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
CAPTURE AND PURSUIT
[Illustration: “_The warriors approached unsuspectingly_”
[See p. 53]
]
THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS
CAPTURE AND PURSUIT
BY
ROGER T. FINLAY
ILLUSTRATED
[Illustration]
THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
NEW YORK
COPYRIGHT, 1914, BY
THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
CONTENTS
I. THE FIGHT AT THE SAVAGES’ CAMP.....Page 11
The reappearance of Harry in excitement. Explaining the situation
hurriedly. The arrival of a new band. Putting the wagon in position
to resist attack. Absence of John and George. The warning from the
Professor. The shot west of the camp. John and George circling the
camp. Unexpected meeting with the warriors. The pursuit. The second
band from the north. The Professor scouting to the north of the camp.
Discovers the approach of reinforcements. The flight of George and
John. Reaching the wagon. Searching for the Professor. Concentration
of various tribes. Discovering the wagon. Preparing for attack. The
absence of John and the Professor. The boys’ ruse. The attack and
repulse. John and the Professor approach the wagon. After the attack.
Taking a hand. Results of the fight.
II. THE RECONNOITERING SEAT IN THE TREE.....Page 23
Bringing in the wounded warriors. Ascertaining that the savages knew of
their home at the Cataract. First noticing the different headdresses.
Distinguishing the different tribes. The curly hair. The Kurabus. The
Saboros. The Tuolos who captured Ralph and Tom. The savages temporarily
disappear. Waiting for reinforcements. Determined to resist. In the
morning. Surrounded. The interview with the wounded captive. No attack
during the day. Determine to reach the river. The escape in the night.
Discovered. Difficulty in moving through the brush. Sighting a small
stream. Erecting the fort. Awaiting the attack. A trinket. The blue
stone talisman. Angel reconnoitering. The adjacent tree. How he made a
seat for George. The rope ladder. Making observations.
III. THE MIDNIGHT RETURN TO DEFEND CATARACT.....Page 34
A view of the besiegers. Angel’s gun. The surprise of the savages at
Angel’s antics with the gun. Two tribes. The Saboros and Kurabus. Ralph
and George as tree pickets. Symptoms of blood poisoning in the captive.
Inflammation. Septic poisons. Infection. Toxins. Causes of fever.
Chills. John’s midnight maneuver. A shot. Excitement in the native
camps. The noises coming nearer. John appears in native garb. His
story. Encouraging strife between the besieging tribes. Hostilities.
The fight. The Kurabus defeated. Cut off. Retreating to the north. Fear
they will go to the Cataract. Reinforcements for the Kurabus. Discover
the wagon. Learn of the fight with the Saboros. Determine to return and
defend Cataract. The midnight march.
IV. THE ATTACK ON CATARACT.....Page 46
Avoiding the warriors. Crossing the stream. The march through the
forest. Sighting Cataract. No natives in sight. Cataract home intact.
Concealing the wagon. Preparing for the arrival of the war band. Trying
to talk to the captive Saboros. The “Tree of Life.” Oil. The savage
use for ointment. Health and comfort. Biblical use. The approach of
the warriors. The Kurabus. Reinforced. They approach unsuspectingly.
The volley. Consternation and retreat. The savages refuse to treat.
Bringing in the wounded Kurabus. Internal bleeding. Coagulation a
safety. Nature’s way of protecting. Paralysis. Patient improving.
The constant watch. An apparent conflict among the besiegers. John’s
reasoning. The attack delayed.
V. TRYING TO ESTABLISH COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE NATIVES.....Page 58
Awaiting the night. How news travels among savage tribes. Questioning
the Saboros. The pictures of the boys shown to the captives. Recognized
by them. The headdresses. From their own tribes. The talk between
the Kurabus and the Saboros. John shows the Saboro the picture of
a bearded man. Recognizes it. Knives and forks. Surprise of the
captives. Nature’s knives and forks. The besiegers examining the water
wheel. Mischief on the part of Harry and Tom. Giving the warriors an
exhibition. Hitching up the sawmill. A startled audience. The accident
to Harry. The decaying bodies of the dead warriors. The burial.
