to come here. Every one who does so without my +permission, must die." + +"Then you expect us to surrender so you may kill us?" + +"Yes." + +"Then our Chief tells you that he has a right to come here, and that +you have no right to prevent it, and that if you try to kill us we will +have the Great Spirit visit you the same as he visited your warriors the +other day," said Uraso. + +The Chief was astounded at the audacity of the visitors. He could not +understand the presumption of Uraso, and the defiant attitude of the +little group behind him. + +"Then I command the Korinos to destroy you!" he shouted. + +Muro turned to the boys, and smiled as he said: "Do you know what he +means? He calls them Korinos. On Wonder Island they are Krishnos. That +seems pretty close to the same thing." + +Uraso held up a hand, as he said: "I have a Korino here (pointing to +John), and he will destroy your Korinos." + +The witch doctors then ranged themselves in front of the Chief, and the +latter said: "They will sacrifice your friend who came to us to-day." + +To the astonishment of all, Tarra was led forward, and ordered to kneel +down. Then a great burly man, clothed in the garb so common to the +sorceress among savage tribes, followed him with a huge knotted club. + +"Tell him that if he raises the club I will order the Korino to die." + +This was imparted, but it made no difference to the executioner. He +stepped forward, and slowly raised the club, but before it had reached +its highest point, a revolver in the hands of John spoke, and the savage +dropped the club, and slowly sank to the earth. + +It would be impossible to describe the consternation that showed itself +at this catastrophe. + +"Come here, Tarra," cried John. + +Tarra leaped to his feet, and with a few bounds was at Uraso's side, +while Harry jumped forward and cut the thongs that bound his hands. + +The Chief was bewildered, no less than those around him. No effort was +made to prevent Tarra from escaping. The other Korinos did not even go +forward to the relief of their slain comrade. He lay there motionless. + +"I am sorry," said John. "I must have made a miscalculation, but I am +afraid he is dead." + +Then one of the Korinos moved toward the fallen man. "Stop!" cried John. +"It will be death for any one to touch him now!" + +Uraso hurriedly informed the Chief of this new piece of information, +which, in reality, caused more terror than the shot itself. What species +of sorcery was this that they dared not even touch the victim who +disobeyed the white Korino? + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +RESCUING A WHITE CAPTIVE + + +"Did you deliver the message at the landing place?" asked George, after +Tarra was freed. + +"No; they captured me late last night. I tried for hours to get through, +but they were within a mile of the landing," answered Tarra. + +"But where have you been all this time?" + +"They took me north to another village." + +But more interesting things were now happening. The witch doctor who was +about to go to his fallen companion, hesitated. He turned to the Chief. +The latter merely stretched out his hand, and with an impatient gesture +appeared to order him on. + +"I warn you!" said Uraso. "It will be death to touch him." + +If there is one thing, more than another, that is liable to add terror +to a low order of human beings, it is noise. It may be said that the +most intelligent are not entirely devoid of the feeling of fear at +inexplainable noises. + +As an example, take the sensations produced by thunder and lightning, +one which affects the ear, and the other the eye. During a thunderstorm, +the feeling of fear becomes acute only when the roar is heard. + +In this case we know what it is that produces the reverberations; but +even under those circumstances many people are seriously affected by it. +A terrific explosion, of which we do not know the cause, is often the +source of great terror. + +This is particularly true with all savage people. The drums referred to, +evidence this particular feeling of awe, and the louder and more +violent, the more intense is it to the untutored mind. It is with this +idea in their minds that they exercise the bad spirits by driving them +away by making great noises, a practice true of most savage tribes. + +When John returned to Wonder Island from the United States he had taken +with him several of the well-known Silencers, which, when attached to +the muzzle of a gun, will so deaden the sound that no explosion is +heard. + +[Illustration: _Fig. 4. Silencer. Convolute Blades._] + +For general use, John knew that the unmuffled gun would be far more +effective than those equipped with the new invention. Smokeless powder +was also used in the guns which John and his company carried. The +absence of smoke thus centers the mind of the native on the sound alone, +and he sees the effect on the victim. + +To the savage the sound and the effect of the shot produce the sensation +that there is something more than human in the discharge. It is hard for +them to form an idea of the connection between the report and the +mission of the bullet. It is some monster which speaks in a loud voice. + +But it was more than that to the islanders when they saw the witch +doctor fall. There was a white Korino who spoke with a voice of thunder. +They were not aware that he held something in his hand like a weapon, +and the noise and the result of that noise stunned them. + +John also carried a revolver with one of the silencers. When the Korino +turned to the Chief, and the latter, determined not to be swayed by the +power of the white man, there was but one thing for him to do. He must +obey. He knew that if he shrunk from the task it would be a confession +that his power was gone. + +The man approached the prostrate form. "Stop!" again cried Uraso. "The +white Korino will not again speak, but if he touches the body you will +die!" + +He stood there for a moment, irresolute, and then slowly stooped down, +and with hesitation at every motion, finally touched the figure. In the +meantime John had leveled the revolver with the silencer, and as the man +again rose to an erect position, and glanced at John defiantly, he +quickly threw up his hands and fell forward across his former companion +with a shot through his arm, as it was not John's intention to kill him +if it could by any possibility be avoided. + +The white Korino had not spoken, as Uraso predicted, but the results +were the same. The savages who were lined up on both sides of the Chief, +began to waver. They were moving to the rear. The Korinos around the +Chief, finally broke and fled, and when the people saw this evidence of +fear on the part of their Wise Men, they could not be restrained. + +The Chief followed them hurriedly. "Now, quickly, boys, fire two rounds. +No; not at the natives, but up in the air." + +The boys could not understand what John could mean by such an order, but +they did not have an opportunity to ask the reason for it. + +After the volleys John turned to Muro and Uraso, and remarked: "As soon +as the men come up you and Muro must contrive in some way to find out +the direction that the Korinos have taken." + +They now saw the object of the volleys. It would bring up those of their +party who had remained at the rocky cove. The watch for the Korinos was +equally plain. The experience on Wonder Island showed that the witch +doctors inhabited the caves. + +In the excitement they had entirely forgotten this part of their +enterprise. They thought of the treasure. John had the treasure of the +records in his mind. The hills all about; the limestone formations of +the elevations were ample assurance to his mind that some caverns would +be found; and while they might, eventually, be able to locate the +entrances, it would be better to find out where they were by watching +and charting the direction they took on their way to the dark places +where they hoped to rest in fancied security. + +Within fifteen minutes their rear guard came into sight, rushing over +the hills, all expectant to find an enemy in their front. Great was +their surprise to see the village beyond, and John and his party +bending over the two bodies, one of them moving and the other inert. +Apparently, he and his force were unconcerned, although many savages +were in the village, and in plain sight. + +An examination of the fallen men made John happy, because he feared that +his aim had been untrue. Both had been severely wounded, and when an +hour afterwards both men were able to move, thanks to the knowledge and +care of John, they were carried into the village. + +Before this was done, however, John ordered the force to march boldly +into the village. On the approach of the party the Chief and his +followers, together with the women and children, hurriedly fled to the +north. + +Among the huts were found a dozen or more sick and injured men and +women, and a number of old people who were unable to be carried away. +John went to each, and after carefully examining them, administered +medicine. + +In one place they found two warriors, who had been wounded in the battle +four days previously. These were given special attention, the villagers +meanwhile looking on the proceeding with a feeling of awe, and wonder. +They could not comprehend the care and treatment which was being given +them. + +John's companions were most eager to render aid, and spoke to the +patients freely, telling them that they were friends, and not enemies. +During this investigation into every corner of the village, George and +Harry were the most active. They found many amusing things, but the care +of the sick and the infirm was the first duty, and they had many +willing helpers. + +While thus engaged they reached a long, low thatched enclosure, so +entirely different from the huts scattered about. There was no visible +opening. They walked around the enclosure with more and more curiosity. +Some of their companions from Wonder Island then drew near. + +"We have found it!" cried one of them. + +"What is it?" asked Harry. + +"This is the place where they keep the captives." + +"But how can we get into it?" asked George, then adding, "Get one of the +hatchets, quickly." + +Several men ran back and opened the packages containing their equipment, +and others followed to see the prisoners. Uraso was one of the first to +come up, and he was soon followed by John, all in excitement over the +news. George was the first one to get a hatchet. He soon chopped a way +through, and Uraso was the first to crawl into the enclosure, followed +by George. + +The latter staggered back, as he saw the scene before him. The enclosure +was fully fifteen feet high, and occupied a space, probably, twenty feet +each way. It was constructed of a species of bamboo, exceedingly hard, +two rows of these paling being driven into the ground close together, so +that it was impossible to see through the stockade at any point. + +Within there was absolutely nothing but the bare ground, and a mass of +indescribable filth, as may be imagined. Here, lying on the earth, were +five men, with little or no clothing, covered with dirt and vermin. Two +of them were in fairly good condition, an evidence that they had not +long been prisoners. + +[Illustration: "_'Stop!' cried John, 'It will be death for any one to +touch him'_" [See p. 52]] + +The other three were emaciated, and what surprised the boys most was the +long, matted and tangled beard of one of the three. The moment John saw +that form he turned to the boys and fairly shrieked: "This is a white +man. Cut down that fence, so the men can be taken out, and the moment +they are removed set fire to this place." + +The boys could not understand John's vehement expression. + +"Shall we burn the village?" asked Harry. + +"Oh, no! Burn only this enclosure, and don't let a vestige of it +remain." + +His orders were quickly carried out. Meanwhile, not a quarter of a mile +away, were the Chief and the owners of the village, who, upon seeing the +smoke and the flames, appeared to be frantic. No doubt they regarded it +as a sign that the village was doomed, but they were soon reassured by +the time the stockade was finally consumed, and the few watchers +reported to the Chief that nothing but the prison had been destroyed. + +"We have destroyed the Bastille," remarked John, "and must now take care +of the prisoners." They found that it was indeed a white man who had +been rescued. He was frightfully emaciated, and too weak to talk. + +This was also the condition of the two natives. The other two were soon +restored, after receiving nourishment, and were ready to tell their +story. They had been taken two weeks previously in a battle with the +tribe to the north. + +Through these men they learned that there were only two tribes on the +island, and that this was by far the largest, in point of numbers. There +had been continual war between the two people, and the only thing which +saved his tribe from extermination was the fact that they lived in the +mountain regions, and were thus protected. + +This information was very welcome to John and the boys. The mountains +seemed to have a fascination for them,--and then, the caves, how could +they forget them now? + +For three hours the Chief and his people waited in the distance. John +did not pay any attention to them, apparently. Shortly thereafter two of +his men came in, dragging one of the former patients. + +"We saw him trying to steal away," said one of the men. + +"Was he going toward his people?" asked John. + +"Yes." + +"Then let him go, by all means, and tell him that we would be glad to +have the Chief and his people return." + +The poor fellow was astonished to learn that he was free. He was as much +surprised at this as at the care which they had bestowed to cure him. He +passed through the village, looking about him with furtive glances, but, +at the command of John, no one paid any attention to him. + +When he reached the Chief there was a long consultation, and it was +evident that a momentous change was taking place. The Chief could be +seen constantly glancing toward the village, and soon the self-imposed +messenger returned and approached John. + +"The Chief is willing to see you, and will come to you, if you wish it." +This was imparted to John, and the latter responded: + +"I will go with you." + +He called the two chiefs Muro and Uraso, and the boys, and told them he +would go with the messenger to the Chief, alone, and that they should +have no fear for him. + +Accompanied by the messenger, John walked boldly to the Chief, and going +up, pressed his nose against him, in token of eternal friendship, and +then motioned him to go back to the village. + +The Chief was astounded, first, at the bravery of John in thus coming to +him, and in then vowing eternal friendship. + +There is something very peculiar in the characteristics of savages which +forbids them from violating a peace pledge, or a treaty of friendship +when entered into with the rites that they acknowledge. The most formal +of these rites, is that of rubbing noses together. + +How the custom originated, is not known. It is something like the kiss, +in so far as it is a visible token of either love, friendship, or +esteem. It is seldom that the savage violates the pledge which is thus +given. John knew this, and felt assured the great Chief would respect +it. + +When the latter came into the village, the first sight that met his +eyes, was the demolished stockade. He looked at it for a moment, in +silence. Then some of the old men came forward, and began to tell him +the wondrous tales of kindness. + +The Chief went to his own home, and when he saw that everything was +untouched, and that none of the people was harmed, he could not +understand the actions of the White Chief, and so expressed his +astonishment to Uraso and Muro. When he was told that the latter were +Chiefs of two tribes on Wonder Island, he was still more surprised. + +"Do you not fight each other?" he asked. + +Uraso smiled, as he answered: "Why should we fight? There is no pleasure +in killing, or in causing suffering. We used to think about those things +as you do." + +"What made you think otherwise?" + +"The White Chief told us it was wrong, and we have found that his words +were true." + +"Where is this place where your tribe may be found?" + +"It is on the other side of the sea, over there," answered Uraso, +pointing to the west. + +"Will it take long to get there?" + +"It takes only one sun, and the White Chief would be so happy to take +you there and show you the great village, and to see the people and the +Chiefs who live together in happiness, and to learn from the people +themselves how they enjoy their homes, and make the many curious things +that the White Chief has brought over for you." + +The Chief looked about him, and finally said: "I want to see the White +Chief." + +John had purposely refrained from going to the Chief's home, but Uraso +accompanied him at John's request, because he was the more diplomatic, +and wielded a stronger influence than Muro, owing to his remarkable +personality. + +John was glad of the opportunity, and the boys, as usual, were also +present. The Chief's eyes followed the two boys, as they entered. He +smiled at them, as John came up and greeted him. + +Uraso told John what they had talked about, and that the Chief was +interested in his story of Wonder Island. + +"Our Great Chief will welcome you to Wonder Island," said John. + +The Chief looked at John for a moment, and then his eyes wandered to +Uraso, as he answered: "Is there still a greater Chief? Is there a man +more powerful than this Chief?" + +Uraso laughed, as did John. "Tell him," said John, "that our Chief is +powerful, because he is wise." + +He did not seem to understand this, and asked for more information. +Uraso told him that the white man did not regard the strong man as the +greatest, but that the wisest man was always the Chief. + +Here was certainly a new philosophy. "But," he inquired, "then how can +he rule his people, if he is not strong?" + +"The people willingly submit to his will because they know what he says +is best for them." + +"But does not the Chief sometimes tell them lies, and does he not often +deceive them?" + +"Yes; but when they do so then the people choose another Chief in his +place." + +"And after they have killed the first Chief, and have taken another, +and he lies, do they also kill him?" + +"No; they do not kill the Chiefs, but they only put others in their +places." + +"Then they are not wise Chiefs?" + +"No; they are wise only when they do what is right." + +"Do what is right! What do you mean by that? How can the Chief do +anything but right?" + +"Do you think," asked Uraso, "that the Chief has a right to lie or +deceive?" + +"Yes, he can do that, but not his people. It is wrong for them to do +so." + +"But the white man believes that it is just as wrong for the Chief to +lie and to deceive, as for the people to do so." + +The Chief was silent for a long time, and John purposely permitted him +to reflect on the new dispensation. While thus musing on the new theory, +a woman carrying a child appeared at the door. John saw her, and, +stepping out, took the child from her arms. She permitted it, and when +the Chief appeared she fell down and explained that the White Chief had +been very kind to her. + +John took some medicine from a small vial, and administered it, the +Chief meanwhile looking on in astonishment. Here was a great White +Chief, looking out for the comfort of one of the poorest of his people. + +Uraso knew his thoughts. This woman was the poorest and the lowest in +the tribe, and John, without stopping to make any inquiries as to her +condition, or position in life, had aided her and her old mother. + +Evidently the new doctrine was something so extraordinary, that it was +worth investigating. Uraso saw the embarrassment in the mind of the +Chief, and after speaking a few words, withdrew. + +As they left the Chief's quarters the boys roamed through the village. +The stories of the sufferers which John had aided, the scrupulous care +with which the men guarded the homes of the villagers while they were +absent, had a most telling effect. + +The warriors from Wonder Island mingled with the villagers. It was +singular that there was not an expression of hatred. They fraternized, +and related stories of Wonder Island, and the people told them about +their own island. + +The boys met many of their own ages, and to them they showed the +revolvers, and the marine glasses, and then astounded them by exhibiting +the watches which they carried. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +RETURN OF THE NATIVES + + +Several of the packages left at the landing place, contained numerous +trinkets, and articles of personal adornment, such as the natives +adored. Brightly-colored fabrics, made at the factory on Wonder Island +were also among the many articles, which had been intended to be used as +presents. + +John was gratified to learn, an hour or two after the Chief returned, +that the latter had given orders to the villagers to prepare a feast for +the visitors. + +"But where are the Korinos?" asked George. + +True, they had disappeared. + +"Let us see John about that," responded Harry. + +They had some time in finding him, but later on learned that he was +attending to the wounded, and caring for the late prisoners. + +"It would not be wise to speak to the Chief about that now," responded +John. "The leaven is working well in his mind. Besides, I fear that he +will wreak vengeance on them, and we must prevent him from killing +them." + +As the boys were leaving John they saw fifty of the warriors leave the +Chief's home, marching out of the village to the east. Muro entered the +hut where John was staying, and announced that the Chief wished to see +him. + +John continued with his work, after informing Muro that he would soon +visit the Chief. The boys later saw John and Muro on their way to the +"Palace," as Harry called the royal residence, and begged John's +permission to accompany them. + +The Chief received them with special marks of attention, and John +thanked him for the invitation. + +"This is the day which the Wise Men have appointed for the sacrifices, +and the people are preparing the feast, in accordance with our custom. +It is my wish that you shall be my guests, and take part in our +ceremonies," remarked the Chief. + +Muro, in behalf of John, thanked him for the invitation, and assured him +that they would gladly join in the rites. Then, he continued: "I wish to +inform you that we left at the seashore, on the other side of the +island, some gifts which I am desirous of presenting to you. If you will +order some of your men to accompany my guides they will bring them +back." + +The Chief's eyes lighted up with pleasure. Immediately, a detail of men +were designated, and a half dozen of John's warriors, under the +leadership of Muro, were requested to proceed to the landing. + +The people saw the company depart with the greatest wonder and +curiosity. Muro was instructed to leave a message at the landing, and +return with the packages as soon as possible. They reached the landing +place within two hours, and were rejoiced to see the _Pioneer_ anchored +not far from the shore. + +Stut was recognized at once, but Sutoto had remained at Wonder Island. +The packages were taken to the _Pioneer_, and Muro informed Stut that +they would sail around the island and land near the village. The men +from the village were awe stricken at the sight of the vessel, and it +was difficult to get their consent to embarking but were soon persuaded, +when presented with some of the gifts, which Muro knew would be +acceptable. + + * * * * * + +An hour after the last interview in the Chief's home, the boys saw the +warriors, who had formerly left the Chief's home, marching down the +street of the village, and guarding the Korinos who had formed part of +the Chief's escort earlier in the day. + +They were quite different now in demeanor, and the boys thought they +looked crestfallen. They were ushered into the Chief's presence without +any ceremony. + +They stood there like criminals, and felt that their doom was sealed. "I +have sent for you," he said, "because this is the day you have selected +for the ceremonies. Where are the prisoners to be sacrificed?" + +They were silent. The Chief continued: "You have told us that the Great +Spirit asks for the sacrifices each year when the sun is leaving us, and +when the moon is hiding behind the vail. Bring the captives so they may +be offered up." + +Instantly the Korinos brightened up, and muttered a few words. The Chief +gave an order, and they were marched out of the building. Out of +curiosity, the boys followed. Their steps were directed to the stockade +where the prisoners had been confined. + +To their dismay they saw only the ashes, and were staggered at the +sight. They stood there with wondering eyes. The boys could see that +this was a condition wholly unexpected by them, and it must be said that +there was pity in the hearts of Harry and George, as the leader gave the +order for them to return to the "Palace." + +As they entered John and the Chief were engaged in an animated +conversation, and when the latter saw the Korinos, he stood up and asked +for the victims. + +"They are not there!" was the only response. + +The Chief, not affecting to believe, told them that they were lying to +him. They fell to their knees, but were mute. + +"But the Great Spirit must not be deceived. Great evil will fall upon us +if he is not appeased. If you cannot find the victims I will do so." + +The Chief's voice was terrible in its anger. Outside of their dark homes +the Korinos were subject to the Chief's will. Within the caves they knew +no fear. The boys looked at Uraso and John. A slight smile could be seen +on Uraso's face, as he returned the gaze of the boys; but John's face +was immobile, and did not in the least appear to portray any concern. + +"It is my order that you shall be the victims, and must be offered up as +the sacrifices to prevent the anger of the Great Spirit." + +This doom was pronounced in a voice so full of anger that its +significance was instantly divined by the boys, although they could not +understand all of the words which he uttered. + +They were instantly seized and bound, and being now in a helpless +condition, were carried out of the building, and, with the most brutal +force conveyed by the guard to a hut not far from the Palace, and +literally thrust into the small opening which formed the entrance. + +"Do you suppose they will kill them?" asked Harry, as he moved to the +side of Uraso. + +"I think the Chief means what he says," and Uraso gave a little smile +that somewhat assured them. + +"No; I don't think John will let the Chief kill them," responded George. + +After the removal of the Korinos John asked whether it would be possible +to defer the ceremonies until the following day, for the reason that he +desired to distribute the gifts which the men were bringing from the +landing. + +"If the White Chief so desires it shall be done." + +John manifested his pleasure at the consent thus obtained. + +George and Harry now wandered into every part of the village. For the +first time they noticed that it was located at the western edge of a +beautiful grove, thickly wooded, with tall trees. + +Through this they walked, and before they emerged were delighted at the +sight of the great ocean beyond. "I wonder if John knows we are so +near?" + +They ran to the beach, delighted to have an opportunity for a bath, but +were surprised to see many along the shore with small bags. + +"They are searching for something," remarked Harry. "I wonder what it +can be?" + +"Possibly clams. Don't you remember the first week when we lived on +clams, after we reached Wonder Island? What delightful days we had; and +how afraid we were of every noise, and used to start up at every new +sound." + +"And wasn't it a joy to make the new things, and see every day bring new +wonders to us after we moved to the Cataract?" + +"I have a love for that old home. We were so happy there. I know I am +not happier now when we own all the treasures of the caves, than when we +were building the water wheel, and the little shop, and tending the +yaks," answered George, as he gazed across the sea, and thought of the +glorious times and of their wonderful adventures. + +When they saw the streams of people coming from the shore they recalled +that the people were preparing for the feast. It was remarkable that +clams were an article of food with these people when those on the island +they had just left, despised all fish and sea food. + +They wandered along the beach, fully a mile south of the village, and +quite out of reach of the people, and were soon in the mild surf. After +a half hour of this enjoyment they dressed, and ascended a slight +elevation from which could be seen the character of the land along the +sea. + +To the north and south of their position the land was much higher, the +northern portion having the appearance of very high hills, if not +mountains. + +"Do you think John was thinking about the caves when the guards brought +in the Korinos?" remarked George, as they were descending the ridge. + +"I thought of it," answered Harry. "But I learned from Muro that he +knew where they made their homes!" + +"Then he must have watched them, as John suggested!" + +"No; one of the men told him just before he left." + +"What did he say?" + +"That they should follow the trail to the north of the grove until they +reached the sea." + +"Then Muro must know that the sea is near?" + +"I think he does." + +During the descent from the hill the ocean was visible directly to the +east. Both, at the same instant, caught sight of a sail. They gasped in +surprise, as they gazed at the unusual spectacle. + +"I would like to know who that can be," queried Harry. "Let us tell John +and then get something so we can signal it." + +They rushed down the hill, and ran hurriedly through the streets of the +village, to the surprise of the inhabitants. First going to the Chief's +house, without finding him, they went to the improvised hospital where +the wounded Korinos were being cared for. + +There John was found, together with Uraso and the Chief. "We have seen a +sail," shouted George. "We want something to use as a signal." John +bounded up, and Uraso rushed out and soon fished out a white cloth, and +ran down through the grove after the boys. + +Three hundred feet to the right was a slight elevation, which the boys +had noticed, and as it was devoid of trees offered the most available +place for the signal flag. They scurried around for some pole which +would answer, and to this the white cloth was quickly attached. + +John was the last to reach the signaling point. He was laughing +immoderately, as he noticed the frantic signaling. "Where are your field +glasses, George?" + +"They are in the village. I forgot about them." + +"If you had used them you would not be surprised at the visitor." + +The boys stopped signaling for a moment, and then looked at the ship. + +"It isn't possible that is the _Pioneer_?" + +"Look again, for yourself; don't you know your own work?" + +The ship had seen the signal, and now turned. Then they recognized the +grand little vessel, that was almost a part of themselves, for they had +worked many months to complete her, and had tried to put good luck and +best wishes into every plank and spar and sail. + +The Chief, too, was coming. The whole village joined to welcome the +ship, for when Uraso told the Chief that their own ship was coming, he +could not resist the temptation to witness the arrival. + +Was it possible that Muro reached the landing place before the ship +left? John thought so, but the boys doubted it. Muro left before noon, +and it was now past five in the evening. + +As the vessel neared the shore the people lined up and the boys crowded +close to the shore. They were the first to recognize Muro, to their +great delight. He waved his hand to them, and Stut was by his side. + +"Good old Stut!" shouted George. "Where is Sutoto?" + +"In Wonder Island!" was the response. + +They were disappointed at this, but there was too much for them to think +about, as the anchor was being swung, and as soon as it dropped, a boat +was lowered from each side, and the men began to descend from the short +ladder, while the village people watched the proceeding with silent +wonderment. + +Muro was the first to touch the shore, and then came the villagers who +were on the mission with Muro. They were the heroes to their friends. +They knew their duty to their Chief, however, and the latter had a most +animated conversation with them, and particularly so after he had +noticed the array of trinkets which Muro had bestowed on them. + +While this was going on the boats returned and bundles and packages were +brought out of the ship and deposited in the boats. After they had been +taken from the boats, John said: "With your permission I will take these +things to your house." + +The Chief assented, and on his orders the men in the village gathered up +the assortment of gifts and the procession filed along the path to the +village. + +The feast that evening reminded them of the welcome which the Chief +Beralsea extended to them the second night after their arrival at +Venture Island. Besides the clams referred to there was an abundance of +fish, several varieties, besides game and meats, and the only thing +which they seemed to lack, or which was rather meager in quantity, was +fruit. + +Like all natives of these islands, they were experts at spitting the +meats. The most delicious was a species of ground hog, that the boys +frequently caught on Wonder Island. The boys had watched the method of +roasting these animals. + +A strong green tapering stick, about four feet long was selected, and +the bark was peeled off, so as to give it a smooth surface. The small +end of this was sharpened, and driven through the animal, from end to +end, so that it was held firmly on the stick, midway between its ends. + +[Illustration: _Fig. 5. Spitting the Roast._] + +Two forked posts were then driven into the ground, about three feet +apart, and the stick laid in the forks. A fire of wood, previously built +between the posts was permitted to accumulate a quantity of coal, and +when a hot fire was thus generated, one of the natives would +continuously rotate the stick, so that the heat affected all sides +evenly, and the result would be the most tempting roast imaginable. This +is a practice common with savages all over the world, varying only in +the details of the preparations. + +All the vegetables were roasted, in hot coals. In this respect their +custom was different from the practice followed in Venture Island, for +there they knew how to make stews. Here they knew nothing about pottery, +but like all islanders in the South Seas, the wrecks would, occasionally +cast cooking utensils, like pots, or pans, ashore, and these +highly-prized articles were sure to be taken by the Chiefs, or by the +Krishnos themselves, where they could get them by stealth. + +[Illustration: _Fig. 6. Arialad Fruit. Sarsaparilla._] + +Unlike the natives of Wonder Island, they had potatoes, the wild variety +which the boys found the second day after they were cast ashore. The +Taro root, that vegetable which grows in the greatest abundance in every +section south of the Equator, to the lower border of the south temperate +zone, was the chief dish, and was also roasted in like manner. + +What surprised them most was a drink that pleased John, who at once +recognized its origin. They called it Arialad, and George declared it +was a fine quality of Sarsaparilla. + +"You are correct," said John. "Its real botanical name is Arialace. It +belongs to the same family as spikenard and ginseng. Very few natives +know of its value. It is both a medicine and a refreshing drink." + +"If it grows in abundance here it would be a good thing to gather for +export," observed Harry. + +"A boat load of the roots would be worth a fortune," rejoined John. + +There was the utmost good fellowship among all present. In accordance +with the custom among most of these people the women did not partake of +the food in the presence of the men. They acted as the servants in +serving the food, but the men prepared the meal, a sort of well-balanced +family arrangement, as George observed. + +"But who washes the dishes?" asked Harry with a laugh, in which all +joined. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE SAVAGE CEREMONIALS + + +The next day was the one appointed for the ceremonies. The boys were +expectant, because during all their experiences in the islands, this was +the first time they had an opportunity to witness one of these +spectacles. + +It was noticed that no preparations were made for a morning meal by the +natives. All were specially garbed for the occasion, if the colored +decorations counted for anything in the way of additional clothing. + +They were adept in the art of weaving cloth, which was made in small +sections, and sewn together, similar to the practice in most of these +primitive countries. They were not altogether devoid of knowledge +pertaining to dyes, the most frequent being blue, which John soon +ascertained came from some copper deposits. + +The Madder plant was the most common on the island, and this afforded a +red color, the most lasting of all dyes, and the most generally in use +throughout the civilized world, until the aniline dyes took its place. + +For black they resorted to the common method of using carbon which is +the stock material in our own country. This was produced by them from +burnt wood, and not from any of the coal products. + +Their faces were painted a hideous red and blue, principally in the +nature of great zig-zag stripes, and the exposed parts, of the bodies +were of diverse figures, some of them really artistic. The preparation +of these personal decorations consumed the greater portion of the night, +as the boys afterwards learned. + +When they emerged from their hut in the morning, and saw the grotesque +figures all about the village, they could hardly repress a smile; but as +every one was smiling and happy, they did not have to make any +pretentions, but smiled and laughed as the men and women circled about, +because they couldn't help themselves. + +The women were not so gaudily attired as the men. Their decorations were +expended on clothing, as it was not considered good form to decorate +their bodies. + +All the men carried spears, and many of them were wicked-looking +instruments. What surprised them was the fact that all the spear-points +were now covered over, or bound up by colored material, forming a sort +of sphere, to which three colored streamers were attached, one white, +one red and the other blue. + +"My, but they are patriotic!" remarked George, as he saw the design and +the streamers. + +John smiled, as he observed them. "But do you notice that the point of +the spear is covered?" + +"I was about to ask the meaning of that," said Harry. + +"This is the day of feasting and of sacrifices. The covered point +indicates that there is peace; and that no one can commit an injury. I +imagine the points will be uncovered quickly enough the moment they are +ready for the sacrifices." + +"I am more interested in the fact that they use the American colors. I +wish we had one of the flags here. That idea has just struck me as being +the proper thing." And George danced about at the scheme. + +Harry was just as much affected now. "Why not consult Uraso and Muro, +and bring over the big flag from the ship?" + +John laughed at the idea. "A brilliant idea. The flag will be a big +attraction, but I warn you that if you get it I shall have to insist +that you must head the procession with it." + +"Are we going to have a procession?" + +"I believe that is the first thing on the list." + +"But where is the procession going? Is it the custom to march along the +principal streets and out along the boulevards?" + +This idea was so laughable to Harry and Uraso and Muro, that they had a +fit of laughter. The two Chiefs were just like boys, and entered in to +the spirit of the undertaking with a vim that pleased the boys. + +They fairly flew to the landing, and manned the boat. "We have come for +the flag," announced George, as Stut was looking on the excitable boys. + +"Why not take both of them?" responded Stut. + +"Certainly," answered Harry. "I had forgotten about the other. And while +we are about it, why not have the band come along?" + +This was answered by a shout. One of the new acquirements of the natives +of Wonder Island, was music, and when the boys returned from the States +they brought along several fine sets of band instruments, one set of +which was always on the vessel, and was used for evening concerts. + +"Where is Mano?" asked Harry. + +Mano was the leader of the ship's band, but he was not to be found. + +"John sent for Mano an hour ago, and he is now in the village." + +"Then send for him at once. Tell him he must be here as soon as John is +through with him," said George. + +While the flags were being wrapped up one of the small boats came from +the shore, and Mano stepped out. + +Harry ran up and said: "Get the boys and the instruments ready. You must +play for us to-day during the ceremonies." + +Mano smiled as he answered: "John told me about it last night, and I +went over merely to find out what music I should take." + +"So John tried to steal a march on us?" remarked Harry. "How soon will +you be ready?" + +"We are all ready now. I was told at the Chief's house that the +procession would start in a half hour." + +When the flags were brought out it was Mano's time to stare. "I think," +he said, "that will surprise John, but the idea is a proper one." + +The band comprised nine musicians and the two drummers. The moment they +landed the band formed four abreast, and directly behind were the two +boys with the Stars and Stripes. To the tune of "Columbia, the Gem of +the Ocean," they marched straight to the home of the Chief. + +The crashing music, and the magnificent flags brought pandemonium to +that savage village. Nothing like it had ever been known before. Long +before the band reached the Palace all the inhabitants of the town had +rushed down, and at Uraso's and Muro's suggestion the people followed +behind, and thus made a procession which was the most unique that it was +possible to describe. + +"That scheme will make a success of the ceremonies," remarked George, +almost too full for utterance. "Why the thing wouldn't be a success +without the flags and the music." + +"I wonder how the thing will fit in when it comes to the sacrifices this +afternoon? I imagine the Korinos ought to feel like dying when they are +to have such an unusual funeral procession?" Harry said this with a bit +of irony, as he turned to George and grinned at the idea. + +John knew what was coming, but the Chief didn't. He and John came out +together, when they heard the music. The boys, behind the band could not +see the great sights that were taking place in the rear, but John stood +there beside the big Chief, and was simply convulsed with laughter. + +The natives were not walking. They were dancing, and the Chief, at first +astounded at the music, and at the waving flags, soon joined John in +laughter as they witnessed this remarkable scene. + +Uraso had taken part in numerous celebrations at Unity, and knew what +disposition to make of the people when they arrived. The band marched +past, and John raised his hand in the form of a salutation, and the +Chief noticing this imitated him. + +"The old fellow is learning rapidly how to do the correct thing," +suggested Harry. + +"Yes; John will have him in a swallow-tail coat before night." + +The band marched past, and then turned around and came back, and as fast +as the people came up Uraso and Muro directed them where to stand, so +that when the band stopped they formed a large semi-circle facing the +Chief and John. + +The boys walked forward so they stood with the flags midway between the +band and the Chief. The latter motioned for the band to continue. John +understood, and a new tune was struck up. The Chief was fascinated. When +that tune was concluded, the Chief wanted another, quite forgetting the +importance of the ceremonial rites. + +While the last tune was being played the boys saw a tall man, with a +huge spear, and a face most hideously painted. His body had +characteristic stripes, entirely unlike those of the other people. +Behind him marched the Korinos, without a sign or mark on them different +from the costumes worn by them on the preceding day. + +As they filed along behind the leader, the boys noticed that the first +one carried a thong-like rope: the second a knife; the third a sort of +vessel, and the fourth a pair of short sticks. + +The people paid no attention to them, while the band was playing, but +when it ceased, it was evident that they shrunk back from these dreaded +men. + +John beckoned Uraso and Muro to come forward, and the Chief welcomed +them. "As chiefs of your tribes you should be here with us. The White +Chief tells me that in his country the band and the flag always go +first, and I have asked him to tell us how we should march to the +forest." + +John then told those present how the procession should form. The band +was marched to the front, and George, who had the small flag, was placed +directly behind the band. Then the Chief, with Uraso and Muro on either +side, and directly behind them Harry took position with the large flag. + +After the flag the Korinos, without their tall leader, however, were +placed in line. John then motioned to the people to take their places +following the Korinos, and the moment the column was thus formed the +band struck up a lively marching tune, and John accompanied by the tall +fantastic leader, went ahead of the band. + +The leader knew, of course, where the procession must go, and he thus +wisely made the arrangement for the occasion. The procession wended its +way directly to the north, along a well-beaten path, and after ascending +a hill, turned to the left, and entered a sort of grove. + +The boys were delighted to notice the magnificent Magnolia trees in full +bloom, the flowers of which surpassed anything they had ever seen, and +the perfume was almost overpowering in its intensity. + +To the boys this peculiar procession had something mysterious about it. +Neither John, nor the two Chiefs had any idea of its significance. John +directed a questioning look toward the articles which the Korinos +carried. + +When the crest of the hill was reached they made one complete circle, +and the head of the column stopped before the most magnificent magnolia +tree in the grove. The leader marched along the line and the people soon +formed themselves into a circle with the tree in the center. + +All chatter had stopped. While ascending the hill, and up to this time, +there was a never ending clatter of voices; but now all were quiet, and +gazed to the top of the tree. The tall leader, at the nod of the Chief +came forward and approached the tree, and with the long spear struck it +three times, and then turned to the Korinos, who had now followed him. + +Then, he turned again, and struck the tree three times more, and this +was repeated the third time. After stepping back he raised the spear, +and held it over the head of the Korino who carried the rope. The latter +stepped to the tree and with a dextrous throw sent a coil of rope over +the first limb and caught the other end of it. + +The spear was then laid over the head of the man with the knife, and he +sprang forward grasping the rope, and when the spear was poised on high, +he gracefully crept hand over hand up the rope. + +The instant the man's hand seized the rope the people fell to the ground +and covered their faces. The boys did not want to lose this part of the +ceremony, you may be sure, but they tried to observe the rites. + +A side glance was sufficient to assure them that the Chief did not +kneel, nor did either John, Uraso or Muro; but they were privileged +characters, so the boys went through the ceremony by peering through +their fingers, and at the same time trying to find out whether there +were not others trying to do the same. + +The man went up and up, and soon emerged from the last spare branches at +the top, until his face was near the great white flower which grew on +the tip. + +"I think that is the flower all the people were looking at," said George +in a whisper. + +The man raised the knife, and with one slash severed the stem. Then, +raising himself up to his full height, so his body could be plainly +seen, he waved the flower about his head three times, and the leader at +the base of the tree again struck the trunk three times. + +Immediately the people arose and placed their hands before them exactly +like a bather on a perch about to dive, and with the palms of the hands +thus placed against each other, the arms were raised to a vertical +position, and lowered three times. + +With hands still in their lowered position, and eyes cast on the ground, +the Korino in the tree slowly descended, and the one who threw the rope +quickly detached it from the tree. + +The spear was then placed over the head of the man with the sticks. He +crossed his legs and sat down, and with an exceedingly rapid motion, +soon caused smoke to arise, and then a tiny flame appeared. + +"Why didn't they tell us about it, and we could have let them use some +of our matches," said George dryly, as Harry made a great show of +indignation at the irrelevant remark. + +A fire was quickly kindled, and the man with the bowl knelt down, after +fixing two stones on opposite sides of the fire. From a small receptacle +he took a powder, and dropped it into the bowl, and after holding the +flower aloft, the man who took it from the tree, dropped it into the +smoking bowl. + +Instantly the people resumed their natural poses, and began to dance. +The Chief spoke a word to Uraso, and the band struck up a lively tune. +Then, to the ringing blare of the band, and the shrieks and shouts of +the people the dance began. It was one continuous whirl, and many of +them became frenzied. + +The Chief himself participated in this part of the ceremony, and swung +himself around and around in a giddy whirl. During all this time each +fellow was for himself. They did not have partners as in the civilized +dances. + +The tangoing was an individual effort, and each enjoyed it in his own +way, but they all kept step to the music, showing the savage +characteristic of being able to observe rhythmic effects. + +The boys caught the spirit of the occasion, and joined in the wild +swirl. Uraso and Muro were at it, and the sole spectator was John, who +said that he felt too old to learn the new steps. + +When the band stopped the people rested, but there was no disposition to +break up the merry party, and when the music again struck up the whole +scene was acted over again. It was noon before the grand ball ceased. + +Then, at a sign from the Chief the procession reformed, and went back +over the trail, the people dancing all the way, and, apparently, without +exhibiting any signs of weariness, although it must be stated that the +band was nearing collapse, when the people dispersed. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +SIGNIFICANCE OF NATIVE RITES + + +As heretofore stated, there had been no morning meal, and the dancing +must have been a trying task, under those conditions. + +"It would have been much better if we had something to eat before this +part of the ceremony. I am so hungry I could eat anything," remarked +George, as they neared the village. + +"The natives do not think so. That is part of the ceremony. It must be +carried out before a meal is taken," answered John, "or it will not have +the proper effect." + +Uraso overheard the remark, and he added: "The Chief said they had never +known such a scene as took place to-day, and that it was not a part of +the regular ceremony to have the dancing at that time, but that the +wonderful music seemed to win every one." + +"I heard him say it was the first time in years that he had danced. How +he enjoyed it," remarked Muro. "I admit that it was the best dance I had +since the boys got back. That was a big time at Unity when you +returned." + +"I think," said Harry, "that was the queerest performance I ever heard +of. What a foolish thing to cut a flower from the top of a tree, and go +through all that ceremony, using Old Fantastic with his flourishing +spear to conduct the ridiculous rites." + +"Do you think it is any more foolish than many things which civilized +people do?" asked John. + +Harry mused a while, and then continued: "Probably not, when I think of +it, but with us the ceremonies really mean something; at least, it seems +to me that they are intended to." + +"Yes, and that is generally so with the native rites. Sometimes the +origin is rather obscure, but everything of this character comes from +something in the past, of which it is symbolic. Spencer, in his work on +'Evolutions of Ceremonial Forms of Government,' recites a curious +instance of this, where he shows that the habit of stroking the mustache +is a survival of scalping." + +The boys laughed. "That must be pretty well far-fetched," responded +George. + +"Do you think so?" answered John. "He reasons it in this way. It was, +formerly the custom, among most savage tribes, to take the hair of +victims, to be used as personal adornment, or to indicate the valor of +the warrior. Among some tribes in the Philippines and also in the +interior of Africa, the custom is to take the head of an enemy." + +"Do you mean the Head hunters?" + +"Yes; you have probably heard a great deal about them since we acquired +the Philippines. When men began to get a little higher in the scale of +civilization, the victor required some token of submission from the +conquered, so the latter plucked a wisp of hair from his head and +presented it to indicate defeat. During the seventeenth century it was +the rule of the Spanish Court that all inferiors, in addressing +superiors, must stroke the mustache, and this came from the old idea of +the hair token." + +"Do you suppose that the taking of the flower has any particular +significance?" + +"Most assuredly! There must be a flower before there can be fruit. This +is the beginning of the season or the beginning of the year, to these +people, and the largest-flower, at the top of the greatest tree is the +one taken while it is at full bloom, and incinerated." + +[Illustration: _Fig. 7. The Mistletoe._] + +"Is that what they did in that bowl-shaped vessel?" + +"Yes, and I imagine they will use the ashes in some part of their +rites." + +"Did you ever know of other tribes that do anything like that?" + +"Yes; very many; in fact most savage tribes have some sort of rites +which they scrupulously follow out as a religious duty. Ancient history +records many such practices in detail. Thus, the Druids, a peculiar +class, or order of priests, which existed among the Celtic races, +attributed a sacred or mystic character to plants, and venerated the oak +tree." + +"I have read that they offered up human sacrifices," said Harry. + +"Yes; I was coming to that. But do you know that they regarded the +mistletoe as an antidote for all poisons and a cure for all diseases? At +certain seasons in the year it would be gathered, and with the greatest +ceremonies one of the priests would ascend the tree on which it was +found, and cut it off with a golden knife." + +"But is the mistletoe found on the Oak?" + +"Yes; but it grows more frequently on the Apple tree. The seeds are +distributed by birds, and owing to the fact that it is found so +infrequently on the oak, the Druids considered it peculiarly sacred on +that account." + + * * * * * + +The delicious odor of the roasted food, which met the people on their +return, was a compensation for the lack of the morning breakfast. The +Chief had invited John, Uraso, Muro, the two boys, and Stut, to +accompany him to his home. + +There in the open court, if it might so be called, were the viands in +the greatest profusion. They were surprised to see that at each place +was a couch, and before every visitor was laid a bountiful supply of +food. In all their wanderings George and Harry never ate with a greater +relish than on the present occasion. + +The meal the previous day, was not at all comparable to this. It would +have vied with many a meal set before our civilized gastronomies. The +table implements, it is true, were not found in profusion, but the +wooden forks, or prongs were good substitutes for the more refined +articles, and for plates hollowed bark sections were found serviceable. + +The Sarsaparilla drink was the most favored liquid. "I wish we had some +ice for it," suggested Harry. "It will be a good thing to bring over +some ice for the Chief. I think he would enjoy it." + +"By the way, Harry, did you see what they did with the Korinos?" + +"No." + +"Shut them up in that dark hole back of the house." + +"I wonder if they have given them anything to eat?" + +"Oh, no!" said Muro. "They are to be sacrificed this afternoon, and it +wouldn't do to feed them." + +"Poor fellows!" remarked George, as he gazed vacantly before him, lost +in contemplation. + +"Well, they have been found out, and will now be dealt with in +accordance with their law." + +"Was that tall fellow one of them?" + +"Yes; he is the principal chief of the Korinos. Do you know they tried +to escape last night?" exclaimed Uraso. + +"Is that so? Where could they go in safety on this island?" + +"To their caves, of course," remarked Harry. + +"Yes," added Uraso, "the Chief has no authority under ground." + +The people gorged; so did the Chief. The meal was a course dinner, at +least so far as the time it took to get through with all the dishes, and +the boys smiled as they saw the Chief slowly sink down, and pass off +into oblivion. + +John sat there, gazing on him, and slowly nodding his head at the +spectacle. He did not evince disgust, and when George spoke to him about +this peculiar savage trait, he remarked: "Is he any worse than many +people in our own country, who do the same thing? This is not gluttony +with the savage; he knows no better. This is one of the great enjoyments +of life which the savage knows. Teach him something better and he will +respond." + +"When you stop to think of it," replied George, "I really don't see why +it is such an awful thing to eat until you are stuffed to sleepiness?" + +"The real argument against it is on sanitary grounds," suggested John. +"We regard gluttony as bad because it is a selfish exhibition of taste +and habits, and in this I quite agree; but among savages the custom of +regularity in habits is not one of their understood laws. I have known +North American Indians who could each devour from six to eight pounds of +beef, and drink two quarts of coffee at one sitting. But those men would +not eat another meal for three days." + +During the meal hour there was a continual round of merriment, and every +one was enjoying himself to the fullest extent. But now the hum of +voices ended. The boys were surprised. + +"They are taking their noon-day siestas," said John, laughing. + +The boys arose and passed out. It was true, indeed. The men, and women +too, were taking naps everywhere, the grotesque figures lying where they +had eaten their food. + +[Illustration: _Fig. 8. The Jacchus._] + +They made a tour. No one appeared to take any notice of them, as they +passed through the open places between the huts, because all of the food +was eaten in the open, and not within the huts. The village looked like +one immense picnic ground. + +As they were returning toward the Chief's house they caught sight of the +hut in which the Korinos were confined. To their astonishment two of +them were crawling out the enclosure, and the leader was particularly +noticeable, peering from the side of the hut. + +"Shall we give the alarm?" asked Harry. + +"No, no! See John; he will know what to do." + +As they passed the hut the guards lay in blissful sleep, and seeing this +the boys rushed in and excitedly told John of the jail delivery and the +advisability of giving the alarm. + +He held up his hand, in caution, as he smiled at the announcement. "Do +you want the poor fellows to be sacrificed?" + +"By no means." + +"Then let them go. Possibly the Chief may find some way to get them +back." + +Two hours later the village took on another aspect. It was now about +five o'clock in the afternoon, but in the meantime boy-like they had +investigated every part of the surrounding scenery, being particularly +interested in the monkeys which were seen in the trees everywhere. + +The most amusing to the boys was a small animal that had a "beard all +around his face," as George expressed it. It was small, hardly exceeding +a foot in height, a sort of olive-gray color, and a round tail twice the +length of the body. + +"I think I know what you have reference to," suggested John, when +appealed to. "It is the Jacchus, and is related to the Marmozets and the +Tamarins. They are very active, like squirrels, and live on nuts, seeds, +roots and fruit." + +The Chief awakened as the boys entered, and within the next half hour +was ready for the continuance of the festival. + +"I should like to know what the next thing is on the programme? This is +a little inconvenient, not knowing just what is going to take place," +was George's observation. + +"John will know if any one does, but I suppose he is too busy now with +his Royal Highness," answered Harry with a laugh. + +But the boys were not kept long in suspense. The natives understood, as +it appeared, for they were soon congregated around the Palace, and now +for the first time the boys noticed a large, imposing-looking native, +who carried an immense knotted club. To satisfy the reader's curiosity, +it may be well to describe him. He wore a loin cloth, made of the skins +of the small animals which were found all over the island, and, to all +appearances, at least a half dozen different kinds of pelts were used to +make up the garment, the ends, or corners of which hung down in points +to form a fringe. + +At his ankles were two huge bands, made of cloth, and plentifully +decorated with spangles of shells, and rows of nuts, strung on cords, +like beads. Around his neck and trailing down the back was a collar of +interwoven leaves, very artistically arranged, if judged from the +viewpoint of savage decorations. + +The head dress was unique, being made up of a band of coarsely-woven +cloth, literally covered with large fish scales, and a pyramidal +structure was fastened to this band, and extended up beyond the crown +for a foot, or more. At its apex was a mass of streamers, which +fluttered around as the breeze floated by. + +The weapon was fully five feet long, the head of the club, for such it +was, terminated in a gnarled knot, bristling with small points. This +the boys recognized to be somewhat similar to the wicked thing that was +carried by the Korino when he sought to slay Tarra. + +The Chief was also differently attired. He was literally covered with +clothing, the different parts being dyed with various colors without any +regard to harmony, or design. Like all the others he wore no foot +covering, but had bare feet. + +The crown was also a cloth band, but this was surrounded by +vertically-arranged thorns, huge things that showed their bristling +points, and wound, or rather braided around them, were garlands of human +hair, of different hues. + +The Royal wand was an immense black staff, fully two inches thick, and +six feet long, one end of which was pointed, the other end terminating +within a large calabash. This wand he held with the pointed end upward. + +When he appeared at the doorway the people fell down on their faces, and +after a few words all arose, and the man with the club turned toward the +hut where the Korinos were confined. Four of the largest warriors +accompanied him, while the people looked on in expectancy. + +"The fun will now begin," whispered Harry, and it surely did. The club +bearer returned with a troubled look, and addressed the Chief. + +The people soon learned of what had taken place, and the commotion was +evident. They speedily lost all semblance of order, and began to run to +and fro. The scowl on the face of the Chief was terrible, nor did he in +the least attempt to conceal his anger. + +With a vehemence that caused the crowd to shiver, he gave a command, and +in a moment three men were brought forward, almost in a state of +collapse with terror written in their countenances. They were the +unfortunate guards, as the boys quickly saw. + +They were unable to answer the indictment of the Chief, because the +escape had been as much of a surprise to them as to the Chief. Uraso and +Muro were quick to recognize the situation, and they informed John of +the progress of the conversation. + +The negligent guards had been condemned to take the places of the +Korinos, as sacrifices. The rites demanded some victims, and the boys +now saw that the escape of the Korinos would not avoid the carrying out +of the bloody rites. + +The new, victims-to-be were firmly bound, and placed in the center of +the crowd, and, strangely enough, it was now noticed that the people +expressed the same degree of hatred to the poor unfortunates that they +had manifested toward the Korinos an hour before. + +The Chief was now at the head of the procession, which, instead of going +to the north, passed alongside the slight elevation that led north of +the grove, and toward the high elevation which the boys had noticed the +day before. + +The march was but a short one, and when the upper level was reached the +boys were astounded to see that beyond, and next to the hill, on the +north, was an open space, the floor of which was of solid rock. This +space covered nearly an acre, and near the center was a flat rocky +table, fully ten feet in diameter and about four feet high, with a huge +boulder in the center of the table. + +The Chief and the victims marched directly to the stone table, the +executioner tramping with a measured tread immediately ahead of the +victims. The people did not go near the rocky shelf, but circled about +at a respectful distance. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +HYPNOTISM ON SAVAGES + + +All those with the Chief's party, approached the table, upon which the +executioner mounted the rock, and stood there, as though inviting the +admiration of the crowd. + +John spoke a few words to Uraso, and the latter addressed the Chief as +follows: "The White Chief says that to offer these men as a sacrifice +will be against the wishes of the Great Spirit, if they are destroyed by +the weapon which is now in the hands of the one on the rock." + +The Chief quickly turned. "What would the White Chief have me do? I +cannot free these culprits, because it is the law that they shall die in +place of those who are appointed to be the victims." + +"The White Chief does not ask for their lives, but only that the manner +of their death shall be changed." + +"That shall be done. What is the White Chief's wish?" + +"He will be the executioner." + +The Chief threw his arms around Uraso's neck, in raptures of joy, and +turning to the man on the table, ordered him to descend. John quietly +conferred with Uraso, and the latter mounted the table, and the +prisoners were led up until they faced him. + +Uraso, addressing them, said: "You have been condemned by your Chief to +die because you have deceived his people and brought sorrow on all. The +Great White Chief has seen the misery you have caused by allowing the +Korinos to escape, and you must now take their places as the victims to +appease the Great Spirit. + +"The White Chief has asked to be permitted to offer you up as sacrifices +to his God, as well, and the White Man's death is a terrible one. When +you die it will not cause you to go out of the world forgetting all that +you may suffer, but you will always know and suffer through all time, +and you will never know a day that is free from misery. + +"Your dying will be like a thousand deaths, and your living hours will +be like fire that always burns and never consumes." + +Thus Uraso went on, and as he spoke the poor victims' eyes grew greater +and greater, and the terror more pronounced. He ceased for a moment and +John slowly walked to the table, and mounting it, said quietly to Uraso: +"Tell them that when I raise my hands over my head the ends of their +living death will begin." + +When this was imparted, the agony on their faces was pitiful to see. +John advanced, and spread out his palms toward them, and quickly drew +his hands toward him, and this was repeated three times. + +It is a curious thing that most savages believe in the mysticism of some +particular number. In Africa some tribes, if they hear an animal cry +four times, will brave any danger, as it is a sign that the bird has +knowledge of safety to his person. + +Others watch with great care the repetition of an insect's call, and +particularly the number of times an unusual noise occurs, and the belief +is somewhat analogous to the views which white people have about the +cricket. Milton, Byron, Southey, and Dickens have written stories about +them, so it is not to be wondered at that the poor benighted savages +should have some belief about such things. + +After the rites at the tree in the forest, it was evident that three was +the cryptic, or mysterious number, and John used it on this occasion, +for in all the peculiar signs that he had previously employed, three was +the number that impressed itself on the minds of the people, and it +doubtless had its effect on the condemned. + +Slowly John moved from side to side, and he now saw the intense +expression, as their eyes followed his every motion. His motions grew +less and less rapid; he moved toward them, and then suddenly retreated, +and through all these evolutions the three men's faces became more and +more tense, and finally the muscles of their faces relaxed, their eyes +stared with a blank expression, and the motions of John almost ceased. + +The boys looked about them. They, too, had a spell woven about them +which they could not understand. It was the most remarkable feeling they +had ever experienced. The multitude did not stir a limb. The Chief was +rigid, his face colorless, lips parted, and eyes fixed at what he saw +before him. + +Suddenly, John sprang forward, and raised both arms high above his head, +and instantly the three men fell back and lay rigid, full length on the +rock. John turned, but while there were forms before him, there was no +sound. Hundreds of eyes gazed, but they stared mutely. + +"I feel awfully funny," said Harry. + +"Do you know what John has been doing?" asked George. + +"I know; he has hypnotized the men!" + +"Yes; and everybody else!" + +When John turned, he waved his hand, the audience relaxed its tension, +and witnessed the death (?) of the three men, an act performed by the +White Chief without having touched them. The Chief slowly walked +forward, and Uraso led him to the platform, while John pointed to the +mute victims. + +John motioned to Uraso to raise the first man by lifting his feet while +he grasped the shoulders, and when the body was lifted up it was +perfectly rigid. The same exhibition was performed with the two others. +That they were dead, was apparent to the Chief and the people. + +The people surged to and fro. John was a Korino now, in the eyes of the +people. When the people pressed forward John spoke to Uraso, and he +turned to the people. + +"The White Chief says that there will be no more sacrifices, because the +Great Spirit wills it otherwise. The Korinos must be brought from the +caves--" + +Uraso could get no further. The people were aroused. Their voices could +be heard uttering threats against the witch doctors. + +John saw that they were determined to wreak vengeance upon them, but he +counseled them to be wise and obey their Chief, and that the Korinos +would acknowledge their own error. + +The wives and children of the three guards were present, as they were +compelled to be, and, as may well be imagined, their grief was terrible +to behold. + +Uraso again spoke to the people, and said: "The White Chief intends to +show that the Great Spirit does not wish sacrifices, and will give back +the guards to their families." + +When he ceased speaking John stooped forward, and waved his hands three +times, the motion being formed by throwing his hands forward, palms +downward, and then slowly raising them up, and with an upward and an +outward swing, bringing them down again. + +Then he advanced forward a few feet and held out his arms horizontally, +with the palms uppermost, and speaking a few words, the arms were +impressively raised. As he did so the three men slightly turned, and +then almost simultaneously raised themselves to a sitting posture, and +glanced about wildly. + +The consternation on the part of the natives at this sight was beyond +all description. They were awe stricken, and dumbfounded. Not the +slightest sound could be heard, as the men arose to their feet. + +The only ones who were joyously affected were the wives of the men who, +at the words of Uraso, sprang forward and were about to ascend the rock, +but at the command of John they leaped from the table, and the children +gathered about them. + +The Chief did not utter a word of protest. He remained there utterly +speechless. When John asked him what was the next thing to be done to +carry out the rites, he remained standing for some time without +answering. + +When he had gathered together his faculties he turned to the people and +said: "The Great White Chief has shown his power, and proven to us that +our Korinos have lied to us. They must be destroyed. Let the people +return to the village, and proceed with the feast. We shall be guided by +the White Chief." + +This was, indeed, the effect that John wished to produce, but he did not +also anticipate that the Chief would insist upon the destruction of the +Korinos. + +The feast that afternoon was a repetition on a larger scale, of the +feast of the day before. Indeed, this was now the third day of feasting. + +"I don't know whether I can eat any more for a few days," said Harry, as +they neared the village, and saw the preparations going on. + +George laughed, as he responded: "We shall have to go through with this +thing, whatever the cost. Have you forgotten that they believe in +_three_ for everything? Didn't John make three passes to kill them; and +three more to bring them to life again? We have had two feasts, and must +now have one more. I don't know what the result will be if I eat half as +much even, as I did yesterday." + +John laughed heartily, as he added: "That is correct, too, about the +feasts. Notice from this time on that about everything they do will be +measured by threes." + +As the boys afterwards remarked, they never knew how they got through +the feast that day, but they tried to imitate John in partaking of the +good things in moderation. + +It was late in the night when the natives ceased the dancing, which was +the signal for the end of the festival, although in many respects it was +entirely different from the previous ceremonies, as Uraso and Muro +learned in talking with the natives. + +The next day was ushered in with a rainstorm, the first that was +experienced on the island, and there was no opportunity to make any +excursions. It had been John's intention to settle the fate of the +Korinos, as he felt that this was a matter that should have his +attention before they left on the further explorations of the island. + +Since it was impossible to venture out far from the village, John spent +the most of the day attending to the wounded and the sick, although they +had not been neglected in the meantime, not even during the ceremonies +of the past three days. + +The first visit was made to the quarters of the white man who was found +in the stockade when they took possession of the village. It was evident +from the greeting that he and John had had several conversations +previous to this visit, but of this the latter did not advise the boys. + +When they came into the room he was sitting up, and he greeted John and +the boys. He could speak, but it was with a weak voice, and the boys +ranged themselves on one side while John seated himself on the other. + +"You told me yesterday," began John, "that when you were shipwrecked you +were cast ashore on another island. How many companions had you?" + +"Three," he answered. "One of them was a large man, with brown hair and +piercing eyes, who was formerly an officer in the navy, and was at that +time engaged in an exploring capacity, and on his way to Australia." + +"Did he walk with a limp?" asked John. + +The old man, as well as the boys, looked at John in surprise. He quickly +answered: "Yes; did you know him?" + +"No," he replied; "but we found him less than a month ago." + +The old man leaned forward in his eagerness. "Where is he?" he asked. + +"He is dead," answered John, gravely. + +"Dead!" he exclaimed. "Dead! and do you know his name?" + +"No, but we found his remains, together with the boat to which he had +been tied, on the shore of an island south of this." + +"Then it is true, after all!" he muttered. + +"Did you know about it?" asked John, who was the interested one now. + +"No, this is sad news to me. His name was Clifford,--Ralph S. Clifford, +and when he and Walter undertook,--" + +The boys were all impatience now, as George cried out: "Walter! did you +know Walter?" + +"Yes; he was my companion for a time. He and I were making explorations +on the island on which we were wrecked, and when the two undertook to go +on a search, to ascertain what the island was like, I was too ill to go +with them. Walter returned, and told me of meeting with a band of +savages on the western side of the mountain, and of the capture of +Clifford by the natives." + +"Did you know a man by the name of Wright?" + +"No, I never heard of any one by that name in this section of the +globe." + +"Do you know what became of Walter?" + +"I was about to say, that we went north along the shore, and camped near +the beach, and there found a boat, rather crudely made, with which we +proposed sailing around the island. Before we could complete our +arrangements, Walter disappeared." + +"Did he take the boat with him?" + +"No; the boat and all his effects were still with me. I was still very +ill, and I concluded to remain there until my strength returned, but +four days afterwards, when I was able to move about, I found that the +boat had disappeared." + +The strain of the conversation appeared to affect him, and the three +visitors stated they would call on him later for further information. + +When the boys returned to their huts, with John, the latter was quiet +and very much reserved. The boys were so much interested in the story of +the old man, that they could not wait until they were seated before they +began to question him. + +"What do you think of his story?" asked Harry. + +John did not answer promptly, as was his habit. Instead, he reflected +for some time, and at last said slowly: "The story may be true. Clifford +was, in my opinion, tied to the boat and set adrift, and his death was +due to that, unquestionably." + +"Do you think this man had anything to do with it?" asked George. + +"So far, I have no direct reason for thinking so, but there are several +very curious things about the story." + +"What in particular do you have in mind?" + +"He said the boat was found on the seashore, and that Walter left +without taking it with him, but that when he recovered the boat was +gone." + +"Is it an unreasonable story?" + +"That is not at all improbable. The tide might have washed it away, but, +if it was our boat, and it was provided with the peculiar rope and the +strange oars, that were found in it when it was recovered by you, it +would be interesting to know whether he or Walter put them there." + +"Why is that so interesting to know?" + +"Because the rope found in that boat, is the same as the rope we took +from Clifford's body, which you discovered on Venture Island." + +"If we could only find Walter now it would solve that mystery," said +Harry. "I don't like to think that this man was instrumental in the +Clifford tragedy." + +"Nor do I," responded John. "It is evident there is some connection +between that boat and the skeleton, and that our boat played a part in +it." This ended the conversation on this point. + +It will be remembered that two of the men rescued from the prison +stockade, were natives of another tribe, who had been captured some +weeks before. Upon inquiry John found that they had disappeared the day +before. + +The two others, in a very emaciated condition, were still under John's +care, and rapidly improving. No attempts had been made to question +them, and as it was the intention of the boys to commence the trip to +the north, as soon as John had settled the matter with the Korinos, they +were anxious to get some information from them concerning their tribe. + +Accompanying Uraso, and through him, they first learned that the people +they were now living with were called Malosos, and that the Chief was +named Ta Babeda, which meant the _strong man_. He was not so large as +Beralsea, the Chief of Venture Island, but his muscles were more active, +thus the boys could see that he rightly acquired the sceptre of chief +ruler, as did Beralsea, because of the strength he possessed, and there +was no one on the island to question his king-ship. + +While rambling about the boys and Uraso were informed that John wished +to see them at the Chief's house, and they went over without delay. +Entering the house, they were surprised to see that the different +packages containing the presents had been opened, and were about to be +distributed. + +The Chief and his household were first provided for. The articles +consisted of coats, and different articles of wear for the Chief, +together with a watch, a revolver, and a camera. + +"This will give both of you boys an opportunity to give the Chief some +lessons in these instruments," said John. + +The articles for the women were received with screams of delight that +pleased the Chief beyond measure. Bits of lace, the like of which had +never been seen on the island, cotton fabric, beads, articles of +ornamentation, and finally full-fledged dresses, were only parts of the +gifts which went to the women and children. + +"With your permission," said John, to the Chief, "I will offer gifts to +your people, and you may state that during the afternoon the articles +will be arranged in packages so that all will receive presents of like +value." + +The boys, as well as Uraso and Muro, were busy making up the gifts for +distribution. During the remaining portion of the day they were busily +engaged in this work, which brought the greatest joy and happiness to +the natives. + +It may well be imagined that Uraso and Muro were not slow in imparting +the news of Wonder Island to the natives. John had a long conference +with the Chief on the same subject. + +"But how can we get these articles?" he asked, as John told him how they +made the wonderful things. + +"You can make them here," he answered. + +"But we cannot make them if we do not have the tools." + +"Then you can buy them," responded John. + +"But what have we that you want?" he asked, as he eagerly scanned John's +face. + +"Your land is full of things that the people in Wonder Island want, and +the whole world will buy them of you." + +"Will you tell me what they want and how we shall get them ready for +you?" + +"It will give us pleasure to send our people over who can tell you what +spices, and nuts, and coffee, and other things which you have in +abundance, can be prepared, and what they are worth, and it will be the +means of giving the people work, and peace and contentment." + +"But if we do not have any more fighting with our enemy there will be no +need of a strong Chief," he remarked, thinking of his new relation to +the scheme as outlined. + +"There will be a much greater need of a strong man like you, who can +mete out equal justice to the people," remarked John. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE REMARKABLE CAVE EXPLORATIONS + + +But the time was now at hand, when it became necessary for the exploring +expedition to the north. The rescued prisoners stated that their people, +while not so numerous, were very warlike, and by degrees, John learned +that they were the cannibals of whom they had heard. + +The tribe was known as the Umbolos, and the Chief was a frightful man, +unlike any other in the tribe, or, at any rate, from the description, he +was not formed like them. He was known as Rumisses, which in their +tongue meant _thunder_. + +It was remarkable that Uraso and Muro understood most of the words of +the language used by the natives here and also on Venture Island. On +Wonder Island, there were only two tongues, or dialects, and the people +on this island, as well as on Venture Island, spoke the dialect +belonging to the Illyas, Kurabus and the Tuolos, the tribes that were +the fiercest and the most difficult to subdue. + +It was hoped that the escape of the two Umbolos, and the return to their +people would be sufficient to give them the entree to that part of the +country, but after the questionings of John on this point, it was very +doubtful whether this would impress itself on their minds. + +The natives had been accustomed for so long a period to regard every +other people as an enemy, and consequently absolutely removed from any +possibility of friendship, that it was questionable whether the +messengers could persuade the Chief to receive them. + +Arrangements for the departure were decided upon, and they planned to +start early in the morning. John visited the Chief, and suggested that +he should consider it a favor if the Chief would permit him to take the +Korinos with him. + +The Chief opened his eyes in astonishment. "Why do you wish to be +burdened with men who will live by deceiving?" he inquired. + +"But they have lived to the best of their knowledge. They do not know +any better. They believe what they have been taught, and think it is a +duty to carry out and practice their rites. They do not wish to deceive +you." + +The Chief pondered for a long time, and then replied: "What will you do +with them?" + +"I want to teach them the white man's ways, and tell them to come back +and teach your children the things which we believe are right and for +the good of the people." + +The lessons which John imparted were sources of wonder and amazement to +the ruler, who, five days before, thought he was the only one appointed +to make and to execute laws. + +When he finally gave his consent, he said: "You must take it upon +yourself to get the Korinos, because they will not come out of their +caves." + +"But how can they find food there? If you prevent them from getting +food they will be compelled to come out or starve." + +"They will starve before they will permit themselves to be taken." + +"Then," answered John, "why do you not order your warriors to enter the +cave and take them by force?" + +"But who dares to go in?" + +"I dare to go in, but you must order me to do so," answered John. + +The Chief jumped up in an instant. "And will you go?" he asked in the +greatest delight. + +"By all means. You must go with me to the cave, and there command me to +enter and bring them forth." + +The Chief's eyes danced with delight, and he could hardly await the hour +for starting on the mission. + +The boys and the two companion chiefs, were in their glory upon hearing +of the decision to get the Korinos. Before leaving the Chief John +questioned him very closely on the location of the cave, and whether +there were not other caves on the island to the north. + +"I have heard that there is another one to the north, that was used in +olden times by the Korinos who lived when my father was Chief. I also +know that far to the north where the false and treacherous Umbolos live, +are great caves which no man may enter." + +"Do they have Korinos in the Umbolo tribe?" + +"No; they do not believe in a Great Spirit." + +"Then, if they have no Korinos, why do they not dare to enter the +caverns?" + +"Because they have been told that it is death to go into the dark." + +"Do you know why they think so?" + +"Because, a long time ago, the only man who ever returned from the dark +caves, brought out the bones of men who had died there." + +"But it did not kill that man who brought them out?" + +"Yes; he died. And now no one dares enter those places." + +It may be imagined how this intelligence stirred up the boys. It was +impossible to keep them from talking about it. To John it was like a +magic wand; it seemed to wave before his eyes and to talk to him. What +if they had really found the great cave on which John's heart was so +keenly bent? + +But the Korinos must be freed. That afternoon, just before starting, the +boys were surprised to see the band coming up the street. How they +laughed, as they scented John's little ruse. It would, indeed, be a +treat to bring the Korinos out of their dark resorts to some good old +marching tune. + +The band struck up a familiar air, and to its lively tones the +procession, with the three Chiefs and John at the head, marched across +the open, and up the hill past the grove, on its way to the cave on the +eastern slope of the high hill which rose from the shore of the ocean. + +There was jest and laughter, the Chief enjoying the treat that would be +the greatest pleasure of his life, namely, the bringing of the Korinos +out of the cave. + +After ascending the great hill, so that they overlooked the ocean, the +Chief informed John that the entrance was a third of the way down the +hill, and the narrow path was followed which led around to the north, +shutting out the sight of the sea. + +After a few hundred feet, the path led to a cleft portion of the rocks, +where the light of the sun was completely hidden. The walls of the +rocks, at the entrance of the cleft portion, were fully fifty feet high, +and were at least twenty feet apart, but as they went on the walls drew +nearer together and the path ascended a slight incline. + +A sharp turn was reached, and they found themselves in a little cove, to +the left of which was a dark entrance, toward which the Chief nodded, as +he shrank back. + +John motioned to the Chief, and the latter sternly commanded John to +bring forth the Korinos. John said a few words to Uraso and Muro, and +also invited the boys to accompany them. + +"I suppose you are all armed?" said John. + +The boys and the chiefs had come well prepared, so this point was taken +care of. + +"But where are the lights?" asked George. + +"I have them," said John, "but we shall not use them now, for reasons +which will be explained later." Together they entered the cave, the +darkness of which was appalling. After going in fully a hundred and +fifty feet, John stopped and said: "It would have been a sign of +weakness to go in with a light. When we have gone far enough to be free +from the mouth of the cave, we can use our flash lights. For the present +we shall move on to ascertain whether the Korinos are provided with +lights, which will show where they are, and we may thus be guided to +them." + +The distance traveled must have been fully a thousand feet, when John +again spoke: "I shall now throw the light directly ahead, and you must +keep your eyes open to detect anything moving." + +The light flashed, and was then moved slowly to the left, until it +reached a cove at the extreme eastern side, where there was an evident +assemblage of articles, not a hundred feet in advance of them, but there +was not a sign of living beings within the scope of the light beams. + +The company moved over to the spot indicated. A moment's examination +satisfied them that it was really the abode of the Korinos, but they had +disappeared. + +The debris, the half eaten portions of food, some still warm, were +sufficient to indicate that they had fled, but where? Uraso, Muro and +John, all three, flashed their lights, and, after examining the walls +critically, Muro was the first to find the opening from the chamber in +which they were standing. + +The outlet from the chamber was to the north, and toward it the +explorers ran hurriedly, and passed along the contracted path, which +soon turned to the left. After following its many windings, and +scrambling over the broken and rocky floor, they saw ahead a streak of +daylight, which gladdened the hearts of the boys. + +"Ah! they have gone," exclaimed John, as he emerged, and glanced across +the ravine, and along the walls which extended up from the shore of a +little stream below. "They have gone to the north, and have, probably, +tried to seek safety in the other cave." + +"How are we going to get back?" asked George. + +"Do you think there will be any trouble in that?" asked John. + +"We shall have to go clear over the mountain for that, I'm afraid." + +[Illustration: _Fig. 9. The Cave on Rescue Island._] + +"We are not far from the entrance," said John, "and if we intend to +catch up with the Korinos, we must not delay for a moment." + +The party made a hurried trip around the hill, and the Chief was +surprised to learn that there was another entrance, or an outlet to the +cave on the northern side. None of his warriors was aware of this, +however. + +John was now in a quandary. He was exceedingly anxious to secure the +Korinos, but at the same time there was some things in the appearance of +the cave that he wished to investigate. This was confided to Uraso and +Muro, and the latter suggested that he and Uraso would undertake to +follow the fleeing men, and return to the village, while John and the +boys made the desired investigation. + +This was readily assented to, and they at once made their way across the +hill, while John informed the Chief of the action which they had decided +to take. One of the principal men of the village, in whom the Chief had +confidence, and who knew the location of the upper caves, accompanied +Uraso and Muro. + +The Chief, and those with him returned to the village, while John +remained behind under the pretense that he wished to stay at the cave +entrance until they returned from the pursuit after the Korinos. + +The boys first secured the flash lights which the two chiefs had +brought, and when all had departed the boys and John entered the cave +and marched directly to the location of their interior home. + +Every part of the habitation was well investigated. Almost every kind of +tool and implement was found here in profusion, but singularly, none of +them appeared to be used. Several flint lock guns, all rusted, and with +decayed stocks, were among the articles discovered, but the Korinos had +not used them. + +The inevitable copper vessels, entirely unlike those of modern +manufacture, were the first things to claim the attention of the boys, +as they recalled similar articles found in the caves thitherto +investigated by them. + +"This begins to look as though we are to have the same experience we had +at the cave at the Cataract," said George. "These vessels, no doubt, +were brought here by the buccaneers, and I'll be surprised if we don't +find a few more of their belongings somewhere in this place." + +After all the recesses in this vicinity had been investigated they +scanned the side walls to the right, carefully going into the little +recesses which were found all along the jagged sides. + +A hundred feet south of the living part of the cave they came, +unexpectedly upon a large extension, not noticed before in their pursuit +of the Korinos. The chamber extended in a southerly direction, and +narrowed at the extreme opposite end. + +"This has the appearance of leading to another outlet, which would take +us to the southern side of the hill. It would be remarkable, indeed, if +such should be the case," said John, as he eagerly pressed forward, +until they had passed four chambers. + +The walls were coming closer and closer, until there was now barely room +for them to pass through, but they went in unhesitatingly, John in the +lead. The passage was not straight, so that the light did not aid much +in looking ahead, but suddenly the flash threw a beam ahead, which +showed that they were at the entrance of a chamber. + +John stopped and directed the search light to all parts of the cavern. +It appeared to be nearly round, with a perfectly smooth floor. It was +unoccupied, but in the exact center of the chamber was a raised object, +like a mound. + +Throughout the entire cave could be found the calcareous deposit so +common in caves formed in limestone rocks, and the stalactite hangings +on the ceilings and walls, and the stalagmites on the floors made the +scene a weird one. + +John glanced upwardly to view the ceiling, above the mound, and said: +"That does not seem to be a natural formation. Let us examine it first." + +With the small pick which John always carried, and by means of which he +was always careful to examine rocks and geological formations, while on +these tours, the top parts of the stalagmites were chipped off. This was +an exceedingly simple matter, since they are generally soft. + +After the top layer was removed, the part beneath readily yielded, but +before they had an opportunity to dig into it very deeply the pick +struck something which gave forth a metallic sound. John stopped as +though paralyzed. + +The pick was again driven in. Again the plain contact with some hard +substance. The digging was now feverish, and when the broken parts were +cleared away, a small metallic box, about twelve inches square across +the top, and about ten inches deep, was exposed to view. + +The dent made by the pick was clearly visible, and the fresh mark showed +that the metal was red. + +"It is copper!" said John. + +Every part of the material around the box was removed, and this enabled +them to remove it from its resting place. John grasped it and securing a +good hold, finally raised it. + +"No, it is not any heavier than I thought it would he," he remarked as +he lay it down. + +"Did you expect to find this?" asked George in amazement. + +"No; this is a surprise to me as it is to you." + +"Then why did you make that remark?" + +"Because I believe that this box contains treasure of untold value. I +should have been surprised if it weighed very much." + +"Could it not have contained treasure if it had been heavy?" asked +Harry. + +John laughed, a peculiar exultant chuckle, as he responded: "Not the +kind of treasure I have had in contemplation." + +The box was turned over and over. There was not the sign of any lid, or +crack which showed the cover or means of opening it. "We must take this +out and open it at our leisure," remarked John, "but before doing so it +would be well to examine the other outlets to this chamber, if it has +any." + +The chamber was found, on measurement, to be thirty feet in diameter, +and the vaulted ceiling fully thirty feet high, singularly uniform in +the domed formation, and not rough or jagged like the ceiling of the +other chamber which they had just left. + +The walls were absolutely solid on all sides, the only entrance being by +way of the narrow little passageway through which they had come. Harry +picked up the box, and swung it up to his shoulder, and, John leading +the way, they filed out and passed through the chamber, quickly making +their way to the opening through which they first entered the cave. + +Within an hour they were back in the village, and found Muro there +awaiting their arrival. "We have found their trail, and they have not +gone to the upper cave. They are heading straight for the tribe in the +northern end of the island." + +"I am surprised at that," said John. "We must consult the Chief about +this," and without another word, he hurriedly went over to the Chief, +who was as much astounded as John could be at the peculiar significance +of their actions. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE TRIBE TO THE NORTH + + +Instead of conveying the copper box to the village it was carried to the +landing place and taken to the vessel, where it could be examined later, +when they had more time. It was now of more importance to keep in touch +with Muro and Uraso, the former of whom had gone to the north as soon as +he had given the report mentioned in the last chapter. + +On the return to the village they discussed the affairs of the previous +day, which John had abstained from mentioning. + +"What is it that really makes the people act that way when they are +hypnotized!" asked George. "I have heard it said that there isn't any +truth in mesmerism." + +"Mesmerism is the old term used to designate certain phenomena, which, +originally, was supposed to be a force that emanated from the mesmerist. +It is now known that hypnotism may be regarded as artificial catalepsy." + +"But what is catalepsy?" + +"It is an affection produced by hysteria, during which the patient's +body becomes rigid. It is claimed by some that somnambulism is one phase +of the hypnotic condition." + +"But in what way do your motions act on the one who is being +hypnotized?" + +"The motions have nothing whatever to do with producing the condition. +That is for effect, merely. Those who are able to bring about a mesmeric +condition, try to concentrate the mind on some particular thing, and by +making gentle motions, or passes, this is more forcibly impressed on +them." + +"What was the object of Uraso telling them that the White Man's death +was a terrible one, and trying to frighten them?" + +"Merely to make them concentrate their minds on one thing alone. Terror, +or great fear, is one of the things which tends to a cataleptic +condition. Great excitement, and sometimes excessive joy, have been +known to do the same thing." + +"Then the object is merely to bring the mind under the control of the +operator?" + +"Yes; what was originally considered as a power flowing from the +hypnotist, is nothing more than his mental action or control which +prevents the subject from exercising his own volition." + +A few hours after they returned to the village Uraso and Muro returned, +with the information that the Korinos were now within the territory of +the tribe to the north, and they wisely concluded it would not be good +policy to pursue them further, and their prudence was commended by John. + +The natives were supremely happy in displaying their gifts, and the +Chief, while much annoyed at the escape of the Korinos, was content to +be relieved of their presence, when, after numerous conversations with +John, he realized that they were of no use to him and his people. + +John announced that he intended to visit the tribe to the north, and +purposed starting the following day. The Chief advised him to take with +him all the warriors in the village, because he felt sure they would +have a hostile reception. + +"It seems to me," replied John, "that would be the wrong thing to do. I +do not wish him to think that my mission is a warlike one, and a large +force will be in the nature of an invasion of his territory." + +"Perhaps you are right; but we have found him a difficult Chief to deal +with. He is not like a man. He cannot stand up straight, as we do, and +he kills and eats all who fall into his hands." + +This information was regarded by John as one of the imagination, purely, +so it did not weigh heavily on his mind. What seemed to impress him most +was the fate of the poor fellows who had voluntarily sought the +protection of the cannibal Chief. + +"I would like to have your opinion as to the course which the Chief will +take when the Korinos fall into his hands?" asked John. + +The Chief mused for a while, and then said: "They have no Korinos and do +not believe in them, but they may tell the Chief that we tried to offer +them as sacrifices, and he may use them with his people to stir up +feelings of revenge against us." + +"But," replied John, "the captives you took, and who have escaped may +tell him of our treatment of them and this may work in our favor." + +"I do not think so," he replied. "We have had many instances where they +have refused to make friends with us, and for that reason we always had +war." + +"But have you not often sacrificed their people when you have taken them +in your wars?" + +"We have always done so." + +"Have any of your captives ever returned to them?" + +"No." + +"And have they always killed and eaten your people when they captured +them?" + +"Yes; and none has ever returned to us. The Korinos would not let us +keep the captives, but said that the Great Spirit told them they must be +sacrificed." + +The foregoing information was sufficient to convince John of one thing, +namely, that it was really the spirit of the Korinos which kept up the +tribal warfare, at least so far as one end of the conflict was +concerned. + +In spite of all the arguments advanced by the Chief, John was determined +to make the trip with his own people, and thus avoid any feeling on the +part of the tribe, against their present friend. + +In the morning John called Stut, and advised him to wait until the +following day, when he should pull up anchor and proceed to the north +for a distance not exceeding twenty miles, and then, seeking a safe +anchorage, to await news from him. + +With forty of his own trusted men, together with Uraso and Muro, they +set out on the march to the north, cheered by the people of the village, +who came out to witness their departure. The old man who had been +rescued, was still too weak to accompany them, so he was taken to the +vessel, where he could receive the best of care and attention. + +In order not to be out of touch with the sea, John decided to follow the +hills along the eastern side of the island, and this course was selected +because the people to which they were going, unlike those at the +southern portion of the island, lived in the mountainous region, as +heretofore stated, and the probability of meeting them would be much +better than if they had followed the level plateau. + +[Illustration: _Fig. 10. Cinnamon._] + +In the march the boys, as well as John, were ever on the alert to +discover the possibilities of the island, so far as the natural products +were concerned. + +"Something smells awfully sweet around here," said George, as they were +tramping along a beautifully-wooded crest. + +"I think it must come from the trees that have the beautiful pale blue +flowers. Wait until I get a branch." + +One of the men was quick to carry out Harry's wish. John was immensely +pleased at the interest which the boys exhibited. "What does it smell +like?" he inquired. + +"Something like cloves and cinnamon, both," answered George. + +"Peel off the bark and taste it." + +"It is just like cinnamon." + +"That is correct. It is the real cinnamon tree. It is the cassia of the +Bible, one of the spices so frequently referred to in Scripture. The +bark only is used, but the species which have fruit, are gathered and +oil expressed from them, which is called _cinnamon suet_." + +Advancing, the surface became more rugged. They had to cross numerous +gullies, and broken portions, and frequently jagged rocks would show +themselves. Evidently when the island was raised up from the sea the +rocks were forced through, and the climate in time disintegrated them, +and formed a soil. + +"Do you think we shall find any minerals here?" asked Harry. + +"If we are to judge from our experiences on Wonder Island, where there +is almost exactly the same formation, we may reasonably expect to find +copper and also iron here." + +"While Harry and I were over at the bluff with Uraso, we saw something +like green drippings, from the walls." + +"That is, undoubtedly, copper,--that is the sulphate form, in which it +is usually found." + +"I was amused at Laleo (the native guide), who told Uraso this morning +that our mission would be successful, and when he was asked why, +answered, that the first thing they saw was three black birds. How +superstitious these people are." + +"Do you think they are any more so than civilized people?" answered +John. "It is curious how the number three runs through all their ideas. +In certain parts of England they have a great many omens, and one of +them is that if the traveler, starting on a journey, meets three +magpies, it means success; if two appears, it is a sign of marriage; and +four unexpected good news." + +"I recall that it is considered lucky for sun to shine on a bride," +added Harry. + +"The other part of that couplet is 'rain on a corpse,'" remarked John. + +"I never knew it was lucky for the corpse to be rained on," responded +Harry, in a questioning tone. + +John laughed immoderately, as he answered: "Well, it might not be lucky +for the corpse. But there are numerous lucky and unlucky signs that no +one can account for, prevalent in our own country, such as putting on +stockings wrong side out, and finding a horseshoe." + +"Of course, they are both fortunate signs," said George, smiling at the +thought. + +"In Scotland, among those who are the most matter of fact people in the +world, signs are very common. It is a bad omen with them to stumble over +a threshold, or to step over green or red, or to sneeze while making up +a bed." + +"After all, we are not so much ahead of the savages, are we?" mused +George. + +During the march that day there was nothing specially worthy of note. +The animals they met were few and small, and it did not appear that +there were any which merited mentioning, so the boys gave up the idea of +meeting any adventure in that line. + +Shortly after four in the afternoon they began to seek out some good +camping place. Laleo informed Uraso that they had now passed into the +territory claimed by the northern tribe, and the desirability of caution +was necessary. + +A rocky shelter, only a short distance above a running brook below, was +found suitable, and there the halt was made for the night. Early in the +morning they were awakened by Muro, with the welcome intelligence that +the _Pioneer_ was sighted several miles to the north, where she lay at +anchor. + +At the suggestion of John the boys went to the headland, a mile to the +east, and there hoisted a signal flag, which was observed by the vessel, +and the return signal given, this being indicated by four circular +sweeps of the flag. + +Waving the flag twice to the right, and twice to the left indicated that +they were to remain there until further advised. + +After a good breakfast the march was resumed, leading further to the +west to avoid the rugged hills near the sea. Either Uraso or Muro was +constantly in the lead, always accompanied by one of the men who, in +case of necessity, might be sent back to furnish John the reports of his +observations. + +Before noon the messenger came in with the welcome information that the +first of the natives had been noticed, not far to the north. Muro, who +was in the lead, awaited the arrival of John and the boys. + +Together they went forward, the men remaining in the camp. A few men +could thus move through the brush with less likelihood of observation, +than a large number, which was the principal reason for this mode of +procedure. + +After another mile of cautious movement, a runner was sent back with the +order to bring all of them forward. Away in the distance the village was +sighted, George's field glasses now being brought into play. The huts +could be seen plainly along the mountain side, and scattered about in +profusion amid a plentiful supply of trees. + +In some respects, viewed from a distance, the scene did not look at all +primitive, and were it not for the crude character of the houses it +might have been taken for a typical modern town or village. + +Only one hut had been passed, thus far. It was not at all crudely built, +and while it had been left to decay, it showed that the owner had some +ideas of comfort, and an eye to convenience, as it was located by the +side of a spring. On one side of the cottage was a weed-grown garden, +and some fine specimens of taro as well as wild potatoes were in +evidence. + +Earthenware cooking utensils were discovered, which added to the +interest of the place, but no other furniture was found to show how the +people lived. It might have been deserted for a year or more. + +Ascending the second small hill, they were startled to find themselves +face to face with a half dozen of the natives, who were frightfully +alarmed at the appearance of the visitors, for they set up a shout and +ran like deer toward the village. + +John kept on at the head of his force, and while the commotion in the +village, not a half mile distant, was plainly visible, he did not halt, +until he saw a curious crowd surrounding a short individual, who stood +apart from those around him. + +"That is the Chief," said Laleo. "It is said he is a terrible man, and +unlike all others," thus repeating what the Chief had told John. + +As he made no attempt to come forward or indicate what his wishes were, +John directed the men to follow him, fifty feet in his rear, and he went +on until within two hundred feet of the motley crowd, the people in the +meantime making no sign of resistance, nor did they object to the +advance. + +When John stopped, the curious figure, who was designated as the Chief, +moved forward toward John without a bit of hesitation, and the boys were +simply dumbfounded at his singular appearance, and at the gait he +assumed. + +A word picture of him would not be amiss. He was a hunchback, with an +extraordinary lump on his back, the arms much too long for his body, and +crooked, distorted legs. The head, however, was massive, and covered +with a heavy beard, which seemed to grow close up to the eyes, giving +him a fierce appearance, because his head was covered with a thick +coating of long gray, or sandy hair, that swung around the darker beard, +as he shambled along. + +As he neared John his bright and staring eyes were the first thing +noticed. When he came across the intervening space, his face was stern, +and unforbidding, but as he neared John it relaxed, and he began to +smile. + +John stepped forward, and extended his hand. "I am glad to meet you," +said John. + +The man looked at John for a moment, and then tried to mumble something, +that the boys could not understand. After a few attempts he fairly +shrieked out: "How are you?" + +This was certainly a startling thing, because the voice and the +intonation were perfect. John opened his jacket and brought out a +miniature American flag, which was unrolled, and the moment the strange +being caught sight of it he seized it and pressing it to his lips, +kissed it fervently. + +"I am an American," he finally struggled to utter. "I am a white man, +and you are the first white man I have seen for fifty years. You are +welcome to our home and village." + +The boys could not credit their senses. How did this poor specimen of +the white race become the powerful Chief of a tribe of savage cannibals? + +John looked at him for a moment in astonishment, as he asked: "How long +have you been Chief of the people here?" + +"About forty-five years. They are good people too." + +"We heard you were cannibals," remarked John. + +For a moment he scowled, and then his face brightened up. "Yes; I know +my neighbors to the south have always believed that to be so, but they +have heard such tales from their witch doctors, such as we used to have, +but it is not true." + +"You mean the Korinos?" + +"Yes, those who left you two days ago, and have come to me for +protection," and he smiled as he said this. + +"I tried to get them, but they eluded us," added John, by way of +information. + +"You must pardon me, but it is still a little difficult for me to form +sentences. It is so long since I have talked to any one in my native +tongue. But I am impolite. Bring your people into the village, and let +us entertain you. I do so want to hear about the great world and what it +is now like." + +The Chief turned to his people and told them that the White Chief was +from his own tribe, and that he came from a far-away country, on a visit +to him, and that they must treat the people as his own. + +Nothing more was needed to make them welcome. George suggested to John +that Stut on the _Pioneer_ should be notified, but before they had time +to carry out the order a number of the villagers came rushing through +the village and sought out the Chief. + +The latter turned to John and said: "My people tell me that there is a +large ship here." + +"It is the vessel we came in," answered John, "and we were about to send +a messenger to tell them to anchor near the village." + +"I am so happy to know this," said the Chief. "I want to see the ship, +because it is the first time that any one has stopped at our shores. +Some years ago we found some strange things that floated ashore from a +wrecked vessel, and I want to show them to you, because I cannot +understand what some of the things could be used for." + +They were led through the principal street of the town. It was clean and +well kept; the huts were far better than those in the village they had +left, and the natives were, apparently, happy and contented. + +As they marched along George was the first to notice a tall individual, +who, with several others, were edging away from the visitors. + +"There they are!" he cried out. John turned to inquire, when Harry +commenced laughing, as he added: "Here are the Korinos, John!" + +The latter looked in the direction indicated, and laughed when he saw +their discomfiture. The Chief was hurriedly informed of the situation, +and he laughed heartily, as he ordered one of his men to bring in the +fugitives. + +They were ushered in, and Uraso told them that they were friends and not +enemies, and that the White Chief tried to secure them so that their own +Chief would not harm them. It was a great relief, unquestionably, and +their actions showed it. John then told them, that he wanted to have a +talk with them, and that he would assure them of their safety. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE HUNCHBACK CHIEF + + +The White Chief's house was built on a plan which was a vast improvement +over anything found on the two islands. True, it was nothing but an +assemblage of rooms, which surrounded an open court. The furnishings +were crude, but it was evident that all the articles were such as had +been taken from the wreckages on the shore. + +Goods not native made, were noticed, and even a photograph, on a tin +plate, like the old style daguerreotypes, was observed by Harry. Three +chairs, one with a broken rocker, formed part of the furnishings in the +court. In one corner was a mass of articles, the case of a ship's +chronometer, the horn of a phonograph, some tin tubes of different +lengths, and other odds and ends, which could not be recognized. + +"I am anxious to hear your story," said John. "If you have no objection +we should be glad to have you relate it." + +"It will give me pleasure to tell of my experiences, although it may not +interest you; but before doing so you must partake of food, because I +know what it means to travel through our country. Besides I have ordered +it prepared, and it is now ready." + +[Illustration: "_'It is copper,' said John_" [See p. 122]] + +"These two men I have with me," said John, pointing to Uraso and Muro, +"are Chiefs of two powerful tribes, who live on a neighboring island, +and they are real friends I found there when these two boys and I were +shipwrecked there several years ago." + +"I am, indeed, glad to welcome them. I see that they have adopted the +white man's clothing." + +"Yes; and their people who are wonderfully interesting are engaged in +farming, and manufacturing." + +Then John told him briefly the history of their experiences, and how the +people on Wonder Island were working out their salvation. + +John's tale impressed him most forcefully. "You have made good use of +your talents. Unfortunately, for me, and for the natives here, I was not +able wholly to bring out the people from their low condition, as you +will be able to understand more fully when the story is told." He said +this sorrowfully, and with apparent regret. + +After the meal, he continued his narrative: "I was a poor boy, a native +of the State of Massachusetts, and was bound to a whaler as a helper, +when less than fifteen years of age. It was a hard life, as you may +know. I had no education, and I learned the life of misery and sorrow +when I should have been at school. + +"But during that and the second year I became hardened, and my +unfortunate physical condition made me the butt of my companions, and +one day, in a fit of resentment, I struck down one of my tormentors, +while in the harbor of Bedford, after which I escaped and made my way to +Boston. + +"There, the next day, I found employment on an outgoing ship, that was +in the China service, and two days later, I was gratified to learn that +it would sail that night. I had a much easier berth, and now I found +that among those men I was considered better than a mere brute, and I +became acquainted with a young man who taught me to read. + +"This was such a delight to me that I could hardly wait until my daily +duties were over, before the books were brought out, and by the time we +put into Shanghai, I could read and write, as well as perform many +examples in arithmetic. + +"I knew nothing of geography, or of any other of the necessary parts of +education. Our outward trip was unexciting, but on the first return +trip, we met one of the dangerous monsoons, and the ship was wrecked. +One of my shipmates was the sole occupant of a spar, and he aided me in +my attempt to grasp it, and together we floated about the great sea for +several days, without a thing to eat or to drink, until I lost +consciousness, and knew no more until I opened my eyes, and saw the +vilest looking savages standing about me. + +"When I saw them they appeared like a horrid dream. I had read in one of +the books about the terrible visions that men dream of, and when they +tried to make me eat something, I began to feel that it was a reality. + +"But the men were naked, and I saw the bones of human beings about me, +and everything had the appearance of a feast. I soon saw that they were +cannibals, and as I had heard of their practices their faces grew more +and more repulsive to me. + +"I recovered slowly, and now began the terror in my mind. Each day I +expected would be my last. But day after day passed by, and I soon began +to become reconciled to my fate. An incident soon changed the entire +aspect of affairs for me. I had been treated with the utmost deference. +I was furnished with an abundance of food, but I had previously learned +that it was the custom of those people to fatten their victims, and this +was not welcome knowledge. + +"I became desperate. One day, while they were bringing me the finest +roasts, I rebelled, and taking a club, scattered the food, swinging the +club at them and shouting defiance, because human nature began to rebel, +and I could not stand the suspense any longer. + +"To my surprise they scattered, and fell on their faces. Among them was +the head man, whom I had always regarded as the Chief. Finally he came +up timidly, and fell on his knees before me. I was so astounded that I +did not know what to do. I went to the Chief and raised him up, because +I was in a quandary, and could not understand them. + +"This seemed to reassure him, and he told me to follow him. I had been +here long enough to understand most of their jargon. I was surprised +when he led me to his own hut, and brought out his daughter, who knelt +before me. Then I began to understand. I was no longer the expected +victim, but the prospective son-in-law. This was better than +anticipating death daily. + +"I accepted the situation. The daughter became my wife. It was she who +welcomed you when we came in. When her father died I became Chief, but +long before his death, I controlled the people, as I knew so much more, +and had superior wisdom, judged by their standard, that they obeyed me +in everything. + +"But much as I abhorred, and tried to prevent it, as I did on many +occasions, they practiced their rites, and had their Korinos, the real +offenders, who taught them the necessity of sacrifices. + +"But when I became Chief, I sternly refused to permit them to kill their +captives, and cannibalism was practiced only by stealth. I succeeded in +stamping out the practice only by putting the Korinos to death, and in +shutting up their caves." + +The boys, as well as John were riveted to their seats during this entire +recital, until he referred to the caves, when they relaxed, and +indicated their pleasure and anxiety. That meant still further quests in +that direction. + +The Chief noticed their movement, and continued: "I am tiring you, but +permit me to add only a few things. I have endeavored to better the +condition of these people, and have succeeded. To the south of us was a +powerful tribe. My first care was to make ourselves secure against them. + +"Like my people they, too, were cannibals. They were ruled over by a +Chief who was cruel, and whenever any of their people escaped I took +them in and cared for them, and there are now many of those living with +us who could not be induced to go back. For more than forty years no one +has been killed and eaten by my people." + +"Your work here is certainly most commendable. There is nothing which +needs apology. Under the circumstances you have done all that was +possible, and to the best of your ability. No one can do more," was +John's timely observation. + +"I thank you for the compliment. I owe everything to the few books which +my comrade taught me to read. When I left the United States my heart was +bitter toward all mankind. I could not see why I should have been +treated in such a harsh manner among civilized people, but when I landed +here and saw how much worse the conditions were, I began to reflect. It +would have been an easy and a natural thing for me to be brutal to +others, as they had been to me." + +"You have shown a noble spirit, and I shall try to help you in caring +for your people. Our ship is here, and we have some things for you, as +soon as they can be unloaded," rejoined John. + +During the afternoon communication was established with the _Pioneer_, +and the natives were willing helpers in bringing up the packages, but it +was too late to distribute them. Before leaving John said: "You have not +told us your name." + +"I was christened Ephraim Wilmar." + +John seized him by the hands, as he said: "And was your father's name +William?" + +"Yes," said Ephraim, as his great eyes grew still bigger. "Did you know +him?" + +"I knew him well; he died about thirty years ago. He was my father's +friend." + +This information established a bond of friendship between the two. + +"I have forgotten to take note of time, and I may be out a year or two +in my reckoning," continued Ephraim, "but according to the best +information I have this must be the year 1911." + +"You are short one year; it is now 1912." + +"Then let me see! We sailed from China in January, 1860; and during that +same month the ship went down. From that time to the present I have no +idea of what has taken place." + +"Then you know nothing of the four years' war between the North and the +South?" + +"No; I remember there was some trouble about the slaves, or something of +that sort before we left China." + +"But there are no more slaves in the United States." + +"You surprise me! Then they were freed by the war?" + +"Yes; and Cuba is also free, and is now a republic, and the Hawaiian +Islands belong to the United States, as also do the Philippines." + +"That does not seem possible. Why, if I remember correctly Cuba and the +Philippines belonged to Spain. When did the United States purchase +them?" + +"We had a war with Spain, and we took the Spanish possessions, as well +as Porto Rico. Manila was captured three days after war was declared." + +"Three days after war was declared! How could our fleet, which must have +been half the way around the world, get the news that war had been +declared in that time?" + +"The commander of our fleet at Hongkong, was notified by telegraph." + +"How could that be done without a telegraph line? Over what part of the +earth are the lines now running?" + +"Everywhere; but there are many running under the sea and are called +_cable lines_." + +Ephraim looked at John for a moment, as though he doubted the meaning of +the words just uttered, and then slowly inquired: "That must be a +remarkable thing. I do not see how it would be possible to string wires +under the sea." + +"They are encased in water tight coverings, and some of the lines are +four thousand miles long. But nowadays we do not need wires for +telegraphing." + +The deformed figure arose, and appeared to be agitated, as he said: "Do +you mean to say that messages can be sent without wires?" + +"Stations for that purpose are now in operation all over the world." + +"That is as improbable to me as though you should tell me that it would +be possible to talk over a wire," he answered. + +"But we do talk over wires, and it is possible to talk over distances +hundreds of miles apart, without wires even." + +He glanced at those about him, and shook his head. He appeared to +hesitate about asking any more questions, and after shambling back and +forth a dozen times, or more, he stopped at the pile of debris, and +picked up a thick disk-like piece of metal, to one side of which was a +short broken tube attached. + +"I have examined this many, many times. Perhaps you can tell me what it +is?" and he handed it to John. + +"This is the disk of a phonograph." + +"What is that?" + +"An instrument which will reproduce the human voice, or any noise, or +the sound of music." + +"I do not understand what you mean. If I talk to it will it talk back to +me?" + +"No; it is so arranged that one form of the instrument receives the +sound of your voice, and impresses it on material in the form of a +cylinder, or a disk, and if this cylinder or disk is put into another +instrument, this little apparatus, which I hold in my hand will speak +the same words you uttered." + +[Illustration: _Fig. 11. Phonograph Disk._] + +"Then electricity must be a wonderful thing, to be able to be