Produced by Joe Longo and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS
BY ROGER T. FINLAY
Thrilling adventures by sea and land of two boys and an aged Professor
who are cast away on an island with absolutely nothing but their
clothing. By gradual and natural stages they succeed in constructing all
forms of devices used in the mechanical arts and learn the scientific
theories involved in every walk of life. These subjects are all treated
in an incidental and natural way in the progress of events, from the
most fundamental standpoint without technicalities, and include every
department of knowledge. Numerous illustrations accompany the text.
Two thousand things every boy ought to know. Every page
a romance. Every line a fact.
* * * * *
_Six titles--60 cents per volume_
* * * * *
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
PUBLISHED BY
THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
147 Fourth Avenue New York
THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS
* * * * *
THE TRIBESMEN
[Illustration: "_He poised his spear as he raised himself out of the
water_" [See p. 144]]
THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS
THE TRIBESMEN
BY
ROGER T. FINLAY
ILLUSTRATED
[Illustration]
THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
NEW YORK
COPYRIGHT, 1914, BY
THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
CONTENTS
I. THE FIRST OF THE TRIBESMEN
The first view of the savages. Excitement in their camp. The
story of the boys. What they had accomplished. Their home at
the Cataract. The fifth expedition. In the savages' country.
Some of the mysterious events. "Angel" one of the party. The
dense forest. The fight between the two tribes. Going closer
to the battle ground. The wagon as a means of defense. Taking
position on the shore of a stream. The defeated party
retreating toward the wagon. Close view of the natives. The
defeated tribe taking up position behind the wagon. The
victorious party attacking the wagon. Repelling the charge.
The fight witnessed by the defeated tribe.
II. TWO SAVAGE ATTACKS
Their two foes. Preparing for the night. Poisoned arrows.
Clearing away the brush. Angel restless during the night.
John's adventure as a scout. The shot in the darkness. The
result. John's second scouting expedition. Return of the
warriors. The arrow and the cap. The reappearance. The volley.
The slain warriors. The trophies. The different headdresses.
How tribes are distinguished. Determine to go forward.
Trinkets of civilized people found on the battlefield. Camp
the second night. Angel discerns the approach of a band. The
Professor tries to establish communications. Failure. A
position of defense. The attack and repulse. The second
volley. Charging the savages. Capture of a wounded chief and a
warrior. Treating the wounds. The chief advising his men not
to attack.
III. A THIRD ATTACKING TRIBE
Difficulty in communicating with the chief. Examining the
chief's pockets. Finding a photograph of George and Harry.
Hunting the pockets of the slain warriors. The match box.
John's startled look. The monogram. Human hair. Its part in
ornamentation. Scalps. Customs connected with human hair.
Going forward. Surrounded by the warriors. The running fight.
The yaks beyond control. The flight. The savages trying to
outflank them. Warriors on all sides. The river in sight. A
tributary to the West River. Getting the yaks under control.
The wounded animals. Heading for a peninsula. The mute
captive. The siege. Instilling fear. Learning the chief did
not belong to the attacking party. Consternation on
discovering that the attacking party did not belong to either
of the parties who first attacked them.
IV. THE ESCAPE. ENCOUNTERING ANOTHER HOSTILE TRIBE
War among the natives. John's ability with the gun. Cooped up
in the peninsula. Recollection in animals. A dual self.
Memory. No attack during the night. The savage attempt to
starve them out. Planning to escape. Determine to build a
raft. John and Harry's night adventure after material.
Crossing the tributary to the north. Bringing in logs. The
structure to imitate the wagon. Driving the team into the
river. Floating the logs under the wagon. Crossing the stream.
A safe passage. A good retreat. How the ruse affected the
natives. The amused captive chief. Starting northward. The
disapproval of the chief. Viewing a fight between tribes.
Short of ammunition. An unexpected native village. The
startled warriors. Attacked by the natives.
V. THE RESCUE OF THE CAPTIVE BOYS
The fight. Defeat of the savages. Charging them through the
village. The large hut. A cry from within. American boys
captive. Their own companions. Weak and hungry. Taken to the
wagon. Their terrible condition. The return of the savages.
Feeding the famished boys. The second attack. The flanking
parties. The first volley. Retreating toward the river.
Followed by the warriors. Outwitting the enemy. Flight of the
wagon to the hill. A peculiar rock formation. Discovery of a
cave. Peculiar actions of John and the Professor. Their advice
to go on. A hurried trip to the river. Arranging the weapon
for defense. Fearing a night attack.