Refusing to let Harry participate. The explanation. The terrible
poison of putrefied human flesh. Why the putrefied germs of a specie
is so deadly to its own kind. Utilizing the knowledge in the making of
serums. Trying to communicate with the besiegers through the captives.
A litter. Harry’s inscription on it. Carrying out the wounded captive.
Sabbath. How determined. The captives and the skeletons. Making
trinkets. Disappearance of the besiegers.
VI. APPROACHING THE FIRST HOSTILE CAMP.....Page 71
Significance of gifts. What are the real kinds. The Bible and the gun.
Preparing weapons. Ammunition. Overhauling the wagon. Stut and Chump.
Preparing a new expedition. Determining a course. The Osagas. The Chief
Uraso. Encamping on upper Cataract River. The enemy’s country. John
and George as advance scouts. Observations from trees. The tributary
of West River. Angel’s danger signal. Sighting the inhabitants. Tribal
warfare. A number in sight. A village. The objective point. Camping
for the night. Familiar ground to John. Their policy. A bold front.
Caution. Absence of fires. Tribes at war. The hostile camp. John’s
approach. Thoroughly examining the camp. Encircling their position.
Peculiar picketing of the native camp. An elevation.
VII. JOHN AND STUT RESCUING THREE CAPTIVES.....Page 85
The lights beyond the elevation. The village to the rear of the
savages’ camp. Unusual commotion in the camp. The arrival of new
warriors. Hilarity in camp. Bringing in captives. The fire around the
captives. Three bound victims. A bearded white man. Returning to the
wagon. The Professor’s investigation of the camp. John determines
to rescue the captives. The preparations. Stut assisting. Using the
captives’ garments. Reaching the natives’ camp. Waiting for the fires
to die down. John and Stut approaching cautiously. Entering the camp
circle. Lying down. The guard of the prisoners. Selecting Stut for
guard. John at the side of the captives. Stut encouraging the guards to
sleep. John holds up a warning finger to the white man. Pushing over
a knife. Releasing the cords of his fellow captives. The captives’
stealthy movements from the camp. Discovered by a guard. A dash for
freedom. John and Stut covering the retreat. The Professor accosts the
rescued captives. Stopping the pursuit. John and Stut deceiving the
warriors. Eluding them. John and Stut at the wagon. Stut recognizes his
brother.
VIII. THE RESCUED CHIEF MURO.....Page 97
The white captive John’s shipmate and companion. Joy in the party.
Giving Muro a spear. Blakely admiring the wagon. The Brabos. The
Osagas. The interposing forest. Taking up the fort. Moving toward the
village. Fording the river. Morning. The Saboros amused and surprised
at Angel. The boys telling Blakely about Cataract. The hungry captives.
Forming a picket line. The romance of wheels. Early origin. John and
Stut’s trip to the native village. Learn of another village to the
south. Blakely’s story of the captive boys. The savages carry a boat
east from the West River. Tuolos the bitterest foes. How Blakely evaded
the inhabitants. His home at the edge of the forest. Twice captured.
IX. MARCH TO THE SOUTH. THE MESSAGE TO THE SABORO TRIBE.....Page 109
A council of war. The talk with Muro. Appearance of a band of Brabos.
Passing the fort. The trying winds. Monsoons twice each year. The night
pickets. Why the inhabitants all lived in southwestern portion of the
island. Climatic reasons. Spanish Missions. Indian village sites.
Capacity of primitive races to find the best locations. The deference
shown Muro. The guns fascinating him. Muro’s admiration for Harry.
Muro’s sign of eternal friendship. Gratitude sacred in savage minds.
Blakely training the force. The Saboros taught how to use the guns. A
fighting force of eleven. The Saboros forming the camp guard. Tracking
the wagon by the wheel imprints. Putting up the fort. Muro delegates
Stut to go to his tribe. His departure.