used by +men to talk to each other all over the world, and even to preserve what +they say." + +"But the phonograph is not an electrical apparatus. The disk, here, with +the little stylus, or pointer on it, vibrates and gives forth the +sound." + +"All this is most marvelous, and I would like to see some of those +wonderful things," he exclaimed. + +"If you will come to the ship we will show you many of the things that +electricity does, as we have a phonograph there, and we have a search +light that operates by electricity, and which enables us to see many +miles," added Harry. + +"Yes; I must see your ship, and I am ready to accompany you any time, +and I want my people to see those things, as well." + +"But there are many other things that we now do with electricity. All +street railways are now operated by it; many boats are run by that +power; cooking is done by it, and its uses extend into almost everything +that man touches," remarked John. + +"If this one branch of knowledge has improved so wonderfully within a +space of fifty years, the progress in other directions must be very +wonderful, indeed," he responded. "But you have told me so much, and I +hardly know how I can grasp its meaning. I suppose things here in this +part of the world must appear very crude to you?" + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE CHIEF'S FAMILY + + +Ephraim's wife was not crude and uncouth, like most of the native women. +It was evident from the care which she observed in the domestic +arrangements, that Ephraim had a hand in shaping her course. + +The food was served with considerable care, and, in some degree with the +formality observed in civilized homes. John was a careful observer of +customs, and he was surprised to note that all the natives patterned +after the habits established by their Chief. + +"I tried," said Ephraim, in answer to John's questions, "to better their +condition, and to teach them how to prepare and eat their food, and we +made vessels of pottery, which you will notice are found everywhere. +They understood the art of weaving, in a very primitive way, which I +also tried to improve. Only on three occasions did we take any toll from +the sea, when the wreckage came ashore. + +"Of the articles which were thus recovered, I took only a fair share, +and the others were impartially distributed to the people." + +"Did you ever have any trouble with the natives, or did they ever +dispute your authority?" asked John. + +"Only once, many years ago. A man claiming to be the son of the Chief, +gathered together a number of adherents, but my people rose against +them, and killed the leaders, which I very much regretted. When I +remonstrated with them for the severity of their course, they justified +it by saying that I had been kind to them, and had made them better, and +it was the very thing that taught me to feel that human beings, although +savages, understand kind treatment. It made me a convert in my feelings +against some of the white men who had treated me with such severity." + +During the day, after the packages had been removed from the ship the +articles were taken from the packages and arranged in Ephraim's home. +Articles of clothing were distributed to the Chief's family, and what +pleased him more than anything else, were the cooking utensils, all of +the newest ware, and in great variety, some of which were curiosities to +him. + +He had four children, the eldest a young man about thirty years of age, +who had a family of three children; the next, a strong, active native, +about twenty-five; a medium-sized young woman, almost white, of about +twenty, and the youngest a lad of seventeen, who was quickly attracted +to the boys. + +These, together with their mother, undertook the task of distributing +the gifts to the people. Articles of adornment were, of course, the most +enticing to the natives, and John had anticipated this feeling in the +selection of the gifts. + +After the feast of the good things, John broached the subject next to +his heart, and that was to explore the island, and particularly the +caves. In referring to the matter he said: + +"I recognize that whatever treasure we may find in them belongs to you, +and you are entitled to them." + +"But they are of no use to us," he responded. "I am not wise in the ways +of the world, but I am sure that great wealth, in the way of gold and +silver, would not make my people happy. I agree with you that +employment, and trying to teach people to help and care for each other, +is much more likely to make them happy, and besides, the treasures which +you refer to could not be used by them to any advantage." + +"You have spoken wisely," answered John, "nevertheless, we have no need +of the riches which we may find. My search is for a different sort of +wealth." + +"I do not understand what could be of more advantage, or repay you +better than gold and silver." + +"It is believed that many of these places contain the records of people +who have lived here thousands of years ago. All over the world hidden +treasures of that kind have been found, some of them which go to show +that men lived on the earth hundreds of thousands of years." + +"You are much wiser than I am, and understand the reason for making such +a search, but I do not see why that would be of any use to know those +things." + +"A great man once said, 'Know thyself,' and another remarked, that the +'proper study of mankind is man.' To ascertain the origin of humanity, +how man lived and acted, what were his motives and desires, his beliefs +and his aspirations, and to know how he has improved, are interesting +questions to me." + +He mused at this statement for a long time, and then quietly said: "That +may be so; it may make us greater and better men, and it may be +gratifying to have that knowledge, but I have now arrived at that time +of life where things appear differently from the way I used to look at +them. Every year I begin to think less of myself, and more of those +about me. + +"When my children grew up about me they were the only ones I cared for. +They were the only things in the world that interested me. When my +grandchildren came they were new inspirations to me, and my views toward +others changed, and made me feel better inclined." + +"That shows, does it not, that as we grow older, and as the world +increases in age, everything improves, our minds, the advancements in +the arts, in the sciences, in inventions, and generally in the +improvement of the human race? It is a part of the whole education which +man in his improved condition is trying to instill, and it is human +knowledge, and the desire to learn everything, that gives a stimulus to +us." + +There was no more welcome intelligence than the news that on the +following day they would visit the first cave in the northern hills, and +that Ephraim would accompany them. The people in the village were +delighted at the news that the ancient caves of the Korinos would be +opened. + +The trip took on the nature of a pleasure expedition. Even the family of +the Chief were insistent on going along, and the boys quickly became the +friends of Camma, the youngest son of Ephraim, and insisted that he +should go back with them to Wonder Island on a visit when they returned. + +Ephraim assented to this most heartily. They showed Camma the workings +of the revolver, and presented him with one of them. Then, when they +went to the ship, he was presented with a camera, and an outfit for +developing. + +When the boys brought back a small hand sewing machine, and gave it to +Mene, young Camma's sister, the joy in that family was beyond all +bounds. Ephraim stood before the little machine, as though paralyzed. It +acted like a human being, only more perfectly, as its work showed. + +But now for the caves. Sufficient food was taken along to make the trip +a comfortable one. The village in which Ephraim lived was nearly a half +day's journey from the original site of the town that was occupied by +the old Chief. He had founded the new site, near the sea, because of the +exposed condition of the old village, and also on account of the +unsanitary condition of the surroundings. + +The caves were near the old town, and it required nearly five hours to +make the trip, but it was enjoyable, every step of the way. The three +boys engaged in hunting, on the way, because the new toy in Camma's +hands had to be put to use. Ephraim put no restraint on the jolly pranks +of the boys. John was careful to tell him that Harry and George were not +wild or reckless, and that Camma would find them healthy comrades. + +Shortly after noon, they were told that the first of the caves would be +found in the hill toward the right, and that the work of opening the +principal one would not be undertaken until after luncheon. + +You may be sure that the boys made a hurried meal, and without waiting +for the workers to come up, they grasped their weapons, and were soon +half way up the hill, their guide, an old man, who knew the location of +the caves, being with them, to show the way. + +The old man pointed to the rocky wall, and indicated where the opening +was. Ephraim had closed it effectually, for they saw the evidence of the +wall before them, where its comparatively smooth surface showed the +difference between the natural wall and the rough rocks elsewhere. + +"Where is the other cave?" asked George. + +"It is on the other side," he answered. + +"And is that also closed?" + +"Yes; just as you see this." + +When the workers came up John directed them how to commence at the top, +and take out a rock at a time. He smiled as he saw how well the work had +been done, and Ephraim was gratified at the praise bestowed. + +"You certainly made a first class job of ashlar work," remarked John. + +"What is that?" asked Ephraim, in surprise. + +"It is just this kind of masonry where the courses are irregular, and +built up from the rock just as it came from the quarry." + +"I was not aware that there were different kinds of masonry. I thought +that masonry was merely the placing together of stones so they would +bind each other, and that is the way I had them do it." + +"Masonry is one of the oldest of the arts. It is really the foundation +stone of architecture. The work you have done here happens to be of rock +that has a rather smooth outline, that is, the stone broke off smooth, +in the upper layers, but the large pieces near the bottom represent what +is called rubble work." + +[Illustration: _Fig. 12. Types of Masonry._] + +"This is very interesting to know," remarked Ephraim. + +[Illustration: "_The old man pointed to the rocky wall_" [See p. 152]] + +"I might add," continued John, "that when the courses are not regular it +is called _broken_ ashlar; when stones of less than one foot in breadth +are used it is called _small_ ashlar; if the wall is backed by +rubble, or inferior work it is called _bastard_ ashlar. Then every kind +of surface has a particular name, like the _random-tooled_, where the +tool marks are shown in all directions; _rusticated_ when only the +joined edges are trimmed up; _prison-rustic_ when it is pitted with deep +holes; _herring-bone_ when it is tooled in rows of opposite directions +to each other; and _nigged_ when finished up with a pointed hammer." + +Within an hour the stones were removed and put aside, and then Ephraim +was treated to another surprise when he was made acquainted with the +little electric flash lights which John exhibited. With these they +entered the cave. + +All savage tribes have some sort of animals, as pets, and dogs are the +most frequent. This was the case among these people. The dogs were with +the party, and, as usual, ahead of the procession. Two of them went +ahead on a scouting expedition, while John and the boys, with their +flash lights followed. + +After they had gone, probably two hundred feet, there was a slight +descent apparent in the floor of the cave, and ahead were the two dogs +stretched out, lifeless. + +George ran ahead, as he noticed them, and John shouted out: "Do not +touch them!" + +He stopped, and looked back, and then slowly walked up to the animals. +John requested the party to halt, and he went forward, and put his foot +on one of the dogs. "We must go back," he said. + +"Are they dead?" asked Harry, as he came forward. + +"Why not take them out and see what the trouble is?" inquired Harry. + +"No need for that," responded John. "I know what the trouble is." + +"Is there any danger in the cave?" + +"Yes." + +Ephraim and the natives were now alarmed. It will be remembered that the +universal belief among the natives is, that to go into these caves +unbidden, means death. True, John had shown the fallacy of this on +several occasions, but here was positive evidence that death had visited +the dogs, and this might be the fate of those who attempted to go on. + +But the most alarming thing was the fact that John himself was the one +who said there was danger, and that they must return. He did not venture +to make an explanation until they were out of the cave. + +"There is carbonic acid in the cave, and as it is a deadly poison we +cannot go in until it is removed." + +"That seems singular," responded George. "I went in as far as the dogs, +and it didn't affect me." + +"But you did not reach down to touch the dog." + +"I saw you touch the dog, and it didn't seem to affect you." + +"I touched it with my feet and not with my hands." + +"I cannot see what difference that makes." + +"If you had touched the dog with your hands it would have brought your +face down near the floor of the cave, and the gas is at the bottom of +the cave only." + +"Why should it be there and not all over?" + +"Because it is much heavier than the air we breathe, and remains at the +bottom, just like water. If you recall, this part is lower than the +corridor through which we came, so that it could not run out. I have +always observed that in all the other caves the floors within were +higher than the entrance, and in such cases there is no liability of +getting poisonous gases." + +"But how are we to make the investigation, under the circumstances?" + +"We must remove the gas." + +"How can that be done?" + +"Several ways are open; one would be to tap the floor and drain the gas +out, which would be difficult to do with our resources. Another plan +would be to force in a lot of air, so as to render the gas inert, or we +might put in enough air to make it burn, and consume it." + +"Why, will it burn?" + +"Most assuredly; all it needs is enough air; but I am afraid this plan +will not be a very safe one for us. If the floor of the cave is not at +any place more than four feet below the entrance, we can go about +safely, but in such case we must move about with the utmost caution, so +as not to get too much of the gas in the system." + +"I am afraid it will be a difficult thing to go in unless we know +absolutely where the low places are, or unless we survey the bottom of +the cave," said George, brightening up at the idea. + +"What would happen if we threw a light into the bottom where the gas +is?" + +"It would be extinguished instantly," remarked John. + +"That gives me an idea," asserted George. "Why not take a lamp, and +carry it ahead of us, about three feet from the ground, and whenever +that goes out, it will show there is gas there?" + +"That is a good observation; but I am afraid it would be very dangerous +to do that." + +"Dangerous? I thought you said that the carbonic gas would put out the +light?" + +"So it will; but if three parts of air should be added to one part of +the gas it will make an explosive mixture,--that is, a mixture which +will burn, as there has been enough oxygen added to support combustion." + +"In what way could enough air mix with the gas to make it burn?" + +"By stirring it; the movement of the body might make an admixture just +above the surface of the gas, which would burn, and that might mean a +catastrophe for us." + +"Then we are certainly stopped at this cave." + +"Not by any means," rejoined John, and he saw the boys' faces smiling +again. "We must make a safety lamp." + +"Do you mean a lamp that will not explode the gas, although it has +enough oxygen to 'support combustion,' as you say?" + +"Exactly. Have you ever heard of the Humphrey Davy lamp? Well, that was +invented to meet the very condition found here." + +"Tell us about it." + +"In 1816 Davy discovered that a flame would not pass through a fine wire +gauze, while conducting some experiments. It occurred to him that use +could be made of this discovery by surrounding the flame of a lamp with +gauze, and the well-known lamp was built on that principle." + +"What I am curious to know is, that if it will not burn the gas, will it +go out if it gets down in the gas?" + +[Illustration: _Fig. 13. Types of Safety Lamps._] + +"Yes; because enough air, or oxygen must go through the mesh to support +combustion of the flame itself. If it does not get enough it is +smothered." + +"Then why not make a lamp of that kind?" + +"But where can we get enough gauze to make a cylinder big enough to go +around a lamp?" + +John laughed at the serious predicament, which expressed itself in the +faces of the boys. "That is true," he said; "but if we can get a small +piece of tin, we can punch it full of fine holes, and probably make +that answer." + +"We haven't anything in the way of tin large enough to go around a lamp, +but here is a round piece, about three inches in diameter." + +"That will answer; punch that as full of holes as possible, and be sure +they are very small." + +"What shall we use for a lamp?" + +John was already looking around, and soon spied a tree in the distance +that looked like a small pine, and beneath that he found some cones, a +dozen of which were picked up. + +[Illustration: _Fig 14. How John made the Lamp._ + _A. Perforated Disk_ + _B. Frame of Sticks_ + _C. Cloth Covering_ + _D. Base Plate._] + +"That is a pine tree, isn't it?" + +"Yes; these cones will burn for some time." + +"But they will not make much of a light." + +"No; but we are not after a light, but they will do for testing +purposes." + +The accompanying sketches show how it was made. A plate was used for a +base, on which the burning cone was placed. A half dozen twigs were +then provided, and these were bent U-shaped, after being secured +together at their middle portions, and the lower ends held by a cord, +and this was then inverted, and a piece of thin cotton goods, of a +single thickness, only was wound around the little frame, leaving an +opening at the top, which was covered by the perforated tin disk. + +"There, now we have an article which provides for the admission of air, +through the cotton goods, and the product of combustion can escape +through the perforated opening at the top." + +The boys danced around with joy, when the cone was ignited, and a bale, +which was simply a string, attached, so it could be carried +conveniently. + +This time they went on, far beyond the place where the poor dogs lay. +Occasionally John would lower the device, and when it descended too far, +the knot would begin to smoke, and this was explained by the statement +that as it went into the carbon gas, less and less air was supplied, +which caused the flame to die down. + +The cave was similar to the others, being white from the lime deposits, +but in all their wanderings they had never seen anything to compare with +the beautiful hangings noted in the interior, particularly in the +chambers, which they passed, one after the other, four of which were +especially admired. + +Ephraim was intensely interested. He never had taken the trouble to +visit any of these caverns, and was not disposed to take much stock in +the many tales that had been related about the weird interiors. + +"I can now understand," he said, "why the natives possessed such a fear +of them. I have faced many perilous conditions, during my life here, but +I confess if I had any faith in the superstitions about these places, +they would have paralyzed me, now that I have seen their ghostly +appearance." + +They suddenly emerged into a spacious chamber, so large that their +voices seemed to reverberate. The flash lights were directed to all +sides and to the immense vaulted and icicle-covered ceiling. John stood +the lamp on the ground. It was free from the dangerous gas. The floor +was fairly level, but it was covered with the broken hangings from the +ceiling. + +"I see an outlet, directly opposite the one we came by," exclaimed +George. + +The party hastened across the intervening space. They were traveling +along the greatest length of the chamber. Midway between the two +openings were two other side openings, and John stopped and exclaimed: +"It is true! We have found it!" + +The boys had never seen John so agitated before. They pressed around and +requested an explanation, but he fumbled in his pocket, and soon drew +forth a carefully wrapped piece of brown paper. + +"This is parchment. It contains the sketch of the cave that has been the +object of my search. I believe we are the only white people who have +ever been privileged to enter it since the chart was made three +centuries ago." + +Ephraim, as well as the boys, glanced about them. What was there to +excite him? Other caves had the same sort of formation, the chambers and +the openings: and while they wondered John drew a compass from his +pocket, and after holding it for a while, continued: + +"This chamber runs north and south as you see. We entered on the south +side. It had two other outlets, one to the east, the other to the west." + +"Then it is the cross-shaped cave!" almost shouted George. + +"Yes," answered John, as he fixed his eyes on the boys. "In the year +1620, a Spanish navigator found a cave, of which this is a description, +and within it were found the remains of hundreds of people." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE CHART AND THE CAVES + + +John pored over the map, without going any further. Evidently something +was passing in his mind, for occasionally his eyes left the paper and he +looked about, as though undecided. + +"Do you know any more about what they found?" + +"Yes; there are many incomplete portions belonging to the history, but +it may be summed up by the statement, that they also found an immense +amount of treasure, much of it in the form of solid gold. The +adventurers were wild with joy at the discovery, and took steps to +remove it. + +"Before proceeding far they found carvings and inscriptions, the latter +of which were unintelligible to them, but they were very curious, +judging from the few sketches which were made. But like many men of +their class they began to quarrel over the treasure, and fought each +other to the death." + +"That was just like the fellows who lived in the cave at the Cataract," +suggested Harry. + +"No doubt that was over the treasure, too, there, as well as here. Four +of the men escaped, only to be chased by savages, and after finally +reaching their vessel were almost wrecked because they did not have +enough properly to man the ship. + +"After reaching civilization, they engaged a number of men, and +returned. Some went in, among them two of the original discoverers. They +did not return for some days, and another party went in, but they did +not return. + +"Only one of the four remained, and when their companions did not +return, the others took fright and returned to the vessel. Juan Guiterez +was the name of the sole survivor of the first expedition. The +adventurers who accompanied him declared that he and his company had +lured them to the strange isle, in order to destroy them, and on the +return to the first Spanish port, he was cast into prison, and remained +a prisoner for nearly twenty years. + +"This chart, or what remains of it, or from which this copy was made was +written by him while in prison, but the singular thing is, that while he +was explicit in many things, he did not leave a clue as to the location +of the island. Many of the things on it, as you see, are very faint." + +The boys now examined the chart for the first time. Harry started back +in surprise, as he pointed to the chart, and looked up at John. "Why, +there are the same marks we found on the skull at Wonder Island!" he +exclaimed in great excitement. + +"Quite true! and do you now wonder why I have been so much interested to +find the location? Chance has thrown this opportunity our way. It is +true we might be mistaken, but the description fits." + +It would require pages to tell about what they found in the recesses of +the cavern. Hundreds and hundreds of skeletons were discovered, and the +most curious tablets and carvings in hieroglyphics were scattered in the +adjoining chamber. + +Peculiarly-formed tools, implements of warfare, also of metal, small +slabs of uniform size, and with characters on both sides, which might +have been the historical books of the singular people who lived here +ages ago, were in profusion not only in the large chamber, but in the +most unexpected places. + +To John it was a vast storehouse of archeological wealth. To the boys it +was much more. There were still some things that John did not explain, +and which they wanted to know. + +"Do you believe that the different parties went in and never came back +again?" asked George. + +"I have no doubt but the account was true." + +"What became of them?" + +"They probably met the fate that almost overtook us when we first went +in," was the answer. + +The parchment was correct in the main details, as to the records within +the cave, but there were no treasure, nor could any trace be found of +them. They spent several days in the search, but to no avail. The boys +were not much disappointed, it may be said, but they were gratified to +know that John had accomplished the one desire of his life, and they +knew, also, that it would be a source of great joy to the Professor. + +It was found that the cave entrance at the opposite side of the hill was +the northern outlet to the same set of caverns, and Ephraim did not know +of any others that existed in the northern part, so that they did not +feel it to be desirable to take up more time in this direction. + +They had now found two isles, besides their own loved island, and when +they assembled that evening in the cabin of the _Pioneer_, they had a +most earnest conversation as to the results of their latest enterprise. + +"We have sought the treasures of the islands, and what have we +accomplished?" asked George. + +"What have we accomplished? I have been thinking that to find the +natives here, and to be able to help them, is a pretty big thing in +itself," answered Harry. + +"That is true," he responded, "and the same thing might be said, also, +about the wonderful products of the islands; they are certainly worth +coming here for. I wonder what Blakely would say if he knew of all there +is here, and the knack shown by the natives to handle the things?" + +"I am in sympathy with your views," said John. "Treasures, like gold and +silver, are worth seeking for, but when you find that the earth is +inviting people to till it, and there are people who, through ignorance, +do not know how the earth can be utilized, it is a great privilege to be +able to help them, and the recollection of what you have done will be +the greatest treasure not only to you but to the poor people that have +been benefited." + +"I think Ephraim's story is a wonderful one," said George, "but he could +not go far. His education was limited, but see what he has done with the +little he knew." + +"It was curious, however, that the cannibals had fear for him. I cannot +understand that," rejoined Harry. + +"Savages are children only. They have the capacities of full grown men, +but have never had the opportunities. Their superstitions lead them +into singular forms of reasonings. With them the deformed are objects of +curiosity, and generally, of reverence. Those mentally deficient are +regarded as possessing a superior spirit." + +"I remember that the Professor told us so on one occasion, but it seems +to be singular that they should get that view. How do you account for +it?" + +"That is a trait, or, I may say, a belief which is not at, all uncommon +among civilized people. Throughout Europe many men, who lived years ago, +are reverenced as Saints, and, who, from the accounts given of them, +were demented. Why, it is even claimed that there is but one step from +the abnormally gifted to the insane person." + +"Is that really so regarded among learned men?" + +"It has been the subject of many remarkable books which have been +written to show that genius and insanity are closely allied. Take, for +instance, the case of Blind Tom, an ignorant negro, who, although he +could not read, nor did he know a single note of music, was able, +nevertheless, to play the most marvelous music, and repeat, at a single +hearing, an entire musical score." + +"But such talents, as that, I have heard, is only in some particular +direction. He was not able to do anything else," suggested George. + +"Quite true. But it is so with what is called genius. I once knew a +learned minister, a leading professor in one of the colleges, who was +absolutely devoid of any other phase of education, except theology. He +could not master the first rudiments of mathematics, and knew no more of +astronomy than a ten year old boy, but he was supreme in his particular +branch of knowledge." + +But the great question with John and the boys was the future. Two +islands had been discovered. Some of the mysteries of the past three +years had been solved, but others still remained; in fact, those which +interested them the most, were still shrouded in a veil through which +there was only the slightest glimpse. + +John felt that their first duty would be thoroughly to explore the +island to the north and west of the village, and thus enable them to +make a complete report when they returned to Wonder Island, and this +course was finally decided upon. + +The spirit of John had now entered Ephraim. He had fully agreed to +accompany them in the _Pioneer_, and learn of their great work on that +island. He said that it was his duty to his children and to the natives +who had stood by him so nobly, to provide for their future welfare. + +He was most active in arousing the people to an understanding of the +mission of John and the boys. Within a day, all preparations were made +for the journey through the island, and Ephraim was with them in order +to learn all that might be necessary, so that when he returned he could +advise the people. + +For more than a week they tramped through the attractive portions of the +land, and then the day was set for departure. + +"I have been thinking of making a trip to your friends in the South," +said John, as they were dining at Ephraim's home, the day before the +date of sailing. + +"That would please me more than anything else," replied Ephraim. "It +occurs to me that is the first step toward peace and prosperity on the +island." + +"Then we shall sail to their village, and from that place go to Venture +Island, where we had our first adventures, stopping, on the way at +Hutoton, where they have a criminal colony." + +"What is that?" inquired Ephraim. "A criminal colony?" + +"Yes," said John. "On the large island to the south, which we discovered +before we came here we found a singular condition of things. Near the +southern end of the island we came into contact with a tribe ruled over +by a Chief, named Beralsea, a powerful man; in fact, there is no law +there except the will of the Chief." + +The boys were now laughing immoderately, and Ephraim was moved to smiles +at their mirth. "It must have been very amusing, I have no doubt," he +said. + +"We were thinking of the jolly time we had when Sutoto married the +Chief's daughter," said George. + +"We shall tell you all about it on our way there," added Harry. + +"I was about to say," continued John, as he also smiled at the +reminiscence, that his views on theft were most peculiar. He did not +regard it as a crime if the people stole from each other. But if they +attempted to steal from him, or tried to deceive him, it was such a +great crime, that the unfortunates were banished to a place called +Hutoton, which, as he stated, meant the Place of Death. + +"We were informed that it was a terrible place, and when a man was +sentenced it also meant a like sentence to all of his family, and that +no one was ever known to return from that horrible prison home." + +"I have heard, but only vaguely, that there was such a place, but had no +idea that it was so near to us. But did you verify the character of the +place?" + +"We went there, and instead of finding a barren and uninviting spot, and +misery and want, we saw a lovely village, and people so much more +advanced than those in the village ruled over by the Chief, that we were +amazed. + +"The ruler there treated us handsomely, and had even taken care in the +most kindly manner, of a white man who had escaped the rigors of the sea +some years before, and who was demented, or incapable, through +paralysis, of recognizing those around him." + +Ephraim started as John said this. "A white man, did you say? How old +was he? Where is he now?" + +"We sent him to Wonder Island where the Professor has taken care of him, +no doubt," Harry interjected. + +"You appear agitated. Have I recalled anything that might give a clue to +his identity?" queried John. + +"No; it could not be possible! It was merely a passing fancy. Strange, +how things sometimes will affect you. No, I do not know that I can add +anything to your knowledge concerning him." The subject was not again +alluded to during that day. + +Ephraim and his family were taken aboard the _Pioneer_. Everything was +marvelous to them. The cabin with its complete furnishings, the musical +instruments, the phonograph, the piano player, which acted like a +wizard, because it gave out the sweet musical tones, as though it were a +living thing, and then a moving picture screen, which was the last thing +the boys installed before they left New York, made up a series of +entertainments for the family that had no end of marvels for them. + +"To think of it; for fifty-two years this is the first time I have paced +the decks of a vessel. It is the happiest day of my life." And Ephraim +could scarcely keep the tears from coming. Happiness shows itself in +that way with the strongest, not with the weakest. The strong man can +stand the miseries and the sufferings much better and with a braver +front than the weak; but excessive joy will break him down so that he +manifests it more easily. + +John saw his emotion and sympathized with him. Taking him by the arm he +led him to the cabin forward, and as they entered the cozy library, he +pointed to the books. This was the end of Ephraim for that day. + +Without leaving the room he moved from case to case and scanned shelf +after shelf, and when John, on one occasion came in, he heard him +mutter: "Is there another place like this on earth?" + +Late that evening the _Pioneer_ took down part of its sail as they +approached land in the distance. + +"We are nearing Hutoton," shouted George. + +Stut ordered the whistle to blow, and before the landing was reached the +shore was lined with the people. They soon recognized the visitors, and +the boats were prepared before the anchor finally dropped. + +The entire crew of the _Pioneer_ went ashore, and Ephraim was curious to +see the head man, and have a conversation about the manner in which the +colony was conducted. + +The boys could not understand the change of plans. Why did they not stop +at the southern part of the island, and visit the Malosos, who were +supposed to be Ephraim's enemies? + +It was learned that John and Ephraim, after the vessel started, +concluded it would be wiser to visit Hutoton first and get all the +information possible from them concerning the time, condition, and +circumstances of the casting ashore of the white man found there when +John and his party made their visit. + +In explanation of their action, it may be well, also, to state that they +still had on board of the _Pioneer_, the white man they had rescued or +taken from the stockade in the Malosos village, and that there were +certain things in his tale that seemed improbable to John. + +The visit to Hutoton might be able to clear up the mystery, and possibly +establish the identity of the paralyzed man, and in that event it would, +not be necessary to go directly to the Malosos village but await their +return from Venture Island before visiting the village. + +While the old man was being taken from the vessel, George went to John +and inquired: "Did he ever tell you his name?" + +"Oh, yes; he says it is Henry D. Retlaw." + +All noticed that he stole furtive glances about him as he was being +conveyed to the village. + +"Were you ever here before?" asked John, as they neared the house of the +magistrate. + +He shook his head vigorously, and answered "No!" with a vehemence that +startled John. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +RESCUE ISLAND + + +Orders had gone out to prepare to receive the visitors in true Hutoton +style, but, in truth, the people did not need any urging. The +remembrance of the last visit, when the gifts were so judiciously +distributed, was sufficient to assure a generous welcome. + +It was out of the question to leave that night, and John felt it to be a +duty to cultivate their acquaintance, and confer with the chief +magistrate about starting the people at work gathering the native +products. + +John announced that within a month it was proposed to establish regular +sailings between that port and Wonder Island, which would enable them to +get supplies and ship their products each week. This intelligence was +then imparted to the people, who received it with the greatest +enthusiasm. + +"One of the objects of the present visit is to take you with us to +Wonder Island," said John, addressing the leader, "so that you may learn +what we are doing, and come back prepared to instruct your people." + +When this information was conveyed to him, he cast down his eyes, and +said sorrowfully: "But I am a convict, like the others, and I have been +condemned to stay here. If I leave this place I disobey the law of the +Chief." + +John smiled as he replied: "I have provided for all that. You will meet +your Chief Beralsea in Unity, the Capital of Wonder Island. Hutoton is +no longer the terrible place that the Chief pictured to us. He told me +that your assistance was necessary to him and to the people in the +colony." + +This information was received in gratitude, and his consent was thus +readily obtained. + +After a night of feasting, preparations were made for the departure. +Retlaw was brought to the place where the paralyzed man was discovered, +and the leader Caramo accompanied them. + +The moment Caramo saw him he turned to John and said: "I have seen that +face before. I am sure he accompanied another man when on one occasion a +boat load came ashore a long way to the south of us." + +"How long ago was that?" + +"Not more than three suns ago." + +It must be understood that _three_ suns meant with these people, three +years by our reckoning. When Retlaw was examined he denied that he had +ever been on the island before, and, of course, there was no way to +discredit his statements. After all, Caramo might be mistaken in +identifying him, as they were some distance apart at the time the island +was supposed to have been visited by Retlaw. + +At noon of the following day the _Pioneer_ weighed anchor, and set sail +for the southern port of the northern island, there to visit Chief Ta +Babeda, of the Malolos. + +While they were skimming the shore south of the village, George said: +"There is one thing we have neglected. We have had so much to do lately +that we haven't found time for it, but there is an opportunity now." + +"What is that?" asked Harry. + +"We have no name for the island to which we are now going. We might +consult Ephraim. It would be hardly fair to impose any sort of name on +his country," suggested George, with a good humored laugh. + +Ephraim was delighted at the idea. "We must have a name, assuredly, but +it never occurred to me before. The natives called it Rescudada; at any +rate that is as near as I can recall the pronunciation of the word." + +"Why, that is almost like Rescue." + +"Why wouldn't that be a good name?" asked Ephraim. "There has been +considerable rescue work here, and it is going on all the time." + +"That's the name for it!" exclaimed Harry, enthusiastically. + +"Suppose we notify General John and Skipper Stut that the Geographical +Society has just named the island 'Rescue'?" + +This important function was attended to and a note made in the log that +the island discovered in south latitude 41° 37' 10", and west longitude +138° 2' 56", by the steamship _Pioneer_, was formally named _Rescue_. + +Long before the village was reached the great fog horn of the _Pioneer_ +commenced to give the signal. The villagers knew what it meant, and the +old Chief himself was at the landing place to welcome the visitors. + +The boats were manned by the sailors, and the boys, together with John, +Ephraim, and Caramo, were in the first boat. When Ta Babeda gazed at +Ephraim, he was astounded. John had not informed him of the name of his +visitor, but he continued to gaze at him in amazement. + +It was evident that the old Chief was impressed with his appearance, so +unlike anything he had ever before known in the form of a human being. +When they arrived at the Chief's house, John awaited the proper time +before making the introductions, and finally said: + +"It gives me pleasure to introduce to you, the greatest enemy you have. +This is Rumisses, the Cannibal Chief of the Umbolos." + +The Chief was startled beyond measure. True, he knew that John and his +party had come into contact with his arch enemy, but this was certainly +a thrilling way to bring them together. + +Ephraim walked forward and seized the Chief by the hand, and then +pressed his nose against him. This was, of course, symbolic of +friendship. + +The Chief unhesitatingly accepted the token, but he could not remove his +eyes. Here was the man, so unlike all others, and the impression of +superiority, undoubtedly, was also in his mind, but Ephraim quickly +relieved him of his reflections, as he said: + +"Because I am so unlike you, is not due to any particular knowledge, or +favor from the Great Spirit. I am a white man, like the Great Chief +here, and was unfortunate to be cast among the natives in the north, +and I have tried for many years to prevent the practicing of the +sacrifices, and have succeeded." + +"But we were told that all the people you captured from us were +sacrificed." + +"It is not true. They are all living with us in perfect happiness and +contentment." + +"Then why is it that we have been so much deceived?" + +"Because the Korinos have not told you the truth. They did this because +they knew no better." + +"Yes; the White Chief has told us that they have deceived us, and I +believe him. But I learn that my Korinos have gone to you for +protection!" + +"Yes; and I have shielded them, and they are now on board of the vessel +in the harbor." + +This information brought back all the native resentment of the old +Chief. "Then he has brought them back to me!" he exclaimed in great +earnestness. + +"I believe he intends to do so, but it will not be until they go to +Wonder Island, that marvelous place." + +"Then I am content." + +John heard the conversation, and soon turned it into another direction, +when he informed the Chief that the Chief of Venture Island as well as +the leader of the criminal colony, were to accompany them to Wonder +Island, and that the company would be incomplete without him and his +family. + +He looked at his visitors for some time, doubting in his mind the +propriety of such a course, but the entreaties of Ephraim, and the +urging of Muro and Uraso, were sufficient to decide the question, and +the only matter that now weighed on his mind was to determine who should +accompany him in this wonderful voyage. + +Ta Babeda had never summoned up sufficient courage, while the ship was +formerly in port, to board the vessel. His examination of the _Pioneer_ +was made from the shore. Now he would step into a new world. + +He little knew what wonders would be exhibited to him. The ship's band +was the greatest thing he had ever known, and he never tired of its +music. But when he saw the curious piano, the music box that acted as +though it had life, and the other evidences of civilized arts, that were +found in the cabin, he was content to make the best of it. + +Like all natives, as we have already stated, he was immoderately fond of +eating, and the kitchen arrangements, where food was cooked without any +fuel, interested him beyond everything else. He would sit at the +entrance of the kitchen for minutes at a time. + +The push buttons, the snap switches for the electric lights and for the +cooking apparatus, were some things which he could not understand. The +little innocent wires meant nothing to him, nor could the boys, or even +John, explain the phenomenon to him so he could understand it. + +The boys puzzled over this, as he was insistent upon an explanation. +What finally happened, the very thing the boys tried to avoid in every +way, came when he touched the two wires, and formed a short circuit +through his hand. + +He emitted one yell, and bounded out through the door, and it was some +time before he could be induced to make further investigations. His +expressions were very humorous, particularly when he insisted that the +wires were mad, and didn't like him, and that they tried to pull his +arms out of his shoulders. + +Harry then took two of the wires and brought them together, and then +pulled them apart. Each time this was done, a spark would flash. The +object was to show that two wires were necessary to produce a circuit or +a current. + +Eventually an inspiration seemed to strike him, as he exclaimed: "They +are married! Yes, I see!" + +The boys laughed as they told John of the circumstance, and how utterly +impossible it was to produce a current until a circuit was established. + +John threw himself back and roared at the recital of the story, as told +by the boys. "I think his description is a pretty good one. Perhaps he +was thinking of the family circle?" and John continued to laugh as the +boys tried to grasp the full meaning of his little joke. + +But Ta Babeda was an apt pupil. He was far more acute than Beralsea, and +there scarcely was an hour but he had one of the boys at his side trying +to fathom some of the mysteries in the new world. This was in the nature +of a picnic for the boys, who enjoyed his curious questions and his +equally unexpected comments. + +Ephraim, too, was generally present, as well as Camma, his eldest son, +the latter evincing remarkable knowledge for one who had never known of +the wizardry that resides in wood and stones and iron. + +To Ephraim this opportunity to open the wide world to his children must +have been a heaven of delight, and he reveled in every hour and even +regretted that nature demanded sleep. It seemed to be better awake and +seeing and feeling. Two weeks prior to this he had merely existed; now +he was a man again, and living. + +It was, indeed, a merry party on board of the noble ship. When the +Chief, and those about him were told that the vessel was the creation of +George and Harry, it was another occasion to marvel over. + +"Your boys can do the same thing, and make other things just as +wonderful," said John, as they were commending and petting the boys. + +"Do you think so!" asked Ta Babeda, in great earnestness, and for the +first time showing any curiosity or indicating any desire to give his +children any advantages. + +John saw that the leaven was working, as he replied: "That is why I have +been so anxious to have you and your children visit our city. Your wife +and daughters will find as many surprising things to interest them as +the boys will discover." + +The run from Rescue to Wonder Island, would occupy, ordinarily, about +ten hours, of a complete day, and for that reason the start was made +early in the morning. Unity was about eight miles from the sea, on a +large stream, and it was desirable to make the run through the river by +daylight. + +But shortly before noon a wind sprang up from the west, and it increased +in intensity, so that shortly after the noon hour they were compelled to +make a long tack to the south. This meant a night on board ship, and a +stormy one at that. + +The wide, wide sea, without the sign of any land in sight was, indeed, a +fascinating thing to the natives, and how they admired the native +sailors with whom they readily fraternized. They watched every movement, +the taking down of the sails, the changing of the angles of the great +sheets, as they turned in their course, the handling of the tiller, and +all the paraphernalia of sailing, for the _Pioneer_ depended principally +on her sailing capacity, and not on the small engine with which she was +equipped. + +The boys explained to Camma, that upon their return to the island a much +larger engine would be installed, so that they need not depend upon the +sails thereafter, but would be able then to sail directly through the +wind, instead of being blown back and forth, as was now the case. + +The wind did not abate until the morning was breaking, and then there +was a welcome change in the direction that the storm was taking. Many of +the natives were ill, and John had the satisfaction of administering the +new and lately-discovered remedy, namely, Atropine. + +Shortly after ten o'clock the eastern end of Wonder Island was sighted. +The great mountain range was visible, and the identical headland, where +the skull with the inscription was found, could be discerned through the +mild haze. + +There was immense curiosity on board the ship as it skirted along the +shore. The Tuolo landing place was sighted, but they continued past it. +Two hours afterward they could plainly see the dock which had been +built for the use of Uraso's people, and an hour later Muro was just as +much interested to point out to Ephraim and Ta Babeda the landing +station of his tribe. + +Immediately after luncheon, George, who was always on the alert, ran +through the vessel, with his field glass in hand, and announced that the +_Wonder_, the large steamship, which made trips to Chili, was coming up +in the distance, and heading, as they were, for the mouth of Enterprise +River, which flowed past the city. + +All were intensely excited at the announcement, and rushed forward to +get a glimpse of the great ship. As she came up the streamers began to +fly from every spar and mast, and Harry ran up to Stut, and asked why +the _Pioneer_ did not have them out. + +"But they are ready and will be flown as soon as we get nearer." As he +said this the first ones were unfurled. Then the _Wonder_ blew three +long blasts which the _Pioneer_ answered. + +"They are going to let us go in first," said John. Such was, indeed, the +case, for the _Wonder_ slowed down, and the _Pioneer_ entered the mouth +of the river, for the last eight miles of the eventful cruise. + +Two miles from the town both vessels began to blow signals with the fog +horns, and long before the wharf was reached the people began to flock +from all sides. + +One little incident pleased the boys beyond all measure. On the bridge, +and furiously waving his arms, and swinging an American flag was Sutoto, +with his bride by his side. + +"So Sutoto has been on a wedding trip to Chili?" remarked Harry. + +Such was the case, as they afterwards learned. Both boys were busy +explaining the sights and the locations of the different buildings to +Beralsea and Ephraim, and the latter was much affected as he saw the +flag floating from the tall staff in the principal square of the city. + +Beralsea had seen Sutoto wave the flag from the bridge of the _Wonder_, +and when he saw the same sort of emblem on the staff, he inquired of +Ephraim the meaning of the curious thing. It was then explained to him +that it was the magic combination of colors which their great tribe +believed in, and which was always raised above them wherever they were, +as a symbol that they were protected by it. + +"But how can that protect the people? Is there something in it like the +unseen lightning, which we have on the ship?" + +"Unseen lightning, is a pretty good name, coming from a savage," +remarked Harry in an undertone. + +"No; not in that way," answered Ephraim, "but whenever people see it, +wherever they may be, they know that the tribe is great enough to give +protection to any one who may try to injure any member of our tribe." + +"The White Chief has told me that there are many islands and countries, +and that the world is round, and is peopled by many different tribes. Do +the people everywhere know that 'flag,' as you call it?" + +"Yes; in every part of the world." + +"Who are those two men standing there alone?" asked Ta Babeda. + +"I do not know," responded Ephraim. "This is the first time I have been +here. The boys will know." + +"That," answered George, "is the Professor,--that is, the man with a +white beard and hair. The large man by his side is Beralsea, the Chief +of the tribe on Venture Island." + +Ephraim looked at Ta Babeda for a moment, with an amused smile, and then +remarked: "He is almost as large as you are." + +The _Wonder_ was the first to get her cables to the dock, and as she +swung against the wharf, and the gang plank was fixed in place, the +first ones to spring ashore were Sutoto and Cinda, the latter of whom +rushed to her father's outstretched arms, and then to her mother and the +other members of the family. + +The boys did not know how or where to extend the first greetings. There +was Sutoto and Lolo, and the dear old Professor, who considerately kept +in the background, but the boys insisted on giving him the first +greeting. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE RETURN TO WONDER ISLAND + + +"That was an awfully sly thing to do, as soon as our backs were turned," +said George, as Sutoto and Cinda were finally free from the vigorous +greetings. + +"What is that?" asked Cinda. + +"To run away without giving us notice!" + +"But we have seen the great wide world, and it is wonderful, and I can +never tell the people here how grand it is." + +And then the boys looked at Cinda, and when they saw the latest fashions +displayed, the prettiest gown, the neatest slippers, and the stunning +hat they took off their caps, and made a neat bow in recognition of that +feminine touch of character which so readily adapts the sex for +acquiring the latest fashions wherever they may be. + +Every one was wild with excitement. "There is Blakely!" shouted Harry. +"Hurrah! old boy! We have the place for you to visit, as soon as +possible. The finest island you ever saw, and the people all ready for +business." + +"My hands are full now; we must have another ship. Look at the _Wonder_; +she is so full of goods that we are more than eight hours behind time. +But I am arranging for another steamer." + +"Too bad that we are finding more islands than you can handle," +responded George; "I suppose we shall have to find another manager?" + +"Or several assistants," said Blakely. + +"What are all these men here for?" asked Harry. "Why the whole island +must have come to town." + +"Well, we have had to send for all the spare men from the different +tribes. Fifty of the Tuolos just came in this morning, and thirty of the +Illyas arrived yesterday, with their families. The _Wonder_ must be +unloaded, and start back again before six this evening. But what did you +find that looks as good as Venture Island?" + +"Rescue Island; a dandy place, and much bigger than Venture Island. And +what do you think? We found a chief there who is a white man," remarked +George. + +"A white man? Where is he from?" + +"Massachusetts; and he is humpbacked, but as bright as can be." + +"I saw him, did I not? He was on the _Pioneer_?" + +"Yes; there he is with Ta Babeda." + +"Ta what?" + +"That's the Chief's name who owned the other tribe on Rescue Island. +Isn't he an immense fellow? But he is a brick; I can tell you. Come over +and I'll introduce you," and Harry pulled Blakely over while the latter +resisted, as the men were constantly besieging Blakely for orders. + +"Never mind the work now. Get acquainted with the _big_ men first," and +the Professor laughed as he saw the boys forcibly tug at Blakely and +haul him over to the group. + +"This is one of the big men we have on the island," said Harry to Ta +Babeda, and the latter looked at Blakely for a moment, and began to +smile, for while Blakely was chunky he was not at all large, if the +Chief might be taken as a standard. + +He took Ta Babeda's hand, and welcomed him most heartily, and then +turned to Ephraim, and also extended a greeting. + +"This is the man who does all the business," said Harry, "and he is +going to make you a visit." At this point they were interrupted. + +"Shall we store all the pineapples aft," said a man hurriedly. + +"No; put them amidship," he answered. + +"We have no crates for the vegetables," said another. + +"Never mind, put them in the large boxes, and they can be crated on the +way." + +"Some more men have just come; what shall we put them at?" was the +report of another, and so from one to the other, Blakely was ever ready +with a prompt answer. + +The Chiefs and Ephraim watched and wondered at Blakely and his constant +readiness to entertain them, meanwhile giving orders to hundreds of the +workers who were crowding about. It was an object lesson of what +business meant, and the boys felt proud and happy to see the great +ability which he displayed. + +But what a happy day it was for the Professor. He and John were in close +conference, after the formal introductions were over. "There is +something brewing," said George as he nudged Harry, and cast a glance +toward the place where they stood in earnest conversation. + +"I do believe John is telling him about the copper box; and by the way, +he has never spoken about that since we took it out of the cave. That is +just what he is doing; see, he is indicating the size of it." + +Harry laughed, as he answered: "I am satisfied they will not do anything +rash, without consulting us," and George laughed at Harry's view of the +case. + +They had been absent from the island a little over a month. During their +absence the new hotel was completed and was now in running order. This +became the headquarters for the visitors. While it was only two stories +in height, it contained nearly a hundred rooms, and the utmost effort +was made to make all of them comfortable. + +The boys had their own rooms, and could not be induced to give them up. +John and the Professor also maintained their old rooms, which were most +comfortable, and attached to the Professor's apartments was a large room +where the people came daily to see him and consult about their many +wants. + +He never failed to see them. It mattered not who called, it was +unvarying custom to greet all alike. The affection for him in the minds +of the people grew stronger day by day. + +There were now five of the Chiefs on Wonder Island permanent residents +in Unity. A great change had come over the feelings of the people with +respect to the ownership of land. When the town was laid out, and the +people began to flock to the place, attracted by its many advantages, +it began to look for a time as though the different Chiefs soon would +find themselves without subjects. + +In addition to this the Professor recognized that too many of the people +were expecting to be put to work in the city, and this would cause +agriculture to be abandoned, whereas it was obvious that they must +depend upon the soil for sustenance. + +John and the Professor therefore developed a plan which would be the +means of keeping the people in their own sections, or, at least, +encourage them to till the ground. + +The Chiefs in Wonder Island owned the soil. Their people reserved to +themselves the right to hunt and to gather the fruits and nuts necessary +to sustain life. But they had no right whatever, independently of the +Chiefs. + +The first step, therefore, was to gain the consent of these rulers to a +division of the land, so that all their people might have farms. Uraso +and Muro were the first to agree to the plan, and it was quickly +followed by all except the Tuolos and the Illyas. + +The Chiefs themselves, under this plan, were to receive one quarter of +the acreage, and of the residue, one-third was to be turned into what +was called a state fund, to be used for schools and for administrative +purposes, while the balance was to be given to the people, who were to +select their own land. + +For the purpose of enabling proper deeds to be made, it was necessary to +make a survey of the islands, and this had been completed six months +previously, so that many of the people who now understood that the lands +selected belonged to them, and could not be taken from them without +their consent, were only too happy to consent to remain on their own +land. + +But here another problem presented itself. It was desirable that the +people should build homes on these farms, and Blakely and John evolved +the plan to provide certain quantities of lumber, at a low price, to be +paid for from the products of the land. This had a most stimulating +effect, and applications were coming in from every quarter. As a result +small saw mills were put up in the territorial limits of each of the +tribes, so that it was an easy matter for the people to get the lumber +near home. + +But that which taxed the energies of Blakely most, was to provide the +farming implements and the seed and instruction necessary to start them +on the way. As it was impossible to provide all the tools and implements +required for this purpose, Blakely had recourse to the States, and by +inserting a few advertisements in the agricultural papers throughout our +country, it was not long before the implements were forthcoming, all of +which were paid for from the reserve fund which had been provided. + +And now another thing of the utmost importance happened. It was noised +about from Maine to California that there was an immense opportunity to +make money in the now well-known Wonder Island. Every return trip of the +_Wonder_ from the nearest South American port, brought Americans, with +funds to invest in plantations and in setting out coffee trees and +banana groves. + +Many Americans came from the great ranches of South America, +particularly Brazil, which furnishes full three-fourths of all the +coffee of commerce. These men went through the islands and began the +barter for the lands. + +At first this was encouraged, but it was soon, discovered that the +shrewd, and, more frequently than otherwise, the unscrupulous traders +were cheating the unsophisticated people, so that the Professor had to +take a firm hand, and declare that no transfers would be made until the +sales had been investigated. + +This made the prices of lands go up by leaps and bounds, and the +Professor told the people that they should not sell their holdings, as +it would be much better for them to own and till the farms than to sell +them and then work for the owners. + +All this tended to make the people appreciate that they really owned +something--that they had wealth and power within their grasp. Then +began, or rather was carried out more systematically, the founding of +schools, and by many means the parents themselves were induced to attend +the schools. + +All were taught English. With the large funds that the state had +obtained in selling a portion of the state lands, the Professor sent for +teachers from the United States, and these came prepared to take up the +work all over the island. + +The most interested workers were the Korinos, as they were called on +Rescue Island, and Krishnos on Wonder Island. The Professor's first +work, after the conquest of the savages, was to educate those people for +teaching, and in this they were found to be very efficient workers. + +The Korinos brought from Rescue were placed under the tuition of the +Krishnos, and it was surprising to see how happily they regarded their +lot, and what progress they made after they understood what was +required. + +Although we have not a full account of all the products shipped from +Wonder Island during the first six months, it might be stated that +during the last thirty days, the shipments from the port of Unity, +comprised 60,000 pounds of coffee, eighteen tons of bananas, and six +hundred quintals of spices, besides over four hundred tons of fibres, of +which jute formed one-half. + +It is estimated that within another year, when many of the large +plantations should be ready to yield their products, that amount would +be increased to such an extent that several additional ships would be +necessary to carry the tonnage. + +The foregoing is particularly instanced to show what John could point +out to the Chiefs who were now their guests, and to impress upon them +the necessity and value of adopting such a land system as they had +established. + +Ephraim readily understood and approved of