RETURN OF THE NATIVES
Several of the packages left at the landing place, contained numerous
trinkets, and articles of personal adornment, such as the natives
adored. Brightly-colored fabrics, made at the factory on Wonder Island
were also among the many articles, which had been intended to be used as
presents.
John was gratified to learn, an hour or two after the Chief returned,
that the latter had given orders to the villagers to prepare a feast for
the visitors.
"But where are the Korinos?" asked George.
True, they had disappeared.
"Let us see John about that," responded Harry.
They had some time in finding him, but later on learned that he was
attending to the wounded, and caring for the late prisoners.
"It would not be wise to speak to the Chief about that now," responded
John. "The leaven is working well in his mind. Besides, I fear that he
will wreak vengeance on them, and we must prevent him from killing
them."
As the boys were leaving John they saw fifty of the warriors leave the
Chief's home, marching out of the village to the east. Muro entered the
hut where John was staying, and announced that the Chief wished to see
him.
John continued with his work, after informing Muro that he would soon
visit the Chief. The boys later saw John and Muro on their way to the
"Palace," as Harry called the royal residence, and begged John's
permission to accompany them.
The Chief received them with special marks of attention, and John
thanked him for the invitation.
"This is the day which the Wise Men have appointed for the sacrifices,
and the people are preparing the feast, in accordance with our custom.
It is my wish that you shall be my guests, and take part in our
ceremonies," remarked the Chief.
Muro, in behalf of John, thanked him for the invitation, and assured him
that they would gladly join in the rites. Then, he continued: "I wish to
inform you that we left at the seashore, on the other side of the
island, some gifts which I am desirous of presenting to you. If you will
order some of your men to accompany my guides they will bring them
back."
The Chief's eyes lighted up with pleasure. Immediately, a detail of men
were designated, and a half dozen of John's warriors, under the
leadership of Muro, were requested to proceed to the landing.
The people saw the company depart with the greatest wonder and
curiosity. Muro was instructed to leave a message at the landing, and
return with the packages as soon as possible. They reached the landing
place within two hours, and were rejoiced to see the _Pioneer_ anchored
not far from the shore.
Stut was recognized at once, but Sutoto had remained at Wonder Island.
The packages were taken to the _Pioneer_, and Muro informed Stut that
they would sail around the island and land near the village. The men
from the village were awe stricken at the sight of the vessel, and it
was difficult to get their consent to embarking but were soon persuaded,
when presented with some of the gifts, which Muro knew would be
acceptable.
* * * * *
An hour after the last interview in the Chief's home, the boys saw the
warriors, who had formerly left the Chief's home, marching down the
street of the village, and guarding the Korinos who had formed part of
the Chief's escort earlier in the day.
They were quite different now in demeanor, and the boys thought they
looked crestfallen. They were ushered into the Chief's presence without
any ceremony.
They stood there like criminals, and felt that their doom was sealed. "I
have sent for you," he said, "because this is the day you have selected
for the ceremonies. Where are the prisoners to be sacrificed?"
They were silent. The Chief continued: "You have told us that the Great
Spirit asks for the sacrifices each year when the sun is leaving us, and
when the moon is hiding behind the vail. Bring the captives so they may
be offered up."
Instantly the Korinos brightened up, and muttered a few words. The Chief
gave an order, and they were marched out of the building. Out of
curiosity, the boys followed. Their steps were directed to the stockade
where the prisoners had been confined.
To their dismay they saw only the ashes, and were staggered at the
sight. They stood there with wondering eyes. The boys could see that
this was a condition wholly unexpected by them, and it must be said that
there was pity in the hearts of Harry and George, as the leader gave the
order for them to return to the "Palace."
As they entered John and the Chief were engaged in an animated
conversation, and when the latter saw the Korinos, he stood up and asked
for the victims.
"They are not there!" was the only response.
The Chief, not affecting to believe, told them that they were lying to
him. They fell to their knees, but were mute.
"But the Great Spirit must not be deceived. Great evil will fall upon us
if he is not appeased. If you cannot find the victims I will do so."
The Chief's voice was terrible in its anger. Outside of their dark homes
the Korinos were subject to the Chief's will. Within the caves they knew
no fear. The boys looked at Uraso and John. A slight smile could be seen
on Uraso's face, as he returned the gaze of the boys; but John's face
was immobile, and did not in the least appear to portray any concern.