X. THE CAPTURE OF THE PROFESSOR.....Page 121
The long watch by night. Subjects discussed. Savage persistency
discussed. Cardinal points in human nature. The savages seen to the
north. The “Fire Fiends.” Muro exhibiting himself to his late captors.
He sees the work of the guns for the first time. The siege of the
wagon. Surprise parties in the night. Taking up the fort. Continuing
the advance to the south. Muro advises avoiding the Kurabus territory.
The camp surrounded the second night. Mysterious disappearance of the
Brabos during the night. The Professor prospecting in the hills. The
noon hour. Captured. John sees the natives to the South. The effect
of the Professor’s capture on the boys. The pursuit. The forest where
Blakely made his home. Uncertainty as to the tribe which captured the
Professor. John, Muro, and the other Saboros follow the trail of the
natives. The wagon following. How the Professor was captured. Taken to
the Berees’ village. The meeting with the chief. Curing the chief’s
daughter. Gratitude. The chief indicates that the Professor may return
to his people. He refuses. Examines the village. Treats the wounded.
Synthetic food. Refuses to take food. Wonder of the natives. Mystery
and its part in savage life. The medicine men. Impressing them with his
power. John finds himself before a hostile party.
XI. FINDING MORE OF THE “INVESTIGATOR’S” BOYS.....Page 136
Another tribe coming up. Two tribes at war in their front. Barring
the way. The next day. Still fighting. The Professor’s doubts and
perplexities about John and the boys. His discovery of the prisoners’
stockade. Finds two boys who belonged to the _Investigator_. Removes
them from the enclosure. Takes them to the chief. The Professor
explains why he is there. The boys understand the language. Teach
the Professor. The boys take a bath. Furnished clothes by the chief.
Finding a soap plant. Explains why he uses the food tablets. Living
without eating. The boys tell their story. The elaborate meal set
out by the chief. Furnishing the Professor and the boys with a
hut. Learning the principal words in the Berees’ language. A small
vocabulary. Finding peculiar nuts. The uses of salt.
XII. THE PURSUIT INTERCEPTED BY FIGHT BETWEEN TRIBES.....Page 145
An exasperating situation. The fighting tribes preventing John from
continuing the search. John approaches the camps at night. Fails to
find evidences of captives. The Berees. No news from John in five
days. Muro and Nomo, disguised as Berees, approach their camp. No
captives there. Visit the Osagas with like results. Nomo captured.
John determines to enter the Osagas’ camp alone. Instructions to be
followed. Angel in the tree. The telltale chatter. Looking to the
north. Kurabus. No word from Stut. Perplexed. With whom were the
Kurabus allied? The advance scouts of their tribe. Discovering the
wagon. The fight between the Berees and the Osagas. The Kurabus making
a detour. The fort taken down. Hurrying the team to the east. John’s
reasons for escaping from the vicinity. John and Muro as rear guards.
Making tracks in the wrong direction. Crossing the ridge to safety.
XIII. THE BEREES WARRIORS UNDER COMMAND OF THE PROFESSOR.....Page 157
Names of the rescued boys in the camp of the Berees. Commotion in the
village. Learning about a bitter fight. News from the Osagas. Calling
on the chief. Uraso’s name startles the chief. The Professor learns
that the Berees believe the white men sacrificed Uraso. Fighting
for revenge. The Professor explains the situation to the chief. The
warriors instructed to follow the Professor. His talk with the chief
about thunder and lightning. The Great Spirit. The good and the bad.
The chief’s peculiar theology. Growing, or being made. Sacrificing
captives. Reasons for it. The wise men. Prayer, asking. Sacrificing,
giving. Ralsea, sub-chief. John and his party. A long night. How war
prevents agricultural pursuits. Promoting the island. Rich soil.
Utilizing the inhabitants. The law of least resistance. Property. Its
sacred character. Want one of the first signs of civilization. Law. A
party of Brabos going through Kurabus’ country. The Brabos attack. A
stinging defeat. The charge on the enemy. Pineapples.