VI. THE TALE OF THE RESCUED BOYS
Ralph and Tom. Cast ashore in the north of the island. Meeting
a band of savages with a captive. Poison berries. Sickness.
Hunting food. Captured by a tribe of natives. Peculiarities of
the native headdresses. Taken to the mountains. Escaped.
Recaptured by another tribe. Sacrificing prisoners. The round
silver match box. Savage charms. Kindly treated by the second
tribe. The second escape. Hunting food. Starving. Trying to go
back to the tribe. The mistake in going to the wrong tribe.
How boldness saved them. The watch in possession of the chief.
The initials J. L. V. Treated like brothers. Captured by
another tribe in a fight. Their last captors.
VII. THE ESCAPE IN THE NIGHT
John's search in the night. Return. Indicating by signs that
no savages were in sight. Continuing their flight in the
night. The course along the bed of the stream. John in the
advance pushes through the underbrush. By motions indicates
the possibilities of crossing the river. Finding driftwood.
The raft. The launching of the wagon. Camping on the opposite
side. Watching the savages. Deep streams. Shallow water
courses. Savage strategy. Hunting for food. Coffee and corned
beef. Woodchuck and pheasants. Discussing the wounded chief.
Conclude to take him to Cataract. Taking up the march for
home. Finding the direction of the south pole. The Dog Star
Sirius.
VIII. THE CATARACT AND ITS MARVELS
The tramp through the forest. Wonderful effect on the rescued
boys. New fruit and vegetables. The rubber tree. Carricature
plant. Sighting Observation Hill. The Old Flag. The change in
John. Angel happy. The visit of the boys to the shop. The
rambles about the place. A wonderful stimulus. Angel turning
the grindstone. Appreciation. The Professor's encomium.
Rearranging their quarters. Putting up new buildings. The
barley thief. Making bread. The chief at Cataract. Crutches.
The novelty to him. Learning to walk. His amazement at the
workshop. Trying to talk. Threshing barley. The grist mill.
The home-made violin. Dancing. A religious ceremony. Different
national customs in dancing.
IX. THE WORK AT THE CATARACT. MAKING WEAPONS.
Dividing the work. Hunting vegetables. Securing game.
Cultivating the garden. Making clothing. Footwear. John making
lasts. Ramie fiber. Preparing more weapons. Angel's new suit.
New ores and minerals. Cinnabar. Quicksilver. Poisons from
mercury. The boys' trip to Observation Hill. Angel's gun. The
talk of the boys. Desire to survey the island. Telling the
rescued boys their story. Savage traits concerning property.
Locks. Doing work on holidays. Recreation. The instruments for
surveying. The boathouse. Chief and the spear. His dexterity.
How the chief held the spear. The chief and the bolo.
X. UNAWARES IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY.
Observing the heavens. Degrees and what they mean. Angles.
Calculating position by the stars. The moon as a factor by
night. The fixed stars in the moon's path. Determine to
recover the wrecked boat. The boys inaugurate the trip. A
jolly lark. Through the forest. The alarm in the night. The
attack of an animal. Missed. Sighting the West River.
Miscalculation. Discovering their former tracks. In the
savages' country. The chatter of Angel in the trees. The
alarm. Savages. Eluding them. Escaping to the north.
Discovered by the natives. The pursuit.
XI. THE RUSE TO ESCAPE THEIR PURSUERS
Preparing for defense. Appearance of the savages. The charge.
Repelling the attack. Driving the team ahead. Harry and Tom as
rear guards. Harry's injunction to force the team on rapidly.
The warriors. Turning to the east. Eluding the enemy. The rush
for the river. Crossing. The savages at the river.
Reinforcement of the pursuing party. The ruse leaving the
river. Hiding the wagon. Returning to the river. The two
warriors swimming the river. Their surprise. Their effort to
escape. Recognizing the savages as the captors of the boys.
Consternation in the camp of the enemy. Determining to recross
the river. The flight to the north. Recrossing. Return home.
XII. THE PROBLEM ABOUT THE CAVE
Their happy reception at the Cataract. Why their observations
of the moon led them astray. Distinguishing fixed stars. How
Angel fought the savages. Individuality. The chief an enigma.
How he used the grindstone. His interest in machinery. The
yardstick of the heavens to measure degrees. The Constellation
Orion. The new calf. Milk and butter. The mysterious visit of
the chief to the clay banks. Eating clay. Observations by
Ralph and Tom. The clay eaters of the world. The cave and the
treasure. The Professor refuses to take a share of it.
