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.