XIV. THE WAGON IN THE FIGHTING ZONE OF FOUR TRIBES.....Page 170
Getting the number of the different tribes. Learning about their
quarrels. The Professor tells about the white man’s power. The chief’s
questions. A litter for the Professor. On the march. Ralsea agreeable.
More Berees from the north. Learning about the actions of the Kurabus.
The Professor decides to go to the Osaga’s village. Refuse to permit
any of their people to be injured. Learn the route of the Osagas’
warriors. Going forward. Decides to send a runner to John. Ralsea picks
Sutoto. The message to John. How and on what it was written. Sutoto’s
character. His departure. John learns that Muro’s wife is Uraso’s
sister. The Berees good people. Suros chief of the Berees. The Illyas
near the mountains. Only Illyas, Tuolos and Kurabus kill captives. The
wagon going southeast. Kurabus appearing in front. A hurried retreat to
the east. Warriors ahead of them. The Brabos. The wagon in the central
fight zone of the four tribes. Determine to fight.
XV. URASO CAPTURED BY THE BEREES. WELCOMED BY THE PROFESSOR.....Page 182
The Professor within Osaga’s territory. Advises the people they will
not be injured. Telling them Uraso was not injured by the white
people. Following the Osagas to prevent them from attacking the wagon.
Blakely and John notice the peculiar manner in which the tribes
march. Characteristics of people. Unaware of the presence of the
wagon. Discovered by the last tribe. The fort ready for the fight.
Kurabus circling the fort. Muro’s first shot with the gun. A good
marksman. Defeat of attacking party. Rain. Inability to use the bows.
An uncomfortable night. A call in the darkness. An object held up
outside the fort. Sutoto arrives with the message from the Professor.
Helping him into the fort. A royal welcome. Tells the story of the
Professor. Recognizes Muro. Blakely recalls Sutoto. The Professor
hurrying forward. A lurking native. Cries of Osaga. Recognizes Uraso.
Captured and escaped. Uraso’s surprise at the Professor in command of
the Berees. Uraso explains. Tells the people about the Professor.
XVI. A PERPLEXING MIX-UP.....Page 195
Preparing to attack the wagon. Sutoto recognizes the Brabos. Natives
on four sides. A mix-up. The attack from all sides. The first volley.
A charge. The terrible fire from the fort. Repulsed. Sutoto’s delight.
The Kurabus sight the Brabos. The peculiar movements of the Brabos.
Going to the south. The Illyas in pursuit. The charge of John and party
on the Kurabus. Flight to the north. The Professor hears the boom of
the guns. Intense haste. Fearing the Osagas have attacked. The firing
continues. Sending out a scout for John. No word from the front.
Midnight. The Professor learns that the Osagas are not engaged. Showing
feeling by expressions. How different people express their emotions.
National characteristics. Who is the wise man? What is wisdom? Learning
who are the people to the west of them. Ralsea and Uraso go to the
north. The Kurabus again attacking the fighting parties. Decide to go
west and cross the river. Evading the warring factions.
XVII. THE SABOROS COMING TO THE RESCUE.....Page 208
The Kurabus joining the Illyas. The Brabos to the south of the Illyas.
The wagon arrested in its westward flight. The tribes opposing each
other. The arrival of the tribe from the east. A surprise. Believe it
to be the Saboros. The defeat of the Illyas and Kurabus. The retreating
forces. The Professor gets no word from Ralsea and Uraso. Other scouts
go forward. A scout returns. No sounds of guns for three days. A war
party east of the Professor. The Saboros appear. The Professor appears
before them. Their astonishment. Stut rushes forward. Recognizes the
Professor. Combining their forces. Stut’s story. Causes of the war.
Escaped when Brabos attacked Kurabus’ village. Indications that the
Osagas had joined the Brabos. Stut surprised to know that Uraso had
been captured by the Illyas. Learning of a treaty between the Illyas,
Tuolos and Kurabus. News of the defeat of the Illyas and Kurabus. The
advance.