the plan, but it was not so +easy for Ta Babeda, and Beralsea. At the quiet suggestion of John the +opportunity was made whereby they were constantly thrown into contact +with the resident chiefs. Within a week they accepted the suggestions +and a half dozen surveyors were commissioned to go to the islands and +take up the work of surveying the lands, and making records, which were +to be put into such form that the Chiefs would understand them. + +One day Ephraim, in conversation with John said: "I want my boys to +remain with you until they receive their education. I see that the +opportunities for work are unlimited, and I would also like to send over +a number of young men for the same purpose." + +"Your decision pleases us immensely," said John, "and I have been +wondering why your daughter would not also like to remain for a time, as +there is much she can learn that will be of great help to you." + +Ephraim was silent for a while, while he looked at John, and he finally +answered: "That means my wife will remain here also. But that has my +hearty consent. It will be for their good, and for the good of my +people." + +It was not long before Ta Babeda heard of Ephraim's decision, and he +adapted the same course to the delight of his children. As for Beralsea, +his favorite daughter was already the wife of the Chief Sutoto, of the +Berees, and it was certain that she would remain in Unity, so that there +was no difficulty in getting his consent to sending his children and +others who would carry on the work of education. + +But the boys had not, in the meantime, forgotten their factory. The old +water wheel was still there. Money could not purchase it, and they would +not permit its removal. It was the same old crude wheel built nearly +three years before at the Cataract, at the other end of the island, not +more than two miles from the rocky shore where the sea gave them up. + +After the return there had been so much to see and to learn, about the +new developments, and the visitors required so much attention that the +boys quite forgot the copper box, and to inquire about the condition of +the paralyzed man who was found at Hutoton. + +"The Professor has just told me," remarked John, "that the old man is +improving, and hopes that within another month he will be able to talk." + +"Has he any idea of what his name is?" + +"Not in the least. He keeps mumbling something about _the triangle_, or +something of that kind, but that is, of course, unintelligible." + +"I understand Retlaw is improving, also?" + +"Yes; we have thought of bringing the two men together, as soon as the +paralytic is so improved that he can talk." + +"I have often wondered what kind of a disease paralysis is?" inquired +Harry. + +"Paralysis is not a disease of itself. It is merely a sign of some +disorder of the nervous system. It may be shown by complete disability +on one side of the body, or in some particular portion, and only certain +sets of nerves may be affected." + +"But what seems so singular is, that he is not only unable to speak but +he cannot move about." + +"The form of paralysis, which affects the memory, is called _dementia +paralytica_, and attacks the brain, while some portion of the body also +may be affected." + +"Isn't it curable?" + +"There is little hope for a permanent cure. If the attack should come on +suddenly it is the most dangerous. Where it seems to approach gradually, +there is more likelihood of being able to check it." + +"In what way is there an improvement in the old man?" + +"So far as the bodily ailment is concerned he is gaining. When he was +brought back he was unable to utter a single word, nor could he move +himself in any way, except with one arm, and that only to a small +degree. Now he is able to shuffle along, across the room, and sometimes +tries to say something, which is not distinct. The only thing which thus +far seems intelligible is the word _triangle_, as I have stated." + +"Harry spoke about the copper box this morning. Have you opened it yet?" +asked George. + +"Oh, no! I wouldn't think of doing it unless you were present. The +Professor and I have had several talks about it, but we have all been so +busy that the matter has been deferred from time to time. I hope we +shall be able to get at it to-night." + +While thus engaged in conversation the Professor appeared, smiling and +happy. The boys greeted him affectionately, as was their custom always. + +"Do you want to make a visit with me?" he asked. + +"Yes; where?" asked George. + +"We will go out on B Street first," he answered. + +Together they passed the large school house, and crossed the open +square, and entered the most beautiful of all the streets, the one laid +out with rows of trees along the curbs, and flower beds along the middle +portion of the driveway. + +"Can you guess where we are going?" asked the Professor. + +"No." + +"Do you see the newly-painted house to the right?" + +"Is that where Sutoto lives?" + +"Yes; there is Cinda. Isn't she happy, though?" + +They went in and were accorded a happy welcome. Her father, the Chief, +Beralsea, and her mother, Minda, were there, but Sutoto was absent. + +"And where is the bridegroom?" asked the Professor. + +"He is in the yard somewhere. I will call him." And she tripped out the +steps, merry as a lark. + +Sutoto came in, and the boys simply shouted at his appearance. He was +covered with dirt and grease, and made no great effort to conceal the +fact. + +"And what have you been up to?" asked George. + +"Come out and I will show you." + +In the little "garage," if it might be so termed, was an auto, one which +Sutoto had purchased and brought back with him on his wedding trip. "I +was going to send for you," he said, addressing Harry, "because I have +been having trouble with the carbureter." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE SAVAGES AT UNITY + + +The boys were simply wild with delight, and George commenced to laugh +immoderately, after viewing the brightly-polished machine. + +"What is the matter? Anything wrong? Is it upside down?" asked Sutoto. + +"No; I was just thinking how funny it seems that one of the wild savages +of the island should be the first to import an automobile." + +Sutoto didn't in the least mind this allusion to his former condition, +but the boys were the only ones who dared to jest with him in this +manner. He joined in the laugh, but quickly replied: + +"But I am not the only one favored in this way." + +"Why not?" + +"I know some other people who are indulging in pleasure cars also." + +"Who is that?" + +"Well, Blakely has one, a fine little car he calls a 'runabout.'" + +"He never said anything about it. Then he brought one over for John, and +another for the Professor, but you must keep quiet; they are not to know +anything about it." + +"Then there are two more machines down there that have queer names on +them, because the fellows themselves are peculiar, and are awfully +civilized," said Sutoto, with a faint attempt at a smile. + +Harry laid down the wrench and turned to Sutoto. "What are the names?" +he asked, for the first time interested. + +"On one it says 'Mayfield,' and 'Crandall' on the other." And Sutoto +said this without cracking a smile, or indicating that he really knew +who the names applied to. + +Probably, no one on the island, at least among the natives, really knew +the boys by any other designation than George and Harry. The surnames +were of no use. Sutoto was simply "Sutoto," and no more, and so with +Uraso and Muro. + +The Professor and the old Chief heard the hilarity, and were soon out of +the house, and although the boys and Sutoto tried to push the machine +behind the garage, they were too late for the Professor's quick eye. + +He laughed when he saw the commotion. "It is all right; if I were not so +old, I would get one myself." + +"That's just the time you need it," said Harry. "By the way," he +continued, "I will bring it around to your place this afternoon." + +"Bring what?" asked the Professor. + +"Your car; of course." And Sutoto and the boys laughed at the +Professor's discomfiture. + +"I thought there was some job about to be put up on me. I wondered why +Blakely tried to keep me out of the warehouse yesterday." + +But while this merry scene was taking place, five new machines were +coming along B Street, with Blakely in the first one, and a competent +chauffeur in each of the others. + +"The first is yours, Harry, and the next one, with the red body is +yours, George," said Blakely. "I thought we should surprise you." + +"Why, there is John, too!" exclaimed Sutoto. + +"Yes; he is in his car; he was greatly surprised. But the Professor's +car is a neat one; don't you think so?" + +The boys had no ears for any one or for anything. Each was a forty-horse +power roadster, while the Professor's car had a five-passenger body, was +handsomely upholstered, and equipped with particularly easy-riding +springs. John's machine was equally well built, and after the boys had +made a full examination of their own treasures, they investigated the +other cars, and marveled at their beauty and appearance of comfort. + +The procession of the machines naturally attracted the people who came +from all directions to witness the wonder wagons which ran by +themselves. They crowded around, and listened to every comment. The old +Chief was the one most excited at the strange things. + +Neither Sutoto nor Cinda had informed them of the autos, because it was +intended to have quite a surprise party, and it was afterwards learned +that Blakely and Sutoto had planned to give all of them a surprise. The +fact that the Professor and the boys, having gone to Sutoto that +morning, were absent from their homes, precipitated to disclosure, so +that John was found and together they went to Sutoto's house. + +You may be sure that it did not take the boys long to learn the +mysteries of the machines, and they were with Sutoto, until he got the +hang of the motor, and could spin along as fast as any of them. + +The old Chief was finally induced to get into the Professor's machine, +and the latter instructed the driver to proceed slowly. Minda, who was +with them, was the braver of the two, by far. The speed was about six +miles an hour, at which the Chief marveled. + +Then, gradually, the driver speeded up, until they were making a +comfortable speed of fifteen miles an hour. As confidence increased the +pleasure grew stronger, and before they returned on the first trip he +was as determined as could be to have one for his own use. + +Blakely took note of his wish, and said: "I shall see to it that on the +return trip one of the machines will be shipped to you, but it will be +two weeks before the _Wonder_ comes in." + +From that day on Sutoto had his hands full entertaining the Chief, but +the boys relieved him of much of this, by taking him from place to +place, where he saw the work going on in all parts of the beautiful +country, and witnessed the planting of the groves, the gathering of the +crops, and the way in which the produce was handled at the wharf. + +Sutoto's home was a beautiful structure of five rooms, all nicely +furnished, the gift of the Professor. The boys enjoyed the visits there. +Sutoto was always a boy to them, and Cinda a happy bride,--and a woman +of whom any one might be proud. + +When Beralsea, her father, decided that his children must remain and +attend the schools there, the adjoining cottage was prepared for them, +and Minda consented to stay, but Beralsea, who had now partaken of the +commercial instincts, under the tutelage of Blakely, was determined to +return at once and revolutionize the condition of affairs in Venture +Island. + +That day he and Ta Babeda had a long conversation, and together they +visited John and Ephraim, and then called in Blakely. The boys were +present, of course, and it then turned out that they had agreed upon a +plan to start the agricultural work in the two islands conjointly, and +the only question which remained was to take care of the management of +the work. + +Both of the Chiefs declared that they did not possess the qualifications +to direct the work, and Ephraim pleaded age as the reason why it would +be impossible to undertake the burdens. + +"I have an idea," he said, "that the best solution would be to make +George and Harry the managers for the islands. I have been with the boys +for some time, and see what they are capable of, and every one would be +glad to work under them." + +The boys were, of course, somewhat confused at the encomium, and the +Professor came to their rescue. "These are my boys," he said. "I have +known them ever since they came to the island. They have been with me +under every condition of service. We have had hours and days of +pleasure, and of trials, such as few have undergone, and always, +whatever the circumstances, they have been manly, and never gave up, +although sometimes things seemed hopeless. + +"You have seen how, through their ingenuity, they have built the water +wheel, the mills and the factories. Fortune has been kind to them; they +do not need the money that may come to them, as they have found riches +here, far greater than you know, but they have loved the work, for the +pleasure it has brought them, and it is for them to decide." + +"Harry and I have talked about these things many times," answered +George. "When we first came to the island, we had nothing. For our own +preservation we set about to better our condition, began to build the +things necessary to maintain life, and to protect ourselves. + +"What at first was a necessity, later became a pleasure, because we +could see, day after day, how we built the shop and the machinery out of +the crude things; it would be hard to leave that work now." + +Harry approvingly nodded his head, as he responded: "I consider it a +pleasure to do anything which would help the people here. George and I +feel that it would be wrong to leave them, so long as we can be of +service to them. + +"The money we have will not make us happy; that I know, unless we can +use it to do some good. And it is so with our time, also. I am as +willing to give that as money, because we have been amply rewarded and +now our duty is to the people here." + +As a result of the conference it was agreed that George and Harry should +take up the management of the affairs on Venture and Rescue Islands, +they to decide which should be the particular sphere of each. + +The Chiefs were immensely pleased at this arrangement, and the first +steps were taken to put their plans into execution. + +John advised them that they should decide which island each would take, +and then each should cultivate the acquaintance of the young men that +the Chiefs should select, so that the administrative functions could be +instilled into them, and that they might be taught the business +qualifications necessary. + +George laughingly remarked that as the Chief Beralsea had so +accommodatingly captured him, when they first arrived on the island, he +thought that their intimate acquaintance, which was so long prior to +Harry's should decide the matter in his favor, by taking Venture Island. + +"That suits me all right. I have one advantage over you on Rescue +Island; and that is the caves. You haven't even an excuse for a cave." + +"But I have Hutoton, that terrible place where the criminals live," +retorted George, with a laugh. + +"And that reminds me; what about the copper box?" + +The boys wended their way to the Professor, and were delighted to find +John there. "Before we go we want to have the copper box opened," +remarked Harry. + +"I have just brought it around, in the machine," said John, as he +noticed the boys peering at it through the window. + +"What is that in the package lying on the box?" + +"Can't you guess?" + +"No." + +"Have you forgotten the skull with the inscription on it?" + +"Do you mean the skull we found on the headland at the eastern end of +the island?" + +"Yes." + +"Why, what is that for? Do you think it has anything to do with the +box?" + +"Probably not; but I was curious to examine it further in view of the +similarity of the chart and the inscription." + +The boys could not possibly understand what was meant by such a +reference. While they were talking the Professor entered the room, and +remarked, "I have just come from the old fellow, and his reason is +returning under the treatment, and he is also better physically." + +"Do you mean the paralytic?" + +"Yes; but there is one thing which is singular, and that is the constant +muttering of the word _triangle_. This morning I could plainly +distinguish several other words, such as 'of' and 'three,' and 'very +well,' and parts of other words, showing that in time, if his +improvement continues, we may get more information." + +"I have an idea," hurriedly shouted George as he broke for the door. +"Wait for me," he said, as he turned around and cast a glance back into +the room. "I will be back at once," were the last words they heard. + +John laughed at George's precipitous flight. "I suppose he has just +thought of something that bears on the case. In the meantime, and while +George is away, you, Harry, might get a hammer and a cold chisel. We +may have to cut the top off." + +Harry rushed out and taking John's machine was quickly at the shop, +where he secured a hammer and several cold chisels capable of cutting +the copper. + +When he returned George was there, and was unfolding the paper scrap +which they found below the skull. "Probably, this will explain the +triangle," said George, as he pointed to the V-shaped mark. "The upper +part of it is very likely worn away, so that we cannot see it." + +John smiled at the suggestion as he took the paper and carefully +examined it. "Your view may be correct," he responded. + +"That looks like a suggestion of a line," said Harry, pointing to a +faint scratch near the upper margin. + +The Professor's messenger came in hurriedly, and announced that the +paralytic had sent for him. "I will return by the time the box is +opened," said the Professor, as he hurriedly went out of the door. + +"Now for the box," said Harry. The slitting chisel was applied, and he +dextrously cut along the top, under the directions of John. + +"Direct the chisel downwardly, to see if there is any seam to be found +along the side," directed John. + +"Yes; here is the place where the top was put on," shouted Harry. + +"Why, it has been soldered," said George. "Well, that means business." + +It was evident that the soldering was effectively done, because the +solder had run entirely through the seam, and it was really sweated on. +The copper used was about an eighth of an inch thick, and the soft and +ductile character showed that it was pure metal. + +"Be very careful as you get around so as not to disturb the contents, by +the falling of the lid," said John. + +It still adhered at various places, and this was carefully cut away by +one of the thin chisels, and the lid finally raised at one corner, +sufficiently to disclose a portion of the contents, which appeared to be +round and white, and resting near the center of the space. + +All caught a glimpse of it, and involuntarily started back in surprise. +It was a skull, the counterpart of the one lying on the table which +contained the inscription. + +"Open it wide," said John in a peculiar voice, and as he did so the +Professor rushed in and announced that the paralytic had recovered +speech, and he had ordered him to be brought in. + +While the Professor was saying this, John was slowly raising the lid, +and by a quick motion tore it away, and the Professor was actually taken +aback at the sight before him. He gazed for a moment, and then muttered: +"And the same inscription too!" + +All looked toward it in amazement, and while puzzling over its meaning, +the paralytic was helped in by two attendants. He came forward, saw the +two skulls, and before either could prevent it he collapsed and fell to +the floor, apparently lifeless. + +He was gathered up and placed on a couch, and restoratives applied by +the Professor. He lay thus in a stupor for more than a half hour, but +soon returning consciousness began to manifest itself, and when he +opened his eyes, and glanced about, his lips began to move. Here the +Professor held up a warning hand, which he seemed to heed, for he +immediately closed his eyes, and was soon asleep, as his breathing +became regular, and the pulse began to act normally. + +"There must be no more agitation now," said the Professor. "We can take +the box to the adjoining room." This was done, and John carefully lifted +the skull from its resting place, bringing with it a mass of other +material, which looked like brown or discolored parchment. + +The skulls were placed side by side. They were singularly alike, the +inscription of the one found on the headland, was on the left side, and +the like figures of the one taken from the box were on the right side. + +"That is a singular thing," said Harry. + +"So it is," answered John, "but it doubtless has a meaning," he +continued. + +Beneath the box, and attached to the wrappings, was a mass of material +which John eagerly seized, and began to unwrap, while the Professor +interestedly looked on. There was not the first sign of any treasure in +the box, and when the several folds of the parchment were unrolled, the +boys could see the hieroglyphics that the Professor and John so eagerly +scanned. + +"Yes, yes, I knew you would come back," said the man in the adjoining +room, and John dropped the parchment and followed the Professor into the +room, where they saw the old man sitting on the couch and staring about +with an inquiring countenance. + +"What is your name?" said the Professor. + +He did not answer at first but looked at John and the Professor in +amazement. + +"Why do you ask?" he then muttered, without changing his countenance. "I +have told you over and over," he continued. + +"Do you know where you are?" asked John. + +"Certainly. You may ask Walter about that." + +"Walter? Do you know Walter?" asked George, almost involuntarily. + +He smiled and nodded his head. "He is here. I saw him yesterday. I wish +he would explain." Then he dropped back on the couch and remained +motionless. + +The effort to arouse him was useless, and the Professor advised +patience. There was something so peculiar about the whole situation that +it fascinated the boys. What did this man know about Walter? Possibly, +through him the great mystery, that commenced with the note in the seat +of their boat, would be explained. + +After they came back to the island, Retlaw rapidly recovered, and was +frequently found wandering around the town. On several occasions he +called on the Professor. To the surprise of all he appeared at this +time, surprised to find John and the boys present, and appeared to be +terribly startled on seeing the two skulls. + +The moment he saw the paralytic, he became agitated, and started for the +door. John barred the way, and said: "Do you know that man?" + +In a hesitating voice, he answered: "Yes; I know him well. Where did you +find him?" and notwithstanding he saw the quiet figure he drew back with +an expression of fear and hesitancy. + +George slyly drew forth the Walter note, referred to in the previous +volume, "Adventures on Strange Islands," and handed it to John. The +latter seized it and said: "Did you ever see this?" + +He grasped the paper, and answered: "Where did you get this? Did he have +it?" + +"No," replied the Professor; "we found it in a recess at the end of a +seat in our boat,--the one we made on this island, three years ago." + +"I do not know how it could have gotten there. It was written to +Clifford,--" + +"John B. Clifford?" asked Harry in excitement. + +Retlaw turned, when he heard Harry. "Yes," was the hesitating answer. + +"Do you know Walter?" asked John. + +He did not reply, but glanced at all of them, and while doing so Harry +came forward, and said: "Isn't your name Walter?" + +The man started back and held up his hand: "What makes you think so?" he +asked in alarm. + +"Because _Retlaw_ reversed, spells Walter," answered Harry. + +It was time for the Professor to show surprise at the acuteness of +Harry's conclusions. John took the cue at once. "Why are you trying to +deceive us?" + +He dropped his eyes, and was silent, and then he slowly turned to the +quiet man. + +John noticed the movement. "Who was the man tied to the vessel and +wrecked on the island to the south of us?" + +This question by John produced an added agitation in the deportment of +the man. He was visibly affected by the question, but there was no +reply. + +"As you do not feel disposed to answer our questions we must detain or +keep you in custody until Clifford recovers," said John, and motioning +to the boys, they gathered around him, and called in the attendants and +ordered the men to take charge of him. + +As they were about to pass out the door, Ephraim ascended the steps and +was about to pass into the open door. He caught sight of the curious +group, and when his eye alighted on the figure on the couch, he drew +back for a moment, while his gaze remained fixed. + +Then he calmly moved forward, slowly shaking his head from side to side, +and muttered: "That looks like Clifford, my companion on the ship, and +the one who aided me to gain a foothold on the spar. How did he come +here?" + +"That is the man we found at Hutoton," said John. "But do you know this +man?" he asked, pointing to Walter. + +Ephraim turned, and scrutinized his face. "No, I have never seen him, to +my knowledge." + +Walter moved back with a sigh of relief, while John and the Professor +looked at each other with puzzled expressions. + +"Then the man we found tied to the boat was not Clifford!" exclaimed +George. + +John looked at Walter, and he saw him grow pale. + +"Who was the man," he asked, in a threatening tone, as he approached +Walter. The latter hesitated. "We are determined to ferret out this +matter, and it will be to your advantage to tell us the whole story, for +we shall find it out sooner or later." + +"I must have time to think," he answered, as he put his hands to his +head, and turned to Clifford. + +"You may have until to-morrow, but in the meantime, we shall see to it +that you are kept within our sight," responded John, as he motioned to +the men to take him away. + +As he left the door Harry said: "Why do you suppose he wanted time?" + +John looked at Clifford for a moment, and answered: "Evidently, he had +hopes that Clifford would not survive." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES + + +At the suggestion of the Professor, Clifford was left in quiet, while +John and the boys deferred their further attempts to explore the +mysterious occurrences that were looming up. + +They canvassed every phase of the situation, in the hope that some +explanation might be offered. What could have been the relations of +Walter and Clifford, and who was the man that met his death in the boat +at Venture Island? + +Why had the sight of the copper box and the skulls so agitated Walter? +The latter, apparently, knew of the missive, which was, evidently, +written by him, but why did he not give an outright answer concerning it +when John asked him point blank? + +It did not take the boys long to inform Sutoto of the development and +the mystery concerning the two men. The old Chief, Beralsea, was taken +over to see Walter, in order to identify him if possible, and then Harry +suggested that Ta Babeda might know something of his early history, as +Walter was found a prisoner at his village when John and the boys +arrived there. + +Beralsea had never seen nor heard of him, and Ta Babeda gave the +following account of his capture: "About three years previously several +men, of whom Walter was one, arrived at the island, on a small boat, +something like the one carried by the _Pioneer_, and which was used at +the landing." + +(It should be stated that one of the boats, and probably, the one +referred to, was the identical lifeboat, No. 3, which the boys had +fitted up for use on the _Pioneer_.) + +"This boat was kept by them at the inlet directly east of the cave where +the Korinos were lodged. I did not know anything of this for some time, +but the Korinos learned of the presence of the men, and my warriors were +set to watch the men. A few days afterwards, another boat, much smaller, +appeared with two men, but from all appearances they were a different +party, and after they had a conference, it appeared as though there was +trouble between the different parties." + +"We were about to close in on them, when at the height of their quarrel, +but they caught sight of us, and joined in resisting the attack against +us. With the guns they had we were no match for them, so we had to +retire to the village. + +"The next morning we learned that they had gone, and on searching the +shore found something with marks on, it, that had no meaning to us so it +was destroyed." + +"Was it something like this?" asked Harry, handing him a sketch. + +The Chief studied it for a few moments, and answered: "It seems to me it +was like that. The marks were something like these," and he pointed to +the crosses. + +Harry had made the identical marking which were on the two skulls, +which, it will be remembered, showed the characters + V, and below these +three X X X, followed by a star. + +"I suspected as much," said John. "They were, quite possibly, on the +same quest. But where did they get the information?" And he turned to +the Professor for a possible explanation. + +The latter was now thoroughly interested. "Unless Walter chooses to +tell, the matter may not be solved, unless Clifford recovers, and even +though he should regain his physical powers, the mind may have relapsed +into its late condition." + +By agreement John and the boys remained at the Professor's home that +night, awaiting symptoms of the patient's disease, and during the night +they recounted over and over again the adventures they had undergone, +and the experiences with the natives. + +They conversed about the new enterprise into which they were to embark, +and the Professor congratulated them on the decision to remain and enter +the commercial, or business field. "After all," he said, "there is +nothing which so broadens a man as to have an occupation, and give to +that business the energies of his mind." + +"Of course, there are many things that the natives must learn, but they +are so willing to work, that it is a pleasure to show them," said Harry. +"The best men we have had in the shops were the common natives, but +there is one thing that has always been troublesome, and that is to give +them different names." + +"That is just what I had in mind for some time," added George. "It +didn't make much difference where there were only a few,--a hundred or +so, but now, when we have three hundred or more it is rather confusing +to have a dozen or more _Lolos_, and as many more _Walbes_, and names +like that." + +"It might be a good idea to suggest that each one have a sort of +surname, so that there will be no difficulty of that kind hereafter," +suggested John. + +"A family name would be the proper thing," added the Professor. + +"For my part, I don't see how people can get along without it," remarked +George. + +"But it has not always been the custom to have surnames, or family +names," suggested the Professor. + +"But the Romans did," exclaimed George. + +"Yes, they had three names: the first was the prenomen, which was a +distinctive mark of the individual; then the nomen, or the name of the +clan; and third, the cognomen, which was the family name. The first name +was usually written with a capital letter only, like M. Thus, M. Tullius +Cicero." + +"Well, that is the first time it ever occurred to me that the Romans +parted their names in the middle," said George, as he smiled at the +allusion. + +"The ancient Greeks, with the exception of a few of the leading families +in Athens and Sparta, had only a single name. Among the German and +Celtic nations each individual had only one name, and that was also true +of the ancient Hebrews; the names Abraham, David, Aaron and the others +were used singly, and this was also the case in Egypt, Syria and Persia, +and throughout all of Western Asia." + +"But it has never been so in England, has it?" asked Harry. + +"During the entire period that England was under the dominion of the +Saxons, the single name was prevalent. But that was changed later when +feudalism was established and the different lords began to gather their +vassals, and to register them." + +"But what is the principle on which the names are built?" + +"In various ways; at first they distinguished father and son by adding +the word _son_ to the father's name. If he was of German descent _sohn_ +would be added; if of Danish origin, the word _sen_, so that the son's +name in either case would be William_son_, or Ander_sohn_, or +Thorwald_sen_, or a given name with the designation _son_ added." + +"But how about the many other names, and those coming after the second +generation?" + +"They had to be named after the locality, like John _Brook_, or David +_Hill_, or something of that kind, even to an occupation, like the +_Smiths_, or the _Fishers_, as well as qualifications, such as _Wise_ +and _Good_ were adopted as surnames." + +Every hour Clifford's condition was noted, and before morning his pulse +began to beat with greater regularity, and all felt that it would be +well to take a nap, to prepare for what they knew must be an +interesting, if not exciting chapter, to round out their adventures, and +to lay bare the few mysteries which yet remained to be solved. + +Sutoto came to the Professor's house quite early, with news from Blakely +that Walter had disappeared. He had learned of the imprisonment and +that Walter was placed in the regular lock-up, where a few recalcitrants +were confined. + +How he escaped was not known. True, not much of a guard was maintained, +and the natives had no idea that the prisoner was of more than ordinary +importance. + +John was very much disappointed, but he felt that he alone was to blame, +because in the anxiety for Clifford he had entirely overlooked the +precaution necessary. He went down to the jail, with the boys, and +learned from the inmates that when the man was brought in he appeared to +be unconcerned, and immediately selected his sleeping quarters, and that +was the last they knew of him. + +As the boys were going to their own rooms, a messenger came from the +Professor that Clifford was awake, and appeared to be rational, and was +now partaking of food. After breakfast they hurried over to the +Professor, and found John there smiling. + +"I have had a little talk with him." + +"What does he say?" + +"I have not yet questioned him." + +Clifford looked at the boys curiously. "Are you the boys that Mr. Varney +spoke about?" + +"I suppose we are," said Harry. + +"His story interested me very much. I learn that you have a regular +manufacturing town here, and that you built all these things without any +outside help, before you communicated with the outside world." + +"Yes; and we had a glorious time doing it, too, but we owe everything to +the Professor and John." + +"That is really commendable to hear you say so. But you said, Mr. +Varney, that Walter told you Clifford limped, and it was on account of +this peculiarity you were led to believe that the dead man on Venture +Island was Clifford?" + +"One of the three men with Walter, was lame." + +"Then it must have been one of his party that was murdered?" + +"But Walter was explicit to tell us that one of your legs was shorter +than the other. I early learned that such was not the case, and that is +what confused me in identifying you. But there is also another thing +which I could not understand." + +"What is that?" + +"Ephraim Wilmar." + +"Stop! stop!" almost shouted Clifford. "You said _Ephraim Wilmar_. Do +you know him?" + +"Know him? He is here on the island." + +"When did he come? Where is he?" + +"He lives on an island north of the place we found you, and is Chief of +a tribe there." + +"Chief of a tribe!" he exclaimed. "An island to the north,--the +_triangle_,"--and the boys rose from their seats in the excitement. + +"Where is Walter's letter?