Determination of the boys. Harry and George go to the cave. Go
back for Ralph and Tom.
XIII. THE ACCIDENT TO JOHN AND THE RESTORATION OF MEMORY
An island of abundance. Nuts and vegetables. Oils for
illumination. Unripe fruit. How nature protects her products.
Eggs. How good and bad are determined. Gases formed within the
shell. Building an addition to their home. Putting up the new
building. The accident to John. A terrible wound in the head.
Chief's solicitude for John. Watching the results of the
injury. The human traits in the chief. Danger point of the
fever. The wonderful difference in his eye. Recovers memory. A
deep sleep. His first words. Aphasia. The brain center. His
initials J. L. V. on the match safe. Recognizing the chief.
XIV. JOHN'S WONDERFUL STORY
Native of New England. Ran away to sea. Fortunately fell into
hands of a humane captain. Became chief clerk. Learned
navigation. The captain's interest in him. The return. The
meeting with the captain's daughter. The wedding. Sailing east
with his wife in the captain's vessel. A plague-infected port.
Death of his wife. Leaving the accursed port. Death of the
captain. Disposing of the ship. Travels through India. Enlists
at Gibraltar. Serves in Matabela campaign. Goes to England. Is
tutor to a Lord. Goes to Greece. Serves in two campaigns.
Returns to New York. Enlists for campaign against Indians.
Five years' service. Goes to Egypt to conduct explorations.
Returns fever-ridden. Accepts Professorship. Signs as
Professor in the schoolship _Investigator_. Sickness prevents
his sailing. Wanders to San Francisco. Engages with friends to
search South Sea Islands for treasures. Shipwrecked. Finding a
cave. Captured by savages. Escapes. Meets with an accident.
Loses all memory.
XV. CHIEF AND THE POISON PLANT
How John's story impressed them. How the boys entertained John
with the stories of their adventures. The story of the yaks.
John tells them how they could have controlled them with the
different knots and hitches. The spectroscope. Light as a
medium. The composition of the heavenly bodies. The solar
spectrum. The boys remember John's story of the cave. His
story confirming their knowledge about the savages. The
concert with the flute and violin. Making glass for windows.
Silver and mercury. Looking-glasses. Amalgam. Making small
glass mirrors for the inhabitants. The chief's surprise at the
mirrors. His contribution to the larder. The Amarylla. The
poison plant. The boys' suspicions of the chief. Good for
food. Stomach or blood poisons.
XVI. A SURPRISING TRIP TO THE CAVE
Completion of the house. Furnishing it. The chief recovers
health. Showing John the message from the lifeboat. "Waters"
one of his crew. The mystery of the photograph. Information
that others of the ill-fated _Investigator_ were on the
island. Reasons why certain tribes sacrificed white captives.
A new expedition planned. Determine to go overland. Making new
guns. Ammunition. The boys invite Ralph and Tom to visit the
cave. The surprise of the boys at the skeletons and the
treasure. Exploring the cave. A terrific roar. Alarmed.
Determine to investigate. Finding the Professor and John. The
surprise party.
XVII. THE WONDERFUL PORTABLE FORT
The boys ask John about his wonderful cave. The charted
treasure caves. Seeing the treasure in the cave on the hill
where the boys were rescued. An occupied cave. The medicine
men. The two entrances and the cross-shaped interior. How the
hoards were acquired. Piracy on the high seas. The gold and
silver of the world. The precious metals taken to Europe by
the Spaniards. Rushing work on the preparations. The gun
barrels. Chief showing the boys how to make and use the bows.
The disappearance of chief. The invention of a portable fort.
How it was made. Stocking the wagon. Experimenting with the
fort. Necessity as the mother of invention. The improvements
in the fort. A new suggestion. Using the fort as a raft.
XVIII. TRAILING A WARRING PARTY OF NATIVES
Weight and gravity. Acting in all directions. Proving the law
of universal gravitation. Drilling with the raft equipment.
Grinding barley flour. Making sleeping mattresses. The bustle
of final preparations. The good-by to their herd of yaks. The
march to the falls. John discovers a log in the drift and a
rope. The dense forest. Crossing the river to the south.