XVIII. THE TERRIBLE FIGHT AND FINAL VICTORY.....Page 219
The retreating tribes approaching the wagon. Angel discovers a tribe
coming from the north. The Tuolos. Going to the assistance of the
Illyas and Kurabus. Again in the path of the hostiles. Trying to
escape to the river. The Kurabus driven to the river. The intercepted
journey. Erecting the fort. The Brabos pursuing the Kurabus. A
stealthy warrior. Muro sees him. Recognizes Uraso. The boys wild with
excitement. Uraso points out the Osagas nearest the river. Tells them
about the Professor. The Tuolos coming from the north. Reasons why
Uraso could not return to the Professor. Tells why the Professor went
to the Osaga’s village. The Professor and the two tribes passing over
the battlefield of the previous day. Ralsea returns with news of the
wagon and its safety. News that the Brabos and Osagas were wreaking
vengeance. The sound of the guns from the fort. The Professor advancing
in haste. The Tuolos charging the wagon. The frightful volley. The
Kurabus coming to assist. The Illyas driven back by the Saboros and the
Osagas. A combined attack. Complete defeat of the allied tribes. The
Professor and his allies surround the wagon. The happy reunion.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
“The warriors approached unsuspectingly” Frontispiece
PAGE
“When George reached the limb which Angel occupied, the
latter was jubilant in his expressions of pleasure” 23
“‘Do you think they will be able to read that?’ asked Will” 166
“Each one trying to be the first to grasp Uraso by the hand,
and welcome him” 230
Angel’s Seat 32
Rope Ladder 37
The Cataract Home 49
Savage Headdress 59
Primitive Forks 61
Harry’s Message on the Litter 66
Angel in a Papaw Tree Sighting the Savages 78
The Primitive Wheel 102
Arrow Type Most Frequently Used 123
Shell Vessels 130
Soap Plant 140
Pistachio 144
Pineapple 168
The Plantain 177
Message on the Plantain Leaf 190
Map Showing Position of the Parties 204
The Battle Ground at the Wagon 223
CAPTURE AND PURSUIT
CHAPTER I
THE FIGHT AT THE SAVAGES’ CAMP
The Professor, Harry and Tom were dumbfounded at the excited condition
of Ralph, as he emerged from the wood and told them to reach the wagon
as quickly as possible.
“Where are John and George?” asked the Professor, as all hurriedly ran
to the rear.
“George had already gone forward to take his position, when we saw a
large number of the savages appear to our left, and he asked me to tell
you at once, while he went after George to inform him of the danger.”
“It will not do to leave them in this way. Go back to the wagon and get
all the guns ready, and I will remain here, so that at the first sign I
may be ready to aid them. If we do not return for some time, or in the
event you hear any firing, two of you must come to me with the reserve
guns.”
The boys hurried to the wagon, all the reserve weapons were taken out,
and the ammunition put in order for instant use. They waited impatiently
for the first sign which would be the signal to act, but fully a half
hour passed, and, after consulting, it was decided that Ralph and Tom
should go to the Professor at once, and take with them four extra guns,
leaving Harry, who knew most about the yaks and how to handle them in an
emergency.
In order to make the situation clear, it will be necessary to make a
digression from the story.
About fourteen months previous to the opening event of this chapter, an
aged Professor and two of the boys, named George Mayfield and Harry
Crandall, who were shipmates on the schoolship _Investigator_, were
wrecked at sea, and stranded on an unknown shore. They were stripped of
everything but their clothing, and of that had only a scanty supply.
Without tools of any sort, or any of the means to procure food or
clothing, they did not despair, but set to work, in the most primitive
way, to dig the different things from the earth, and to make clothing,
tools and other requirements.
They found the various metals and vegetable products; constructed a
water wheel; a sawmill; put up a small shop in which were installed the
various tools, such as lathes, grindstone, drilling machines, and the
like; a loom was eventually devised, to utilize the vegetable fibers,
and by means of which clothing was provided.
