SUTOTO AND THE CHIEF'S DAUGHTER
It was plain that Sutoto was not the same being. During the three days
they remained at the port, and formed the exploring expeditions into the
interior, with the co-operation of the Chief, Sutoto did not take a
part.
He begged to be allowed to remain near the ship. That was a sly
suggestion which John understood. Even though he might have been blind
he would have known the true reason, for the boys were continuously
joking Sutoto all of which he took good-naturedly, and John often burst
out in fits of laughter, as he witnessed Sutoto's discomfiture.
The Chief's name was Beralsee, and the big-eyed maiden was known as
Cinda, the meaning of which was, as explained by Beralsee, the Beautiful
Star. The Chief had four other children, one a man of twenty-one, and
the others younger than Cinda.
The eldest, Calmo, was tall and lithe, like Sutoto. Like his father he
was original in his ways, and to him the Chief entrusted the care of the
expeditions which were made at the suggestion of John. The latter
explained that they had seen the wonderful products growing on the
island, coffee, cocoa, spices, and particularly the various fibres.
The recital of the tales, of how the white man used these things to
make the various needed articles, and how the great ships were employed
to carry the goods to and fro, and how the different things were
exchanged, interested him.
Many of the subjects were not within his comprehension. Why were all
these things done? What was the object of having so many products?
John told him that when men had everything they really needed to keep
them alive and in comfort, they still wanted something more, and those
things were called luxuries; then, after they and their children used
these luxuries for a while, they found them to be absolutely essential
and they then became necessaries. In that way men learned the use of so
many, many things, that the whole world was being searched to find
products which would serve to make the needed things.
"Do you mean," said the Chief, "that your people are trying to find
things they do not need, so they can buy them, and try to make some use
of them?"
John could not help but smile at the acuteness of the question. "That,
in effect, is just what they do. It is not so considered, however, by
our people. It is difficult to say just where necessity ends and luxury
begins. But each year, yes every month, new things are brought out, and
people begin to buy them, because the traders and the people who sell
are shrewd and know how to cultivate taste and the desire for new and
startling things."
"But how do the people get the articles to exchange for these things?"
"The people do not accumulate articles to buy other articles with.
Instead, they work to get money, and with this money they buy the
things."
"I do not know what you mean by that. What is 'money'?"
"It is an article which tells what everything else is worth."
"Then it must be wonderful. I would like to see that remarkable thing
which can tell what everything else is worth."
John took some of the coins from his pocket. "Here is some of it, which
we use on Wonder Island."
The Chief smiled. He held them in his hand. He knew the meaning of the
hole in the center. They were intended, as he thought, to be threaded on
a string, and used as an ornament.
They fascinated him. He had never seen anything so attractive. He looked
at John, while he thought, but did not speak. Then John said: "This is
worth one cent, and this larger one five cents."
He compared the two. Finally, he said: "What makes this worth so much
more than the other, and why are they worth anything?"
"Because there is so much metal,--so much copper, in each."
"But copper is of no use. I cannot eat it, and it will not clothe me."
"No, but if you have this money then you can get the clothes, and the
size of them will tell just how much clothing you can get."
"I do not understand it. Where can I go and get clothing with these
round pieces!"
"You must go where the clothing is, or the goods must be brought to
you."
"Well, if we are here, at a place where there should be no clothing, or
no food, this _money_, as you call it, would not enable me to clothe or
feed myself?"
"Assuredly not."
"Then it has no value?"
"No; it merely measures the value of something which I can eat or wear,
or use."
"Then why not use a taro root, or a fowl, or wisps of fibre?"
"That would be all right, if we could have a common understanding
between us of how much a taro bulb was worth by the side of a bundle of
fibre, and how large the bundle should be to exchange fairly with an
armful of Amarylla tubers."
On the third day the boys, together with John, a party of the boys, and
three natives under the lead of Calmo, started for the northern end of
the island. John had now learned that the island was entirely unlike the
Wonder Island formation.
The latter was fairly circular in form, whereas the one they were now
about to explore was narrow and long. That part of the southern portion
which they had carefully examined, in order to learn its agricultural
possibilities, was rolling, and in many places had level plateaus, not
anywhere at a greater altitude than three or four hundred feet above sea
level.