Finding a camp fire with fresh bones. Numerous traces of
inhabitants. A glowing fire. Following the trail. Trying to
catch them before night. Efforts to capture one as a means of
opening communication. Sighting the camp. Hurried
consultation. Surrounding the camp of the natives.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
"He poised his spear as he raised himself out of the water"
Frontispiece
"The main body of the savages broke for cover, but several,
more venturesome than the rest, sought to carry away
the chief"
"'Come out into the light,' and Harry and George each put
his arms around one of the boys"
"He started back in fright as his own image appeared to him"
The First Boat
The Match Safe
Scene of the Fight on the River
The Wagon Raft
Savage's Hut
Deep Stream
Shallow Stream
Salsify
Rubber
Carricature Plant
Angel, His New Suit and Gun
Poising the Spear
Northern Hemisphere (Stellar Map)
Southern Hemisphere (Stellar Map)
Testing Eggs
Rope Knots
Rope Hitches
The Color Spectrum
Amarylla, Chief's Poison Vegetable
The Portable Fort
Gravitational Pull
Using the Fort as a Raft
THE TRIBESMEN
CHAPTER I
THE FIRST OF THE TRIBESMEN
"They seem to be terribly excited about something, and many of them are
running back and forth," said Harry, from his perch on the wagon top.
George made his way back again in time to see a half dozen of the
savages dart off into the bush to the left. They were from two to three
miles distant when first discovered, so that it was difficult to make
out their movements distinctly.
The Professor could not see them clearly, so that he also took a
position on the top of the wagon. "Do you see any movement to the left
of their camp?"
After gazing a while, Harry answered: "It seems that another party is
coming up." In a moment more he continued: "Yes, and they appear to be
waiting in ambush for them."
George Mayfield and Harry Crandall, together with an aged Professor, had
been wrecked on an island, one year before the opening event in this
chapter. They were attached to a ship training school that met with
disaster in mid-Pacific, and when cast ashore had nothing whatever
except the clothing they wore.
By extraordinary energy they began an investigation of the surroundings
and discovered many things which not only excited their intense
curiosity, but learned that the island was inhabited by one or more
tribes of savages. In this helpless state, with no means of defense, and
compelled to depend on nature for a supply of food and clothing, they
were truly in a pitiful state.
The Professor was a man of profound learning, and knowing that such a
condition must be met in a manner which would enable them to cope with
the situation, gradually turned the attention of the boys to producing
things of use, first making the articles most needed in their
impoverished condition, and afterwards adding some wonderful things
which enabled them to become bold enough to attempt the exploration of
the island.
A brief review of the situation was this: The first consideration was
food. A number of vegetables were found, some of them well known, but in
a wild state, as well as nuts and fruit. Barley was one of the cereals
early discovered, and from that bread was made. Then ramie, a well-known
fiber, was found in the early days of their occupation, as well as flax,
and a wild species of hemp.
They were surprised to find various ores, clay and slate, and with these
began a series of experimental work which was wonderful in its
character, as every part of the work had to be carried on with the most
primitive sort of tools and appliances.
Among the first adventures in the field of making the useful necessities
was the construction of a water wheel; the building of a sawmill, from
which lumber was turned out to make their dwelling; a loom was put up
which enabled them to weave clothing; and, finally, a wagon, which arose
from the desire to utilize a herd of yaks, which they succeeded in
capturing.
Before the present adventure a number of useful articles and tools had
been made, among which might be mentioned a lathe, a foundry, in which
they turned out articles in iron and brass, and this gave them an
opportunity to make first a few pistols, and lastly, several guns, with
which the present expedition was equipped.
All these things interested the boys, and they took delight in every
part of it, and it gave them satisfaction to see the results of their
work on every hand. But that which attracted them more intensely were
the series of exploits which brought to light the hidden mysteries of
the island, and which caused them to name it "Wonder Island."
Four exploring trips had been made by land, and one by sea in a boat
which had been specially built for the purpose, and this vessel was
wrecked shortly after they had discovered the location of the savages.
In the previous expeditions they saw mysterious lights, and had
evidences of human beings by the camp fires used by them.
The first crude boat turned out was left at the foot of a high falls in
a river to the south of their home, and after the return the boys set
out to get the boat. It was missing, and recovered several months
afterwards, but to their surprise, when found, it had two oars and rope
that were placed there by some one.
On returning from one of the trips their flagpole and staff, which was
put up on a high point, called Observation Hill, was missing. Later on a
gruesome skeleton was found on the seashore not far from Observation
Hill, and the wrecked portions of a boat, and to this may be added the
discovery of a lifeboat, similar to their own, among debris on South
river, fully ten miles inland, which must have come from the interior.
[Illustration: _Fig. 1. The First Boat._]
In this boat was found, accidentally, a note written by a captive in
distress, showing that some of the party had been taken by the
inhabitants of the island, and this occurrence determined them the more
to put themselves in condition to aid the captives.