During the work which necessities forced upon them, they were desirous
of knowing something of the land which had received them, and several
trips were made into the interior, during which time evidence was found
of the existence of tribes of savages as neighbors, but could not learn
definitely where they were located, nor had they any means of
determining the number.
Fortunately, some yaks, a wild species of cattle, were captured, and
these they turned to use by taking advantage of the milk of the animals,
and also by utilizing the fur for making felt, as well as tanning the
hides for footwear.
But one of the most important uses was in training them for work, and a
wagon was built, which served in several trips into the interior.
During the excursions they learned of the existence of others who had
been shipwrecked, and later discovered that one of the boats made in the
early occupation of the island, and which was left by them in a large
river, about ten miles to the south of their home, had been taken by
some one, who had put different oars and a rope in the boat, which they
discovered after it had been found. This, together with the finding of a
lifeboat, companion to the one in which they were wrecked, was
sufficient evidence that some of their fellow-voyagers were on the
island, and this was confirmed when a message was found in the lifeboat,
which stated that certain ones were captured by the savages.
Before they had an opportunity of making any exploring trips, the boys
discovered a mysterious cavern, not far from their home, and this was
explored, with the Professor, and they were startled to find the
skeletons of a number of pirates who had inhabited the cave, and the
position of the skeletons, and the weapons, showed conclusively that the
entire band had been wiped out in a terrific fight.
In the caverns also were found the skeletons of chained captives, the
existence of a regular arsenal of weapons, and an immense hoard of
treasures, which had been hidden within the recesses of the cave, for
centuries.
Many mysterious things occurred to them, too long to relate, but all of
them bearing on the things which interested them, and the first serious
attempt to discover the savages, was to build a boat twenty feet long,
equipped with a sail, and with this, and an ample supply of provisions
on board, the course was directed to the northwest, and along the
western coast.
During the three days’ cruise, the weather was fair, but on the fourth
day a terrible storm came up and drove them back around the northern
point of land, and in the height of the storm they were cast ashore, and
their boat wrecked, fully seventy miles from their home.
Just before being driven back by the storm, they had the first view of
lights, which showed the location of the savages. They laboriously made
their way home, and on returning found John, one of the present party,
who suffered loss of memory, and had also an attack of aphasia, or
inability to speak.
His full name was John L. Varney, and for two months did not utter a
word, nor did he seem to recognize the existence of those around him.
Singularly enough, he was a first-class mechanic, and during hunting
trips showed himself to be expert, as well as in fishing, and did
anything and everything which he had seen others engage in.
Together with John, the Professor and the two boys built a first-class
wagon, and undertook a trip in the direction of the savages. In the
meantime they made several guns, so that they had ten muzzle-loaders,
which, while they took time to reload, were better than bows and arrows,
that the boys had formerly made and used.
Several months after landing they captured a baby orang-outan. This had
now grown to be strong and active, and as these animals have great
imitative qualities, George undertook to educate it to do many things,
and it succeeded, on its own initiative, in doing many mischievous
tricks, which afforded amusement for all the party.
He was called Red Angel, or more commonly Angel, and as he had a
wonderful instinct for scenting danger, was always taken on trips, and
was with them on the first extended tour made with the new wagon. During
that trip the two boys, Ralph Wharton and Tom Chambers, were rescued
from the savages, and it was found that both boys were companions on the
ill-fated _Investigator_, and were captured by several tribes of
natives, after they had been on the island over nine months.
During this trip they had a half dozen fights with the natives, which so
depleted their stock of ammunition that it compelled their retreat, and
finally returned, with determination to manufacture a new lot of guns,
and lay in an ample supply of ammunition.
After their return John’s memory was restored, and he related his
wonderful history, and together the six set to work preparing the new
equipment. This comprised twenty-five guns and two hundred and fifty
rounds of ammunition. The wagon carried with it a portable fort which
could be set up on one side of the wagon to protect the team of yaks, as
well as themselves, and it was also so made as to serve as a float for
enabling them to cross streams.
