THE RETURN TO WONDER ISLAND
"That was an awfully sly thing to do, as soon as our backs were turned,"
said George, as Sutoto and Cinda were finally free from the vigorous
greetings.
"What is that?" asked Cinda.
"To run away without giving us notice!"
"But we have seen the great wide world, and it is wonderful, and I can
never tell the people here how grand it is."
And then the boys looked at Cinda, and when they saw the latest fashions
displayed, the prettiest gown, the neatest slippers, and the stunning
hat they took off their caps, and made a neat bow in recognition of that
feminine touch of character which so readily adapts the sex for
acquiring the latest fashions wherever they may be.
Every one was wild with excitement. "There is Blakely!" shouted Harry.
"Hurrah! old boy! We have the place for you to visit, as soon as
possible. The finest island you ever saw, and the people all ready for
business."
"My hands are full now; we must have another ship. Look at the _Wonder_;
she is so full of goods that we are more than eight hours behind time.
But I am arranging for another steamer."
"Too bad that we are finding more islands than you can handle,"
responded George; "I suppose we shall have to find another manager?"
"Or several assistants," said Blakely.
"What are all these men here for?" asked Harry. "Why the whole island
must have come to town."
"Well, we have had to send for all the spare men from the different
tribes. Fifty of the Tuolos just came in this morning, and thirty of the
Illyas arrived yesterday, with their families. The _Wonder_ must be
unloaded, and start back again before six this evening. But what did you
find that looks as good as Venture Island?"
"Rescue Island; a dandy place, and much bigger than Venture Island. And
what do you think? We found a chief there who is a white man," remarked
George.
"A white man? Where is he from?"
"Massachusetts; and he is humpbacked, but as bright as can be."
"I saw him, did I not? He was on the _Pioneer_?"
"Yes; there he is with Ta Babeda."
"Ta what?"
"That's the Chief's name who owned the other tribe on Rescue Island.
Isn't he an immense fellow? But he is a brick; I can tell you. Come over
and I'll introduce you," and Harry pulled Blakely over while the latter
resisted, as the men were constantly besieging Blakely for orders.
"Never mind the work now. Get acquainted with the _big_ men first," and
the Professor laughed as he saw the boys forcibly tug at Blakely and
haul him over to the group.
"This is one of the big men we have on the island," said Harry to Ta
Babeda, and the latter looked at Blakely for a moment, and began to
smile, for while Blakely was chunky he was not at all large, if the
Chief might be taken as a standard.
He took Ta Babeda's hand, and welcomed him most heartily, and then
turned to Ephraim, and also extended a greeting.
"This is the man who does all the business," said Harry, "and he is
going to make you a visit." At this point they were interrupted.
"Shall we store all the pineapples aft," said a man hurriedly.
"No; put them amidship," he answered.
"We have no crates for the vegetables," said another.
"Never mind, put them in the large boxes, and they can be crated on the
way."
"Some more men have just come; what shall we put them at?" was the
report of another, and so from one to the other, Blakely was ever ready
with a prompt answer.
The Chiefs and Ephraim watched and wondered at Blakely and his constant
readiness to entertain them, meanwhile giving orders to hundreds of the
workers who were crowding about. It was an object lesson of what
business meant, and the boys felt proud and happy to see the great
ability which he displayed.
But what a happy day it was for the Professor. He and John were in close
conference, after the formal introductions were over. "There is
something brewing," said George as he nudged Harry, and cast a glance
toward the place where they stood in earnest conversation.
"I do believe John is telling him about the copper box; and by the way,
he has never spoken about that since we took it out of the cave. That is
just what he is doing; see, he is indicating the size of it."
Harry laughed, as he answered: "I am satisfied they will not do anything
rash, without consulting us," and George laughed at Harry's view of the
case.
They had been absent from the island a little over a month. During their
absence the new hotel was completed and was now in running order. This
became the headquarters for the visitors. While it was only two stories
in height, it contained nearly a hundred rooms, and the utmost effort
was made to make all of them comfortable.
The boys had their own rooms, and could not be induced to give them up.
John and the Professor also maintained their old rooms, which were most
comfortable, and attached to the Professor's apartments was a large room
where the people came daily to see him and consult about their many
wants.
He never failed to see them. It mattered not who called, it was
unvarying custom to greet all alike. The affection for him in the minds
of the people grew stronger day by day.
There were now five of the Chiefs on Wonder Island permanent residents
in Unity. A great change had come over the feelings of the people with
respect to the ownership of land. When the town was laid out, and the
people began to flock to the place, attracted by its many advantages,
it began to look for a time as though the different Chiefs soon would
find themselves without subjects.