There was higher ground to the north, where the climate was uninviting,
so Beralsee said, and it was for that reason they made it a convict
colony.
John was anxious to see the people who were exiled from their homes on
account of their crimes. Furthermore, he was impressed with the idea
that the upper end showed volcanic upheavals, which would be likely to
expose mineral formations.
Gruesome tales were current of the ferocity of the convicts. It was no
wonder that the poor victims, whom George had prevented from being
expelled several days before, regarded their deliverance as such a great
blessing.
No one, once condemned, was ever permitted to come back. The
condemnation was for all time. Furthermore, it was part of the Chief's
unwritten code, that no one who transgressed the law could ever make
atonement, or recover his rights.
To be able to meet people so condemned, and to talk with them and get
their views, was worth an exertion, surely, and Harry and George were
just as enthusiastic at the prospects of the journey.
"That may be some recompense for not finding any caves," said George.
Harry laughed, as he looked at George. "To hear you talk people might
think you had caves on the brain."
"Well the caves are the only thing that we have had in the way of sport.
And then the treasures!"
"I know that; but I shall not be disappointed if there isn't a cave
within five hundred miles."
"Nor I; but John is very anxious, for some reason, to find some
particular cave. I'll bet anything that skull we found on the southeast
peak of Wonder Island has something to do with it, judging by the way he
is caring for the skull, and spending hours in examining it."
"I had forgotten about that," responded Harry. "That brings back my
interest, now. But John does not think there are any caves on this
island, but he believes that there is another island farther south."
"Is that so!"
"I am sure of it."
"How sure?"
"Well, the chart which John made has this island on it, and a mark which
shows something like it directly to the south. I saw that several days
ago."
"When did he make the drawing?"
"Since he has been on this island."
Harry emitted a low whistle. "I thought John had something in his mind
all along. What do you suppose he expects to find in that particular
cave?"
"Well, not money; that's sure. It might be a good idea to do some
thinking and searching on our own account."
"I have often wondered, since we have been on Wonder Island, and more
particularly, since we landed here, whether it would not be possible to
trace some of the unsolved mysteries of Wonder Island to this, or some
other island."
"Yes, I have often thought of that. We have gone over every part of that
island, and found no trace of the other boat load, that is of the boys
who came ashore on the _Investigator's_ No. 3. None of the tribes ever
knew or heard of that boat, nor was there ever a trace of the members of
that crew.
"That is the mystery. Some one brought the boat to the island. Some one
took it inland. Some one, a man by the name of Walter, wrote a note
addressed to Wright, who was one of the companions of John when he was
shipwrecked, but Wright knew nothing of Walter. If the solution of this
matter does not lie in some other island, we might as well give it up."
Before describing the events of the journey it is necessary to make a
digression, so that we may be able to recount some things which had a
bearing on the adventures and experiences of the two boys after they
returned.
The natives on Wonder Island, as well as on the island where they now
were, wore the most primitive kinds of clothing. The men had the
simplest clothing, merely a breech clout, worn about the loins, and the
Chiefs usually wore some distinguishing clothing about their shoulders,
and usually on their arms.
The women, however, had short skirts, and like their white sisters,
abounded in ornaments. Some of them had jackets, to which the trinkets
were attached. All delighted in bracelets. These were usually formed
like bands around their arms and limbs, and the wealth and importance of
the dame was judged from the number so employed.
As a result, when they became great and wealthy, more and more clothing
had to be used, to enable them to attach the ornaments. It might be
said, that clothing was worn, not for the purpose of covering the body,
or for comfort, but in order to serve as a vehicle to attach the much
desired trinkets, and the dangling character of these articles seemed to
be the great attraction.
For this reason bright and sparkling bits of jewelry were the most
sought. It mattered not what they were made of, but the glistening
surface had its value to them. Singularly enough, the women on the new
island strove to decorate themselves in like manner, and presumably, for
the same purpose.
When the savages in Wonder Island were brought out of their crude state,
the Professor and George knew that they could not change that
fundamental law of nature, nor did they attempt to work a revolution in
the minds and characters of the people in this respect.