The particular reason for the present trip was not revenge, but to
rescue the other boatload of their companions, and also some of the
companions of John, who must be somewhere in the interior, unless
sacrificed by the natives.
They were now on this trip, and had gone about twenty miles from home,
and after crossing the South River, the day before, set out in the
direction of the savages’ village, which lay to the southwest.
Early in the morning of the day, after discovering a half dozen savages
encamped less than a half mile away, it was determined to surprise and
capture them, so as to afford a means whereby they might treat with the
inhabitants.
While in the act of surrounding their camp, John discovered a band
approaching from the southwest, so that he was compelled to notify the
others of the danger, and Ralph was sent back hurriedly with the
warning, as related.
As they approached the Professor, the latter held up a warning hand, and
whispered: “I do not think John and George will be able to make their
way back by the left, as the new band has just come in, and they are now
all together, so that if you will remain here I will go to the right.
Await my coming, unless there should be firing, in which event go back
to the wagon and prepare it to receive us.”
Before he had taken a step a shot rang out, and the Professor continued:
“Go at once and get the wagon ready.”
The boys rushed back, and informed Harry, and the wagon was at once
turned around into an advantageous position, the yaks unyoked, and the
portable fort taken from the wagon and set up in position. The place
selected was in the open, so as to compel the savages to travel over the
open spaces before reaching the wagon.
In the meantime, let us see what John and George were doing. When John
told Ralph to inform the others, he had seen the newly arriving warriors
coming up slowly from the southwest, and as George had already gone on
to take up his position to his left, he followed after him, and as he
caught up, said:
“We cannot carry out our movement, as a number of savages are now coming
up, and I have sent Ralph to warn the others. We must now make our way
around the camp to the north, and then strike east. Move as quietly as
possible, and follow me.”
Before they had gone three hundred feet, John held up a warning hand.
“There is another lot of them coming from the northwest. What does all
this mean?”
Their only salvation now was to move directly to the west, and this
took them just the opposite direction from the wagon.
When the Professor left the boys he moved cautiously to the northwest,
and before he had gone far saw the savages approaching from that
quarter. As the band which John had advised them about, was coming in
from the southwest, he was, for a time, mystified, but soon reached the
conclusion that it must be a force not noticed by John, so he circled to
the north, in wonder why John or George should have used the gun which
they had just heard.
When George and John moved to the west, the band which they originally
sighted, arrived in sight of the camp, and they at once changed the
course to the south, and thus enabled them to make their way back to the
wagon in that direction; but before the trail was reached, John said:
“We must approach the trail cautiously, as there may be stragglers, or
some who are following behind.”
At that instant, two warriors crossed the path directly ahead of them,
the brush being so close at this point that they could not see fifty
feet ahead. The savages saw them instantly, and John held up his hand,
as though to speak, but they did not wait to parley, and as one of them
raised his spear to throw it, the other fitted an arrow to his bow, but
before the spear left the native’s hand, George drew his gun and fired.
The other savage did not wait to shoot, as he saw his companion fall,
but bounded forward, in the direction of the camp. The shot, of course,
aroused the entire camp, and it also accelerated the movement of the
tribe approaching from the northwest.
“Follow me quickly,” whispered John. “Let us go south, and then make our
way east.”
In a short space of time the savages were at the scene of the shooting,
and, as they had no means of knowing in which direction their enemies
had gone, began the process of trailing. This was, necessarily, slow
work, and it gave John and George time to make their way by a wide
detour around to the wagon, to find that only Harry was there, but
gratified to think that the precaution had been taken to erect the fort.
“Remain here, George, while I go forward to the Professor.” As he said
this he darted forward, and soon reached the position of Ralph and Tom,
and the latter at once informed him of the direction the Professor had
taken.
“Too bad, I am afraid he has fallen into the hands of the band which has
just come in from the northwest.”
This was, indeed, surprising news for the boys, but he did not wait for
their comments.
“Do not wait for us long, but go back to the wagon. I do not intend to
come back until I get the Professor,” and he was away.