"It is my order that you shall be the victims, and must be offered up as
the sacrifices to prevent the anger of the Great Spirit."
This doom was pronounced in a voice so full of anger that its
significance was instantly divined by the boys, although they could not
understand all of the words which he uttered.
They were instantly seized and bound, and being now in a helpless
condition, were carried out of the building, and, with the most brutal
force conveyed by the guard to a hut not far from the Palace, and
literally thrust into the small opening which formed the entrance.
"Do you suppose they will kill them?" asked Harry, as he moved to the
side of Uraso.
"I think the Chief means what he says," and Uraso gave a little smile
that somewhat assured them.
"No; I don't think John will let the Chief kill them," responded George.
After the removal of the Korinos John asked whether it would be possible
to defer the ceremonies until the following day, for the reason that he
desired to distribute the gifts which the men were bringing from the
landing.
"If the White Chief so desires it shall be done."
John manifested his pleasure at the consent thus obtained.
George and Harry now wandered into every part of the village. For the
first time they noticed that it was located at the western edge of a
beautiful grove, thickly wooded, with tall trees.
Through this they walked, and before they emerged were delighted at the
sight of the great ocean beyond. "I wonder if John knows we are so
near?"
They ran to the beach, delighted to have an opportunity for a bath, but
were surprised to see many along the shore with small bags.
"They are searching for something," remarked Harry. "I wonder what it
can be?"
"Possibly clams. Don't you remember the first week when we lived on
clams, after we reached Wonder Island? What delightful days we had; and
how afraid we were of every noise, and used to start up at every new
sound."
"And wasn't it a joy to make the new things, and see every day bring new
wonders to us after we moved to the Cataract?"
"I have a love for that old home. We were so happy there. I know I am
not happier now when we own all the treasures of the caves, than when we
were building the water wheel, and the little shop, and tending the
yaks," answered George, as he gazed across the sea, and thought of the
glorious times and of their wonderful adventures.
When they saw the streams of people coming from the shore they recalled
that the people were preparing for the feast. It was remarkable that
clams were an article of food with these people when those on the island
they had just left, despised all fish and sea food.
They wandered along the beach, fully a mile south of the village, and
quite out of reach of the people, and were soon in the mild surf. After
a half hour of this enjoyment they dressed, and ascended a slight
elevation from which could be seen the character of the land along the
sea.
To the north and south of their position the land was much higher, the
northern portion having the appearance of very high hills, if not
mountains.
"Do you think John was thinking about the caves when the guards brought
in the Korinos?" remarked George, as they were descending the ridge.
"I thought of it," answered Harry. "But I learned from Muro that he
knew where they made their homes!"
"Then he must have watched them, as John suggested!"
"No; one of the men told him just before he left."
"What did he say?"
"That they should follow the trail to the north of the grove until they
reached the sea."
"Then Muro must know that the sea is near?"
"I think he does."
During the descent from the hill the ocean was visible directly to the
east. Both, at the same instant, caught sight of a sail. They gasped in
surprise, as they gazed at the unusual spectacle.
"I would like to know who that can be," queried Harry. "Let us tell John
and then get something so we can signal it."
They rushed down the hill, and ran hurriedly through the streets of the
village, to the surprise of the inhabitants. First going to the Chief's
house, without finding him, they went to the improvised hospital where
the wounded Korinos were being cared for.
There John was found, together with Uraso and the Chief. "We have seen a
sail," shouted George. "We want something to use as a signal." John
bounded up, and Uraso rushed out and soon fished out a white cloth, and
ran down through the grove after the boys.
Three hundred feet to the right was a slight elevation, which the boys
had noticed, and as it was devoid of trees offered the most available
place for the signal flag. They scurried around for some pole which
would answer, and to this the white cloth was quickly attached.
John was the last to reach the signaling point. He was laughing
immoderately, as he noticed the frantic signaling. "Where are your field
glasses, George?"
"They are in the village. I forgot about them."
"If you had used them you would not be surprised at the visitor."
The boys stopped signaling for a moment, and then looked at the ship.
"It isn't possible that is the _Pioneer_?"
"Look again, for yourself; don't you know your own work?"