The last important development grew out of the finding of a cave, or a
series of caverns, not far from their home, which contained numerous
skeletons and a vast amount of treasure, showing that it was a pirates'
cave, but up to this time it had not been fully investigated in view of
the more serious need of haste to relieve those who were in the hands of
the savages.
Shortly before leaving on the present expedition, and after returning
from the expedition by sea, which had wrecked the boat, they were
surprised to find a man at their home, who had entirely lost his memory.
This happened six weeks before the occurrence in the opening page, and
during that time he had not uttered a single word, and seemed to be
entirely unconscious of his surroundings.
He was evidently a cultured man, but how he came to the island, or in
what manner his faculties were lost, they could get no clue. He had
proven himself to be harmless, and in many ways he was of great service
to them, and was now with the party, this being the fifth day of the
journey, and the distance from their home was from sixty to seventy
miles.
It should not be forgotten to mention Red Angel. Over eight months
before a baby orang-outan had been captured. He had grown rapidly, and
George, the elder of the two boys, had taken a special delight in
teaching or training him, and the result was that the imitative quality
of the animal made him useful to the party in many ways. Angel was with
them also, and was the only amusing element in their days of stress and
tension.
The condition before them at this time was one of intense interest. For
the first time since their arrival, savages had been seen. From the
first view it was apparent that the party sighted were on the point of
meeting a hostile tribe, and while it was their intention to journey
west to the large stream called by them West River, it was concluded to
remain at the present camping place until they could more fully observe
the attitude of the natives.
During two days previous the route had been through a dense forest, and
they emerged from this only a few hours before, their object being to
make their way to the river, as in the vicinity of the stream there was
not much wood, and the land was covered with comparatively little
underbrush. They felt that with the strongly built wagon, which had been
purposely made with a large, thick body, it would be more serviceable to
them as a means of defense than the woods, because the forest would
serve as places of concealment for their enemies, while adding nothing
to their security.
The strange man, who, in the absence of his true name, was called John,
noting the different ones climbing to the wagon top, also made his way
there, and gazed in the direction pointed out by Harry. He glanced
toward the savages, and then looked wonderingly at the boys and the
Professor. He did not appear at all disturbed, nor did he venture to
indicate by any sign that he understood or comprehended any danger.
And Angel, too, took a hand in the sights. He was beside George, and the
latter pointed out the savages, but if he knew what George meant his
face and actions did not show it. How little we know of the workings of
the human mind, and how should we know more of what passed in the mind
of that animal as he listlessly viewed the scene which so much
interested the others? We shall see, later on, how Angel profited by the
lesson which they tried to teach him.
"They seem to be fighting; at any rate, I can see them going toward each
other, and others running wildly about."
"Our better plan would be," said the Professor, "to go up nearer. In
that way we may be able to take advantage of their quarrel."
This seemed to appeal to the boys, and they were down instantly. The
yaks had been unyoked, prior to this, but they were now hitched up in a
hurried manner, and the wagon moved forward.
A word now as to the equipment of the wagon. It had been made with
unusually high sides, and was of thick boards, so that they did not fear
the arrows which, undoubtedly, were the only form of missiles which
would be hurled against them. Within were ten guns, each with a barrel
twenty inches long, and a three-eighths of an inch bore. All were
muzzle-loaders, as they had no facilities for making breech-loaders, so
that it would be impossible to fire rapidly, after the first ten shots;
but they counted on being able to hold out against a pretty strong force
of savages, armed as they were.
The wagon went forward slowly, and was kept as much as possible within
the sheltering range of the underbrush. All were in the vehicle, as its
height gave them a better view, and in case of a surprise all would be
guarded and safe.
It was somewhat of a relief to note that directly ahead of them was a
small stream, one of the tributaries of the West, and before reaching
the open area near the river, the Professor directed the wagon toward a
clump of brush, behind which the yaks were tethered.
They were thus in a position where they had an ample water supply, and
the Professor remarked, that in campaigning two things were essential,
one was food and the other water, and of the two water was of most value
for a short period, at least. The yaks needed it, and as that was their
means of transportation, every consideration must be given them.
"As we are now campaigning in earnest, we must have some system, and a
thorough understanding of what is to be done," said the Professor. "A
thorough watch must be kept at all times day and night. We must not
separate, but keep closely together, and in watching just as much care
must be taken of our rear and our flanks. We do not know from which
direction these people are likely to spring up. Remember, from our
experiences night before last, this is territory over which they
travel."