“I do not understand what to make of the different forces all
concentrating at this point. There must be something up, sure.”
John followed the direction the Professor had taken, making a wide
detour to the north, and it was well he did so, as the savages, having
lost the trail, were now in consternation at the condition of things.
They knew the white men must be lurking somewhere near, but the
direction was a mystery.
The search was continued by John for over a quarter of an hour, when a
shot rang out in the direction of the wagon, and as he turned to go
back, was gratified to see the Professor several hundred feet away,
waving to him, and together they started for the wagon.
When Ralph and Tom returned to the wagon and reported the situation,
they were all in great excitement. They had no doubt but the savages
would, sooner or later, discover the trail left by John and George, and
this would lead to the wagon. In this they were not mistaken, for while
it took some time to trace out the tracks made by them, they soon
reached the wagon, and, in fact, entered the clearing before they had an
idea they were so near the whites.
Harry showed himself above the top of the fort, and the savages, unused
at the sight of such a spectacle, stood in amazement. He held up his
hand, as several of the savages fitted arrows to their bows, as a signal
not to fight, and they withdrew a short distance in consultation.
“If they only knew it, we could plug them without any difficulty at this
distance,” remarked Harry. “What do you suppose they will attempt to
do?”
“I only wish the Professor and John were here,” answered George.
“They are going to fight, that is sure,” observed Ralph.
“Let’s make a big show, anyway,” cried Harry. “Put a gun through each
one of the portholes.”
The fort had four portholes on each side, and a gun was thrust through
each and balanced in position.
It now appeared that an enveloping movement was taking place on the part
of the savages. After disappearing, they could be seen at different
quarters, as they again approached.
Without a word of warning a shower of arrows came from all sides, and
Harry cautioned them to be cool and shoot only when a distinctive mark
could be seen.
All was quiet within the fort, until Harry said: “See that chief near
the large tree? I will make a try for him.” Carefully taking aim, he
fired. This was the shot which John and the Professor heard.
They did not wait for any explanations. “I hope the boys are safe,” the
Professor remarked, as they hurried forward.
“They are no doubt at the wagon. I advised them to go there and not wait
for us.”
“Do you suppose that shot means they have discovered the wagon?”
“I have no doubt of it. They would be very stupid, indeed, not to be
able to trace us, and that was the reason I admonished them to go to the
wagon.”
As they approached the savages could be seen skulking about to surround
the wagon. “Well, Professor, I suppose we shall have to give them a
little surprise?”
The Professor smiled, as they crawled up to get a close position. The
tactics were now well understood by both, and that was to rush the
wagon from all sides, and thus hope, by overwhelming numbers, to
succeed.
“The boys are pretty smart, after all,” said the Professor, as he noted
the guns at the portholes, and John could hardly refrain from bursting
out in laughter at the sight.
At a signal the savages sprang forward, and there was a volley from the
fort. “Brave boys,” exclaimed John. “Shall we take a hand?”
“It would do me good to do so; but would it not be better to wait for
the next movement on their part. That shot staggered them.”
It was too apparent that the savages had not counted on such a
disastrous result of the charge; but they were determined now. As they
were springing forward, and before those in the fort had delivered the
second volley, the Professor quietly said: “I think we can risk it now.”
Both fired at the same instant, and two of the warriors fell. The attack
from the new quarter dumbfounded them. Neither John nor the Professor
appeared in the opening, but reloaded as rapidly as possible, and while
the boys were immeasurably surprised, kept their wits, and at the order
of George, fired a second volley.
This was too much for the natives, and they scampered from the vicinity
of the wagon, and away from their lurking enemies. John and the
Professor deliberately walked over the intervening space, as the boys
cheered them.
The result of the shots, for ten in all had been fired, were four dead
and four wounded, two of them so severely that they were unable to
move.
[Illustration: “_When George reached the limb which Angel occupied, the
latter was jubilant in his expressions of pleasure_”
[See p. 33]
]