Within certain limitations such a desire to ornament and render
themselves attractive is most laudable. They knew that among the few
peoples in the world, where that quality is entirely lacking, they are
of the lowest type, and possessed of the least intellect, and that all
such are the hardest to cultivate.
Here, as on Wonder Island, the natives understood weaving, the fabrics
being of the coarsest character, both in the matter of quality and
appearance. The work was necessarily slow and tedious, and the principal
work of the women was to weave these articles of wear with the simple
tools they had.
When the boys built the looms, and the natives saw the wonderful goods
produced, and the dyes prepared to give the fabrics the different hues,
the women became most expert weavers, and the natural result was that
they vied with each other to make the best articles, and to form them
into the most fashionable garments.
When the _Pioneer_, and later their new steamer, _Wonder_, which was now
regularly running to one of the great seaports, began to bring in such
products as they could not make in the islands, a new impetus was given
to the dress designed for women.
Before the boys left for Wonder Island, that place attracted immigrants
from the north; they brought their families, and began to engage in the
business of exporting the fruits and the fibres, as well as the ores and
the dyes from the island. From the white women the native women learned
the new art of dressing, and of adornment.
Their coming was not needed to give them the desire, but they were not
slow to recognize that their fair-skinned sisters could teach them the
refining process.
Muro's wife was the sister of Uraso, the latter a man of naturally
strong intellect, and his sister was not behind him in her particular
domain. She was at all times the leading spirit in the development of
her people, and to her the Professor imparted many of the great secrets,
that might be of service.
Stut, the brother of Muro, was second in command of the vessel, and
before they left on the mission into the interior, John called in Stut,
and in presence of the boys imparted a scheme that met with hearty
approval.
It was now an open secret that Sutoto and Cinda were in love. If the
Chief knew of it he did not exhibit any alarm, or offer any objections.
John knew that courtships on the islands were not usually of long
duration. He thought it would be a fine thing to make the wedding a
"state affair."
"Now, Stut, I want to entrust you with a mission to the Professor and
Muro's wife, to whom you can explain the situation. She must prepare a
suitable outfit for the bride, and tell her I think she and the other
women that she might choose should also come over. They must not forget
to bring the proper costumes for Cinda's mother and for all the
attendants.
"The Professor will know what is suitable to send over for the Chief.
All this will take some time to arrange, and it must be done without
letting Sutoto know. I will arrange the matter with him so that he will
not suspect your real mission.
"Our work at the northern part of the island will take about ten days,
and probably less. If you have no trouble, and this time of the year is
not a stormy one, you can easily make the trip there in a day and a
half, and return in the same time, thus giving you a full week to
prepare the articles."
Stut was in raptures at the announcement. John knew that he was capable,
and trusted him. Shortly afterwards Sutoto was sent for, and John said:
"It is necessary for the _Pioneer_ to return to Wonder Island to get
some things of importance for us. It would please me better to have you
remain, and Stut can take your place for the trip; but if you prefer to
go, it will be satisfactory."
Sutoto hesitated for a moment. He eyed John for a moment, and the boys
begged him to remain. They knew, as did John, that their entreaties were
not necessary. Finally, with a most suspicious glance, he consented to
stay. Stut was notified, and he came in.
"Stut, I have some very valuable papers which must be delivered to the
Professor, who will send some things back, and I have arranged with
Sutoto that he shall remain and help us in our investigations here,
while you sail the _Pioneer_ to Unity."
Stut looked at Sutoto for a moment, as though taken by surprise, and
announced his willingness to go. "Then start at once," remarked John,
"and return as soon as possible."
Sutoto called Stut aside, after they left John. "Will you get some
things for me?" he asked.
"Certainly, what can I do for you?"
Then Sutoto imparted the secret of his coming marriage to Stut, and the
latter with well concealed surprise, promised secrecy, and assured him
that he would get the clothing necessary and the particular presents
that seemed to be of more importance to him than his garments.
Within two hours the ship was ready, and as they were leaving the vessel
Stut told the boys of the commission which he had undertaken at Sutoto's
request.