THE next day we set out for the far end of the island, and reaching it
in canoes (for we went by sea) after a journey of twenty-five hours, we
remained no longer than was necessary in the City of Bag-jagderag.
When he threw himself into that fight at Popsipetel, I saw the Doctor
really angry for the first time in my life. But his anger, once
aroused, was slow to die. All the way down the coast of the island he
never ceased to rail against this cowardly people who had attacked his
friends, the Popsipetels, for no other reason but to rob them of their
corn, because they were too idle to till the land themselves. And he
was still angry when he reached the City of Bag-jagderag.
Long Arrow had not come with us for he was as yet too weak from his
wound. But the Doctor—always clever at languages—was already getting
familiar with the Indian tongue. Besides, among the half-dozen
Popsipetels who accompanied us to paddle the canoes, was one boy to
whom we had taught a little English. He and the Doctor between them
managed to make themselves understood to the Bag-jagderags. This
people, with the terrible parrots still blackening the hills about
their stone town, waiting for the word to descend and attack, were, we
found, in a very humble mood.
Leaving our canoes we passed up the main street to the palace of the
chief. Bumpo and I couldn’t help smiling with satisfaction as we saw
how the waiting crowds which lined the roadway bowed their heads to the
ground, as the little, round, angry figure of the Doctor strutted ahead
of us with his chin in the air.
At the foot of the palace-steps the chief and all the more important
personages of the tribe were waiting to meet him, smiling humbly and
holding out their hands in friendliness. The Doctor took not the
slightest notice. He marched right by them, up the steps to the door
of the palace. There he turned around and at once began to address the
people in a firm voice.
I never heard such a speech in my life—and I am quite sure that they
never did either. First he called them a long string of names: cowards,
loafers, thieves, vagabonds, good-for-nothings, bullies and what not.
Then he said he was still seriously thinking of allowing the parrots to
drive them on into the sea, in order that this pleasant land might be
rid, once for all, of their worthless carcases.
At this a great cry for mercy went up, and the chief and all of
them fell on their knees, calling out that they would submit to any
conditions of peace he wished.
Then the Doctor called for one of their scribes—that is, a man who did
picture-writing. And on the stone walls of the palace of Bag-jagderag
he bade him write down the terms of the peace as he dictated it.
This peace is known as _The Peace of The Parrots_, and—unlike most
peaces—was, and is, strictly kept—even to this day.
It was quite long in words. The half of the palace-front was covered
with picture-writing, and fifty pots of paint were used, before the
weary scribe had done. But the main part of it all was that there
should be no more fighting; and that the two tribes should give solemn
promise to help one another whenever there was corn-famine or other
distress in the lands belonging to either.
This greatly surprised the Bag-jagderags. They had expected from the
Doctor’s angry face that he would at least chop a couple of hundred
heads off—and probably make the rest of them slaves for life.
But when they saw that he only meant kindly by them, their great fear
of him changed to a tremendous admiration. And as he ended his long
speech and walked briskly down the steps again on his way back to the
canoes, the group of chieftains threw themselves at his feet and cried,
“Do but stay with us, Great Lord, and all the riches of Bag-jagderag
shall be poured into your lap. Gold-mines we know of in the mountains
and pearl-beds beneath the sea. Only stay with us, that your
all-powerful wisdom may lead our Council and our people in prosperity
and peace.”
The Doctor held up his hand for silence.
“No man,” said he, “would wish to be the guest of the Bag-jagderags
till they had proved by their deeds that they are an honest race. Be
true to the terms of the Peace and from yourselves shall come good
government and prosperity—Farewell!”
Then he turned and followed by Bumpo, the Popsipetels and myself,
walked rapidly down to the canoes.
_THE EIGHTH CHAPTER_