It should be stated that in the night referred to a band of the savages
had passed their camp, going in the direction in which the wagon had
taken, and they were of the impression that those discovered to the
south of the stream were the ones who had come so near finding them.
"There is also another matter that should be considered. While we do not
anticipate any disaster to our party, still we should at all times make
provision for any separation, should such a thing take place. I estimate
that we are now directly south of the mouth of West River, and that the
sea to the north is from fifteen to twenty miles away. Now, let it be
understood that in case we are defeated, or by any chance there should
be any separation, the place of retreat will be toward the location of
the wrecked boat, which is near the mouth of the river."
The great difficulty was to impart this to John. He was interested, in a
peculiar sort of way, in the proceedings, and the Professor undertook to
make the situation, as just explained, clear to him. For this purpose he
made a chart to show the tributary stream on which they were encamped,
flowing into the West River, and its course to the sea, and by pointing
out the spot to the west of the river mouth, where the wrecked boat was
landed, he hoped the course could be fully understood. This explanation
seemed to be comprehended by him, but of this there could be no
assurance.
Meanwhile they had not for a moment forgotten to keep in sight the
warring factions, for now that they were much closer the character of
the meeting could not be misunderstood.
"Look at them," cried George; "the other tribe seems to be victorious.
They are coming this way." Such seemed to be the case. The retreating
forces were coming directly toward the wagon, and the situation now
began to take on a very grave aspect.
"What shall we do, Professor, if they come on to us?"
"We are here on a peaceful mission, and should fight only in
self-defense," was his reply. This did not exactly suit the spirit of
the boys, but they deferred to the wisdom of their friend.
It was plain that the tribe first seen was defeated and was being driven
back to the river, and the Professor advised them to prepare for any
emergency. The camp was not more than one hundred and fifty feet from
the edge of the river, and they had a plain, open view before them.
Beyond the river was a bare shore, the shrubbery did not grow near the
water, so that there was an open space of fully three hundred feet or
more on the other shore, thus giving them ample time to note and act,
whatever the circumstances might be. The Professor hoped that the
pursued might deviate from their path and bring them to the river below
their camp, but in this he was disappointed, as the first of the savages
made his appearance from the brush directly across the river, soon
followed by a dozen or more, all in precipitous retreat.
They now had the first close view of the savages. They were almost
wholly naked, and had more the appearance of the North American Indians
than of the South Sea Islanders, which their fancy had pictured them to
be. Each carried a short spear and a bow, and the Professor called
attention to the apparent lack of arrows, as the bows were strung on
their backs, and they carried the spears as though they depended on them
for protection.
"I think they have been beaten because they are out of ammunition. It
will not take them long, however, to make up a supply, and it is
possible that is what they purpose doing."
The victorious party now came in view. Without waiting the defeated
party dashed through the stream not two hundred feet below the wagon,
and before they had fairly landed, espied the wagon. The surprise at
seeing it was almost paralyzing to them for the instant. They sheered
off down the stream, gesticulating wildly.
The pursuers crossed the stream higher up, and, therefore, nearer the
wagon. "Watch the party which has just crossed, so we can see what their
course will be."
"They are circling around behind us."
As they did so the victors emerged from the stream and made direct
toward the location of the Professor and his party. Here was a situation
not counted on. The wise savages had calculated on this chance to arrest
the pursuers, and they showed wisdom in the move.
"Now, boys, we must stop them, but do not shoot to kill at the first
shot. Before anything is done I will try to stop them by peaceful
methods."
The Professor, with a gun in his hand, suddenly stepped out from the
brush, and held up a hand. It may well be imagined that an apparition
was as startling to them as it had been to the others. They stopped for
a moment, and then with a whoop, fitted arrows to their bows, and
darted forward. The Professor stepped back, and calmly said: "Now, boys,
shoot low, and don't get excited."
At the word, and before the savages had gone twenty feet, the boys and
John leveled their pieces, and a volley rang out. Several were seen to
fall, but were only wounded, as they were at once taken in charge by
their companions. The moment the first round was fired, the Professor
ordered the relay guns to be grasped. But the savages, stunned by this
change of affairs, did not wait for the second shot, but rushed back to
the stream as fast as they could go, with the three wounded men.
But where were the other savages? Had they seen the result of the fight?
The Professor hoped that the result would be such as to win them over.
They lurked at a distance beyond the wagon, and as the Professor
advanced toward them and held up a hand, they continued to retreat. He
beckoned to them; but in spite of all efforts they refused to come
near.