In addition to this the Professor recognized that too many of the people
were expecting to be put to work in the city, and this would cause
agriculture to be abandoned, whereas it was obvious that they must
depend upon the soil for sustenance.
John and the Professor therefore developed a plan which would be the
means of keeping the people in their own sections, or, at least,
encourage them to till the ground.
The Chiefs in Wonder Island owned the soil. Their people reserved to
themselves the right to hunt and to gather the fruits and nuts necessary
to sustain life. But they had no right whatever, independently of the
Chiefs.
The first step, therefore, was to gain the consent of these rulers to a
division of the land, so that all their people might have farms. Uraso
and Muro were the first to agree to the plan, and it was quickly
followed by all except the Tuolos and the Illyas.
The Chiefs themselves, under this plan, were to receive one quarter of
the acreage, and of the residue, one-third was to be turned into what
was called a state fund, to be used for schools and for administrative
purposes, while the balance was to be given to the people, who were to
select their own land.
For the purpose of enabling proper deeds to be made, it was necessary to
make a survey of the islands, and this had been completed six months
previously, so that many of the people who now understood that the lands
selected belonged to them, and could not be taken from them without
their consent, were only too happy to consent to remain on their own
land.
But here another problem presented itself. It was desirable that the
people should build homes on these farms, and Blakely and John evolved
the plan to provide certain quantities of lumber, at a low price, to be
paid for from the products of the land. This had a most stimulating
effect, and applications were coming in from every quarter. As a result
small saw mills were put up in the territorial limits of each of the
tribes, so that it was an easy matter for the people to get the lumber
near home.
But that which taxed the energies of Blakely most, was to provide the
farming implements and the seed and instruction necessary to start them
on the way. As it was impossible to provide all the tools and implements
required for this purpose, Blakely had recourse to the States, and by
inserting a few advertisements in the agricultural papers throughout our
country, it was not long before the implements were forthcoming, all of
which were paid for from the reserve fund which had been provided.
And now another thing of the utmost importance happened. It was noised
about from Maine to California that there was an immense opportunity to
make money in the now well-known Wonder Island. Every return trip of the
_Wonder_ from the nearest South American port, brought Americans, with
funds to invest in plantations and in setting out coffee trees and
banana groves.
Many Americans came from the great ranches of South America,
particularly Brazil, which furnishes full three-fourths of all the
coffee of commerce. These men went through the islands and began the
barter for the lands.
At first this was encouraged, but it was soon, discovered that the
shrewd, and, more frequently than otherwise, the unscrupulous traders
were cheating the unsophisticated people, so that the Professor had to
take a firm hand, and declare that no transfers would be made until the
sales had been investigated.
This made the prices of lands go up by leaps and bounds, and the
Professor told the people that they should not sell their holdings, as
it would be much better for them to own and till the farms than to sell
them and then work for the owners.
All this tended to make the people appreciate that they really owned
something--that they had wealth and power within their grasp. Then
began, or rather was carried out more systematically, the founding of
schools, and by many means the parents themselves were induced to attend
the schools.
All were taught English. With the large funds that the state had
obtained in selling a portion of the state lands, the Professor sent for
teachers from the United States, and these came prepared to take up the
work all over the island.
The most interested workers were the Korinos, as they were called on
Rescue Island, and Krishnos on Wonder Island. The Professor's first
work, after the conquest of the savages, was to educate those people for
teaching, and in this they were found to be very efficient workers.
The Korinos brought from Rescue were placed under the tuition of the
Krishnos, and it was surprising to see how happily they regarded their
lot, and what progress they made after they understood what was
required.
Although we have not a full account of all the products shipped from
Wonder Island during the first six months, it might be stated that
during the last thirty days, the shipments from the port of Unity,
comprised 60,000 pounds of coffee, eighteen tons of bananas, and six
hundred quintals of spices, besides over four hundred tons of fibres, of
which jute formed one-half.
It is estimated that within another year, when many of the large
plantations should be ready to yield their products, that amount would
be increased to such an extent that several additional ships would be
necessary to carry the tonnage.
The foregoing is particularly instanced to show what John could point
out to the Chiefs who were now their guests, and to impress upon them
the necessity and value of adopting such a land system as they had
established.
Ephraim readily understood and approved of the plan, but it was not so
easy for Ta Babeda, and Beralsea. At the quiet suggestion of John the
opportunity was made whereby they were constantly thrown into contact
with the resident chiefs. Within a week they accepted the suggestions
and a half dozen surveyors were commissioned to go to the islands and
take up the work of surveying the lands, and making records, which were
to be put into such form that the Chiefs would understand them.