--Quick," said Harry. + +George fumbled in his pockets with eagerness. "Is that the triangle?" +eagerly questioned Harry. + +"Yes, yes; there it is again. The three islands, and the arrow." + +"But what does the star mean,--the star that follows, as you see?" + +"That,--that is to show the position of the three islands." + +"Position of the three islands? What islands? and how does it tell the +positions?" George was fairly frantic now. + +"There must be three islands, and one of them was the one I was on when +you found me, and one is here, because Mr. Varney told me about this +one, and then there is another, which you said was to the north +of,--of--" + +"Hutoton," said John. + +"Yes; Hutoton. But the positions! Yes; you will understand! One point is +the Southern Cross, near the South polar Circle, the second point is the +fixed star Antares, and the third is the fixed star Spica, which, +together form a perfect triangle, one limb of which passes through a +cluster of stars called the Compasses." + +"But what has that to do with the locations of the three islands?" + +"They are situated, with relation to each other, exactly the same as the +three stars are placed in the heavens." + +"What was the object of the three crosses before the star?" + +"The three represented thirty." + +"Thirty what?" + +"Leagues." + +"And the arrow?" + +"The direction from Spica." + +"Why from Spica?" + +"Because that star is the one which represents the island on which this +particular chart happens to be found." + +"Do you mean that a similar chart will be found on each island?" + +"No; on only two of them." + +The boys were astounded at this information. John and the Professor +remained quiet while the boys thus questioned Clifford. + +John interrupted to inquire why there were only two charts. + +"The record is found on the third." + +"So Wonder and Venture Islands are the only ones which have the +inscriptions on the skulls?" asked Harry. + +Clifford sat up with such a sudden start that the boys were alarmed. He +leaned forward, and hurriedly asked the following questions: "You say, +'Inscriptions on the skulls?' How do you know? and why do you say that +they are on Wonder and Venture Islands?" + +"Because we have two of them." + +He dropped back on the pillow, and reflected for some time, and then +slowly said: "But there must be three. One of them is still with the +records." + +"No; we have the one with the records." + +A smile illuminated his features, the tension was relaxed, and he +dropped back, and pressed his hands over his forehead, as he muttered: +"I am so glad, so glad, so glad," and his voice died down, and he +remained quiet, as though in sleep. + +The questioners sat there in silence, and watched him as he slept. The +Professor motioned them to withdraw, and they passed into the adjoining +room. + +"It is clear to me now," remarked John. "The knowledge of the record was +known to others, and I was not aware that any one besides ourselves +really had figured out the secret," remarked John, as he turned to the +Professor. + +"Well, I came pretty close to it," exclaimed Harry. "I told you that the +three X's meant thirty leagues." + +"So you did," said John. "Prior to the finding of the skull I did not +know of the full inscription. Its significance did not come to me until +we reached Venture Island." + +"I remember now! I told George that I saw the chart you had made." + +John smiled. "It would have deceived you, however." + +"Why?" asked Harry. + +"Because, if you remember it the third island was to the south of +Venture, and not to the north as we really found it." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +THE STORY OF THE LETTERED SKULL + + +It was late that afternoon when Clifford awoke, and plainly much, +refreshed, and improved physically. When he saw the Professor he said: +"I have not told you all, but I want the boys here for that purpose, +because I know it will interest them." + +When the boys arrived they awaited the coming of John, who informed them +that Uraso had received word of the capture of Walter, but that he would +not arrive until noon. + +Clifford greeted them effusively, and it was evident that he had +recovered his spirits, and was well on the road to recovery. After some +general talk on uninteresting topics, he began his story: + +"I was on the vessel with Ephraim when we ran into the monsoon which +wrecked the vessel. After days of suffering I became unconscious, and +when the spar finally reached the shore, I was aroused sufficiently to +save myself, and after wandering around for some time, came up to a +tribe of natives, who took good care of me. + +"I had no means of determining the latitude or longitude, because I was +then only about twenty years of age, and had shipped on the vessel at +Shanghai, because I was anxious to return home. I remained with the +people about three years, and they were called Osagas." + +"Why, this town is built in the Osagas' territory," said Harry. + +"That may be so, but it is enough for the present to know that it was +somewhere on this island that I reached the shore, and that about three +years thereafter I was fortunate enough to catch sight of a sailing +vessel, and on her I reached San Francisco. + +"In course of time I built up a profitable shipping business, and owned +several vessels engaged in the coast and Alaska trade. Like all shipping +men on the western coast, I learned of the many accounts, most of them +fables, concerning the treasures on the islands in the South Seas, but +they never had any effect on me until about three years ago, I had a +hand in furnishing the outfit for a vessel which departed on such a +mission, that sailed some time in December or January, of that year." + +"Do you know the name of the vessel?" asked John. + +"Yes; the _Juan Ferde_. Why do you ask?" + +"I sailed in that vessel with Blakely, one of the owners." + +"Blakely? Blakely, did you say? Why he is the man who purchased all the +provisions from me." + +"He is here on the island, and now has charge of all the business +matters connected with our venture." + +"Well, that is remarkable, indeed; but I must proceed. Four months after +the _Juan Ferde_ sailed, I came into contact with a peculiar character, +who had been all over the southern part of the universe, and he finally +interested me sufficiently to look over some peculiar documents which he +had, bearing on the subject of the lost treasures, and from the +information which he gave, it occurred to me that the location could not +be far from the island where I was cast ashore. + +"With a good business, and entirely free from all family entanglements, +I made up my mind that I would accompany him, and finance the +undertaking. What induced me more than anything else, was the fact that +the stories he told corresponded so nearly with the information which +Blakely gave me, although the latter did not go into many details, that +I looked on the venture in the nature of a lark. Besides I wanted to +meet my old friends on the island, and possibly induce them to gather +the products of the island for me. + +"We sailed about five months after the _Juan Ferde_ left, and had a +quick run to the island where it was supposed I had been left years +before. It seems that at the time I landed there the tribe was at war, +and we had a terrible time to get away from the people, who, of course, +did not remember me, even though the tribe was the same, but of this I +had no absolute knowledge at the time. + +"Two months after reaching the island, we sailed to the south, in order +to explore the second island, noted on the chart, and it was then that +the returning monsoon, which usually blows in the opposite direction +from the one of six months before, wrecked the vessel, and the next day +one of my companions and myself, who were so far as I then knew, the +only survivors, reached the southern shore of an island, where we saw +high mountains, so unlike those in the island where I was shipwrecked +years before." + +"While I think of it," remarked John, "how did you know about the second +island, to which you refer?" + +"I learned this from Walter." + +"Then did you know anything about the skull on the headland, and the +note which Walter left?" + +"I knew about the skull, but never heard of the note to which you refer. +The discovery of the skull was an accident, and I attached no importance +to it at the time. From the southern portion of the island we journeyed +along the eastern coast, to the north, skirting a large forest on the +way." + +The boys looked at each other, significantly, but he did not notice +this. + +"Then we reached a large river, and to our surprise, found a boat, +evidently of native manufacture, and with this floated down the stream +to the sea." + +"But where did you get the rope that we found in the boat?" asked +George, eagerly. + +He turned, and answered: "How did you know we put any rope on the boat?" + +"Because that was the boat we made, and we found it afterwards, with the +strange rope and oars." + +"Strange oars. I know nothing about them. We used the oars found in the +boat." + +"Did you get the boat near a large falls?" + +"Yes." + +"And on the north side of the river?" + +"Yes; but after we reached the sea, it was too rough, and the wind was +blowing too heavily from the north to make it safe to navigate in that +direction, so we went south, probably ten miles, and drew ashore. The +next morning when I awoke the boat and my companion were missing." + +"Who was your companion?" + +"Walter." + +John looked indignant, and expressed his opinion very forcibly, but +Clifford held up his hand, restrainingly. "Do not be too harsh. I have +no ill will toward him. I did not know what to do, nor which way to +turn, but went to the west, and before night, came, unexpectedly, on the +remains of a fire, which led me to believe that I would find friends in +the inhabitants. + +"I went on and on, and caught up with the band, and was then horrified +to find that they were having a feast, and sacrificing human beings. I +saw Walter among the captives, but I could not contrive to let him know +of my presence, and left the place as hurriedly as I could. + +"After a month of struggling I reached the southern part of the island, +and there, to my joy, found three of my companions on a life boat, +belonging to a vessel called the _Investigator_, and together we made a +course southeast, and there found the location of the second skull." + +"But you knew nothing of that at the time, did you?" + +"I did not know what the marks on the skull were for, but the finding of +the second one was sufficient to revive in me the hope that, after all, +the treasure might be found. One of the men, who was the intimate of +Walter, figured out the course to be taken, and we reached the island to +the north the second day. + +"There, to our surprise, we found Walter, and he charged one of the men +with me, with trying to secure the treasure, but I finally patched up +the matter, and we agreed to work in concert. Then, when the next day, +we found that Walter had lost the chart, we felt that it was a trick on +his part to deceive us, and we separated. At that time I did not believe +he told us the truth. + +"Two days afterwards we passed a party of natives, who were not aware of +our presence, and then we saw that Walter, and the man with him, had +been captured, and later believed that they had been killed. We searched +the island, to find the cave, but were unsuccessful and thinking that an +error might have been made, we concluded to sail for the island to the +south. + +"We found a tribe of natives when we landed, and owing to the exposure +and the trials we had gone through I was taken ill, and grew worse and +worse, and from that time on to the time I recovered two days ago, I had +not the slightest idea of what passed." + +"When I spoke against Walter a few moments ago," said John, "you said he +was not to blame. What did you mean by that?" + +"During my wanderings, I found parts of the chart, which, I assumed, had +been lost by John, and, probably, destroyed by the natives. The part I +recovered was of no value to me, but it entirely changed my opinion of +Walter." + +But Clifford's story left something to be told. It did not explain why +Walter tried to avoid meeting Clifford; or why he was so startled upon +seeing the two skulls, or the reason for avoiding the reference to the +letter to which his name was signed. + +The boys were so intensely interested in his story that they did not +notice the entrance of Blakely, who had brought Walter back, but when +Clifford saw Blakely there was immediate recognition. + +Clifford held out his hand to Walter, as he said: "I did wrong in +doubting you. I understand from the statement made by Ta Babeda, that +they found the chart the next day, after we met them, and that, of +course, clears you." + +"But I would like to know," said Harry, "what the other part of the +inscription on the skulls means?" + +"Do you refer to the sign of plus and the V?" + +"Yes." + +"When you went into the cave, where you found the copper box, how many +chambers did you pass before coming to the large room?" + +"I am not sure," he answered, "but I think four." + +"Yes; and the case was found in the fifth chamber. The Plus sign +indicated the cross-shaped cave, did it not?" + +"Yes, and there are several other things which interest me," remarked +George, gazing at John, as he continued: "Why should the inscriptions +have been marked on the skulls?" + +John slowly shook his head, as he looked at Clifford. The latter gazed +vacantly into space, as though reflecting, and finally said: "I do not +know." + +It will be remembered that when Walter entered the Professor's room, +where Clifford was lying, he appeared to be startled at the sight of +the skulls. The copper box which held one of them was in the adjoining +room. + +During the foregoing conversation Walter was mute, nor did he appear +interested in the question propounded by George. + +"It seems most curious to me that the skull taken from the copper box +has the inscription on the right side, whereas the other one has them on +the left side," observed Harry. + +John and George saw the immediate change in Walter's face while Harry +was speaking. His agitation was now plain to all, and the perspiration +began to appear on his forehead. + +John leaned forward as he said: "Do you know?" + +Walter started at the vehemence of the question, and threw back his +head, as he answered: "Did you find the copper box?" + +"Yes," responded John, with a look of triumph. + +Walter's features relaxed, and he seemed to sink down, as he gazed about +him with a final look of despair. + +"Then the quest is ended!" he muttered. + +"What do you mean? Explain!" demanded John. + +"When I began the search for the treasure of the caves, I was the owner +of the original document written by Juan Guiterez before he died in the +Spanish prison. Three attempts had been made to find the island, which +contained the secret, and that secret was in the copper box which told +of the places and the locations of the other caves. In each case the +quest failed, and all perished. The peculiar significance arises from +the fact that the only directions were given on a human skull by +Guiterez himself, who declared that two of the skulls would have the +inscriptions on the left side, while the one with the cryptic signs on +the right side would be accompanied by the descriptions of the locations +of all the Caves on the different islands." + +"But why should there be three skulls?" asked George, in great +eagerness. + +"There were three attempts, each resulting in death. The skull is +emblematic of death." + +"Will you tell us why you tried to avoid Clifford, and were startled at +the sight of the skulls?" asked John. + +"If, as you say, you have found the copper box, I have no further reason +to remain silent. I found one of the skulls,--the others I could not +find, one of which I knew must be in the treasure cave. If I had known +you found the one in the cave I should not have tried to get away, as I +hoped, finally, to find the cave. Since coming here I learned that you +had found the third island; I knew of only two, and supposed that the +two skulls were from those two, namely, Wonder and Venture Islands." + +"But who placed the skulls there?" queried Harry. + +"Ah! No one knows that. The Spaniard Guiterez offers no explanation. All +the so-called _treasure charts_ have been made from the accounts which +he gave, of the vast amount of gold and silver which is hidden in these +natural caches. The place where the copper box was deposited is the +grand mausoleum. Only those who know the secret could ever reach the +vault. All others would perish." + +"The carbonic gas!" exclaimed George. + +Walter turned to George, as he said this, but did not comprehend what he +meant. It was now evident that Walter had tried to conceal his identity, +and thereby hide the secret which would enable him alone to find the +vast wealth. + +"So the letter which we found concealed in the seat of our boat, was +written by one of your companions?" asked Harry. + +"Yes." + +"This clears up the mysterious things which we have tried to fathom for +over two years," said John. "The meaning of the letters is now clear." + +"From the time we landed on the island," rejoined the Professor, "we +found evidences of white people that we could not follow up, and it is +now plain that they were in search for the treasure, so we can now +comprehend what the notes meant." + +There is but little more to add to the chapter pertaining to the +experiences of the boys on the islands. Perhaps, at some time in the +future, their work on the new islands will be told. What John and the +boys found in the Copper box, the historical sketches and the locations +of the treasure islands which were pointed out on the parchments found +in the compartment below the skull, were amazing revelations of the days +of piratical adventures, when the southern half of the world was one +vast carnival of crime, in which gold was the only booty and to obtain +which the means were always considered to be justified by the end. + +Our young friends, during their experiences in southern waters, did +their part in bringing to the uneducated savages the blessings of +civilization and the great boon of peace. To themselves they brought a +store of hard-earned knowledge and a memory of things well done that +will last them to the end of their days. + +THE END + + * * * * * + + + + +THE BOY GLOBE TROTTERS + +By ELBERT FISHER + +_12mo, Cloth. Many Illustrations. 60c. per Volume_ + + * * * * * + +This is a series of four books relating the adventures of two boys, who +make a trip around the world, working their way as they go. They meet +with various peoples having strange habits and customs, and their +adventures form a medium for the introduction of much instructive matter +relative to the character and industries of the cities and countries +through which they pass. A description is given of the native sports of +boys in each of the foreign countries through which they travel. The +books are illustrated by decorative head and end pieces for each +chapter, there being 36 original drawings in each book, all by the +author, and four striking halftones. + +1. FROM NEW YORK TO THE GOLDEN GATE, takes in many of the principal +points between New York and California, and contains a highly +entertaining narrative of the boys' experiences overland and not a +little useful information. + +2. FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO JAPAN, relates the experiences of the two boys +at the Panama Exposition, and subsequently their journeyings to Hawaii, +Samoa and Japan. The greater portion of their time is spent at sea, and +a large amount of interesting information appears throughout the text. + +3. FROM TOKIO TO BOMBAY. This book covers their interesting experiences +in Japan, followed by sea voyages to the Philippines, Hong-kong and +finally to India. Their experiences with the natives cover a field +seldom touched upon in juvenile publications, as it relates to the great +Hyderabad region of South India. + +4. FROM INDIA TO THE WAR ZONE, describes their trip toward the Persian +Gulf. They go by way of the River Euphrates and pass the supposed site +of the Garden of Eden, and manage to connect themselves with a caravan +through the Great Syrian Desert. After traversing the Holy Land, where +they visit the Dead Sea, they arrive at the Mediterranean port of Joppa, +and their experiences thereafter within the war zone are fully +described. + + + + +THE "HOW-TO-DO-IT" BOOKS + +BY J. S. ZERBE + +CARPENTRY FOR BOYS + + +A book which treats, in a most practical and fascinating manner all +subjects pertaining to the "King of Trades"; showing the care and use of +tools; drawing; designing, and the laying out of work; the principles +involved in the building of various kinds of structures, and the +rudiments of architecture. It contains over two hundred and fifty +illustrations made especially for this work, and includes also a +complete glossary of the technical terms used in the art. The most +comprehensive volume on this subject ever published for boys. + + * * * * * + +ELECTRICITY FOR BOYS + +The author has adopted the unique plan of setting forth the fundamental +principles in each phase of the science, and practically applying the +work in the successive stages. It shows how the knowledge has been +developed, and the reasons for the various phenomena, without using +technical words so as to bring it within the compass of every boy. It +has a complete glossary of terms, and is illustrated with two hundred +original drawings. + + * * * * * + +PRACTICAL MECHANICS FOR BOYS + +This book takes the beginner through a comprehensive series of practical +shop work, in which the uses of tools, and the structure and handling of +shop machinery are set forth; how they are utilized to perform the work, +and the manner in which all dimensional work is carried out. Every +subject is illustrated, and model building explained. It contains a +glossary which comprises a new system of cross references, a feature +that will prove a welcome departure in explaining subjects. Fully +illustrated. + + * * * * * + +_12mo, cloth. Price 60 cents per volume_ + + + + +The Ethel Morton Books + +By MABELL S. C. SMITH + + * * * * * + +This series strikes a new note in the publication of books for girls. +Fascinating descriptions of the travels and amusing experiences of our +young friends are combined with a fund of information relating their +accomplishment of things every girl wishes to know. + +In reading the books a girl becomes acquainted with many of the +entertaining features of handcraft, elements of cooking, also of +swimming, boating and similar pastimes. This information is so imparted +as to hold the interest throughout. Many of the subjects treated are +illustrated by halftones and line engravings throughout the text. + +LIST OF TITLES + + ETHEL MORTON AT CHAUTAUQUA + ETHEL MORTON AND THE CHRISTMAS SHIP + ETHEL MORTON'S HOLIDAYS + ETHEL MORTON AT ROSE HOUSE + ETHEL MORTON'S ENTERPRISE + ETHEL MORTON AT SWEET BRIER LODGE + +_Price 60 cents per volume; postpaid_ + + + + +The Mountain Boys Series + + +1. PHIL BRADLEY'S MOUNTAIN BOYS + +2. PHIL BRADLEY AT THE WHEEL + +3. PHIL BRADLEY'S SHOOTING BOX + +4. PHIL BRADLEY'S SNOW-SHOE TRAIL + +These books describe with interesting detail the experiences of a party +of boys among the mountain pines. + +They teach the young reader how to protect himself against the elements, +what to do and what to avoid, and above all to become self-reliant and +manly. + + +_12mo. * * * Cloth._ + +_40 cents per volume; postpaid_ + + + + +THE HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUTS + +A SERIES OF BOOKS FOR BOYS + +By Capt. Alain Douglas, Scout-master + + * * * * * + +THE CAMPFIRES OF THE WOLF PATROL + +Their first camping experience affords the scouts splendid opportunities +to use their recently acquired knowledge in a practical way. Elmer +Chenoweth, a lad from the northwest woods, astonishes everyone by his +familiarity with camp life. A clean, wholesome story every boy should +read. + +WOODCRAFT; OR, HOW A PATROL LEADER MADE GOOD + +This tale presents many stirring situations in which the boys are called +upon to exercise ingenuity and unselfishness. A story filled with +healthful excitement. + +PATHFINDER; OR, THE MISSING TENDERFOOT + +Some mysteries are cleared up in a most unexpected way, greatly to the +credit of our young friends. A variety of incidents follow fast, one +after the other. + +FAST NINE; OR, A CHALLENGE FROM FAIRFIELD + +They show the same team-work here as when in camp. The description of +the final game with the team of a rival town, and the outcome thereof, +form a stirring narrative. One of the best baseball stories of recent +years. + +GREAT HIKE; OR, THE PRIDE OF THE KHAKI TROOP + +After weeks of preparation the scouts start out on their greatest +undertaking. Their march takes them far from home, and the good-natured +rivalry of the different patrols furnishes many interesting and amusing +situations. + +ENDURANCE TEST; OR, HOW CLEAR GRIT WON THE DAY + +Few stories "get" us more than illustrations of pluck in the face of +apparent failure. Our heroes show the stuff they are made of and +surprise their most ardent admirers. One of the best stories Captain +Douglas has written. + +UNDER CANVAS; OR, THE HUNT FOR THE CARTARET GHOST + +It was hard to disbelieve the evidence of their eyes but the boys by the +exercise of common-sense solved a mystery which had long puzzled older +heads. + +STORM-BOUND; OR, A VACATION AMONG THE SNOW DRIFTS + +The boys start out on the wrong track, but their scout training comes to +the rescue and their experience proves beneficial to all concerned. + + * * * * * + +BOY SCOUT NATURE LORE TO BE FOUND IN THE HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUT SERIES, +ALL ILLUSTRATED:-- + +Wild Animals of the United States--Tracking--Trees and Wild Flowers of +the United States--Reptiles of the United States--Fishes of the United +States--Insects of the United States and Birds of the United States. + + * * * * * + +_Cloth Binding Cover Illustrations in Four Colors 40c. Per Volume_ + + + + +The Campfire and Trail Series + + +1. IN CAMP ON THE BIG SUNFLOWER. + +2. THE RIVALS OF THE TRAIL. + +3. THE STRANGE CABIN ON CATAMOUNT ISLAND. + +4. LOST IN THE GREAT DISMAL SWAMP. + +5. WITH TRAPPER JIM IN THE NORTH WOODS. + +6. CAUGHT IN A FOREST FIRE. + +7. CHUMS OF THE CAMPFIRE. + +8. AFLOAT ON THE FLOOD. + +By LAWRENCE J. LESLIE. + +A series of wholesome stories for boys told in an interesting way and +appealing to their love of the open. + +_Each, 12mo. Cloth. 40 cents per volume_ + + + + +Christy Mathewson's Book + +[Illustration: "WON IN THE NINTH"] + +_A Ripping Good Baseball Story by One Who Knows the Game_ + +This book has attained a larger sale than any baseball story ever +published. + +The narrative deals with the students of a large university and their +baseball team, the members of which have names which enable the reader +to recognize them as some of the foremost baseball stars of the day +before their entrance into the major leagues. + +One gains a very clear idea of "inside baseball" stripped of wearisome +technicalities. The book is profusely illustrated throughout and +contains also a number of plates showing the manner in which Mathewson +throws his deceptive curves, together with brief description of each. + +_Cloth bound 5-1/2 x 7-5/8 Price 60c. per volume_ + + * * * * * + + +Mrs. Meade's Books for Girls + +Primrose Edition + + * * * * * + +Printed on fine quality book paper. Separate cover designs in colors. + +Daddy's Girl. +A Girl from America. +Sue, a Little Heroine. +The School Queens. +Wild Kitty. +A Sweet Girl Graduate. +A World of Girls. +Polly--A New-Fashioned Girl. + + * * * * * + +_Each, 12mo. Cloth. 40 cents per volume_ + + * * * * * + +Mrs. Meade's girls' books never lose their popularity. + + + + +ECONOMICAL COOKING + +_Primrose Edition_ + +_Planned for Two or More Persons_ + +By + +MISS WINIFRED S. GIBBS + +Dietitian and Teacher of Cooking of the New York Association for +Improving the Condition of the Poor + +_Printed on Fine Quality Book Paper. 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The book is replete with illustrations and tables of +food compositions--the latter taken from the latest Government +statistics. + +_Cloth Binding Illustrated 40c. per volume, postpaid_ + + + + +CUT-OUT AND PAINT BOOKS + +[Illustration] + +An original line of art studies printed in full rich colors on high +grade paper. This series introduces many novel features of interest, and +as the subject matters have been selected with unusual care, the books +make a strong appeal not only to the little ones but even to those of +riper years. + +POST CARDS _Painting Book_ + +DOLLS OF ALL NATIONS _Scissors Book_ + +OUR ARMY _Scissors Book_ + +CHILDREN'S PETS _Puzzle Book_ + + +_Size 8-1/4 x 10-1/4 inches_ + +PRICE 15C. 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