The ship had seen the signal, and now turned. Then they recognized the
grand little vessel, that was almost a part of themselves, for they had
worked many months to complete her, and had tried to put good luck and
best wishes into every plank and spar and sail.
The Chief, too, was coming. The whole village joined to welcome the
ship, for when Uraso told the Chief that their own ship was coming, he
could not resist the temptation to witness the arrival.
Was it possible that Muro reached the landing place before the ship
left? John thought so, but the boys doubted it. Muro left before noon,
and it was now past five in the evening.
As the vessel neared the shore the people lined up and the boys crowded
close to the shore. They were the first to recognize Muro, to their
great delight. He waved his hand to them, and Stut was by his side.
"Good old Stut!" shouted George. "Where is Sutoto?"
"In Wonder Island!" was the response.
They were disappointed at this, but there was too much for them to think
about, as the anchor was being swung, and as soon as it dropped, a boat
was lowered from each side, and the men began to descend from the short
ladder, while the village people watched the proceeding with silent
wonderment.
Muro was the first to touch the shore, and then came the villagers who
were on the mission with Muro. They were the heroes to their friends.
They knew their duty to their Chief, however, and the latter had a most
animated conversation with them, and particularly so after he had
noticed the array of trinkets which Muro had bestowed on them.
While this was going on the boats returned and bundles and packages were
brought out of the ship and deposited in the boats. After they had been
taken from the boats, John said: "With your permission I will take these
things to your house."
The Chief assented, and on his orders the men in the village gathered up
the assortment of gifts and the procession filed along the path to the
village.
The feast that evening reminded them of the welcome which the Chief
Beralsea extended to them the second night after their arrival at
Venture Island. Besides the clams referred to there was an abundance of
fish, several varieties, besides game and meats, and the only thing
which they seemed to lack, or which was rather meager in quantity, was
fruit.
Like all natives of these islands, they were experts at spitting the
meats. The most delicious was a species of ground hog, that the boys
frequently caught on Wonder Island. The boys had watched the method of
roasting these animals.
A strong green tapering stick, about four feet long was selected, and
the bark was peeled off, so as to give it a smooth surface. The small
end of this was sharpened, and driven through the animal, from end to
end, so that it was held firmly on the stick, midway between its ends.
[Illustration: _Fig. 5. Spitting the Roast._]
Two forked posts were then driven into the ground, about three feet
apart, and the stick laid in the forks. A fire of wood, previously built
between the posts was permitted to accumulate a quantity of coal, and
when a hot fire was thus generated, one of the natives would
continuously rotate the stick, so that the heat affected all sides
evenly, and the result would be the most tempting roast imaginable. This
is a practice common with savages all over the world, varying only in
the details of the preparations.
All the vegetables were roasted, in hot coals. In this respect their
custom was different from the practice followed in Venture Island, for
there they knew how to make stews. Here they knew nothing about pottery,
but like all islanders in the South Seas, the wrecks would, occasionally
cast cooking utensils, like pots, or pans, ashore, and these
highly-prized articles were sure to be taken by the Chiefs, or by the
Krishnos themselves, where they could get them by stealth.
[Illustration: _Fig. 6. Arialad Fruit. Sarsaparilla._]
Unlike the natives of Wonder Island, they had potatoes, the wild variety
which the boys found the second day after they were cast ashore. The
Taro root, that vegetable which grows in the greatest abundance in every
section south of the Equator, to the lower border of the south temperate
zone, was the chief dish, and was also roasted in like manner.
What surprised them most was a drink that pleased John, who at once
recognized its origin. They called it Arialad, and George declared it
was a fine quality of Sarsaparilla.
"You are correct," said John. "Its real botanical name is Arialace. It
belongs to the same family as spikenard and ginseng. Very few natives
know of its value. It is both a medicine and a refreshing drink."
"If it grows in abundance here it would be a good thing to gather for
export," observed Harry.
"A boat load of the roots would be worth a fortune," rejoined John.
There was the utmost good fellowship among all present. In accordance
with the custom among most of these people the women did not partake of
the food in the presence of the men. They acted as the servants in
serving the food, but the men prepared the meal, a sort of well-balanced
family arrangement, as George observed.
"But who washes the dishes?" asked Harry with a laugh, in which all
joined.