One day Ephraim, in conversation with John said: "I want my boys to
remain with you until they receive their education. I see that the
opportunities for work are unlimited, and I would also like to send over
a number of young men for the same purpose."
"Your decision pleases us immensely," said John, "and I have been
wondering why your daughter would not also like to remain for a time, as
there is much she can learn that will be of great help to you."
Ephraim was silent for a while, while he looked at John, and he finally
answered: "That means my wife will remain here also. But that has my
hearty consent. It will be for their good, and for the good of my
people."
It was not long before Ta Babeda heard of Ephraim's decision, and he
adapted the same course to the delight of his children. As for Beralsea,
his favorite daughter was already the wife of the Chief Sutoto, of the
Berees, and it was certain that she would remain in Unity, so that there
was no difficulty in getting his consent to sending his children and
others who would carry on the work of education.
But the boys had not, in the meantime, forgotten their factory. The old
water wheel was still there. Money could not purchase it, and they would
not permit its removal. It was the same old crude wheel built nearly
three years before at the Cataract, at the other end of the island, not
more than two miles from the rocky shore where the sea gave them up.
After the return there had been so much to see and to learn, about the
new developments, and the visitors required so much attention that the
boys quite forgot the copper box, and to inquire about the condition of
the paralyzed man who was found at Hutoton.
"The Professor has just told me," remarked John, "that the old man is
improving, and hopes that within another month he will be able to talk."
"Has he any idea of what his name is?"
"Not in the least. He keeps mumbling something about _the triangle_, or
something of that kind, but that is, of course, unintelligible."
"I understand Retlaw is improving, also?"
"Yes; we have thought of bringing the two men together, as soon as the
paralytic is so improved that he can talk."
"I have often wondered what kind of a disease paralysis is?" inquired
Harry.
"Paralysis is not a disease of itself. It is merely a sign of some
disorder of the nervous system. It may be shown by complete disability
on one side of the body, or in some particular portion, and only certain
sets of nerves may be affected."
"But what seems so singular is, that he is not only unable to speak but
he cannot move about."
"The form of paralysis, which affects the memory, is called _dementia
paralytica_, and attacks the brain, while some portion of the body also
may be affected."
"Isn't it curable?"
"There is little hope for a permanent cure. If the attack should come on
suddenly it is the most dangerous. Where it seems to approach gradually,
there is more likelihood of being able to check it."
"In what way is there an improvement in the old man?"
"So far as the bodily ailment is concerned he is gaining. When he was
brought back he was unable to utter a single word, nor could he move
himself in any way, except with one arm, and that only to a small
degree. Now he is able to shuffle along, across the room, and sometimes
tries to say something, which is not distinct. The only thing which thus
far seems intelligible is the word _triangle_, as I have stated."
"Harry spoke about the copper box this morning. Have you opened it yet?"
asked George.
"Oh, no! I wouldn't think of doing it unless you were present. The
Professor and I have had several talks about it, but we have all been so
busy that the matter has been deferred from time to time. I hope we
shall be able to get at it to-night."
While thus engaged in conversation the Professor appeared, smiling and
happy. The boys greeted him affectionately, as was their custom always.
"Do you want to make a visit with me?" he asked.
"Yes; where?" asked George.
"We will go out on B Street first," he answered.
Together they passed the large school house, and crossed the open
square, and entered the most beautiful of all the streets, the one laid
out with rows of trees along the curbs, and flower beds along the middle
portion of the driveway.
"Can you guess where we are going?" asked the Professor.
"No."
"Do you see the newly-painted house to the right?"
"Is that where Sutoto lives?"
"Yes; there is Cinda. Isn't she happy, though?"
They went in and were accorded a happy welcome. Her father, the Chief,
Beralsea, and her mother, Minda, were there, but Sutoto was absent.
"And where is the bridegroom?" asked the Professor.
"He is in the yard somewhere. I will call him." And she tripped out the
steps, merry as a lark.
Sutoto came in, and the boys simply shouted at his appearance. He was
covered with dirt and grease, and made no great effort to conceal the
fact.
"And what have you been up to?" asked George.
"Come out and I will show you."
In the little "garage," if it might be so termed, was an auto, one which
Sutoto had purchased and brought back with him on his wedding trip. "I
was going to send for you," he said, addressing Harry, "because I have
been having trouble with the carbureter."