THE SAVAGES AT UNITY
The boys were simply wild with delight, and George commenced to laugh
immoderately, after viewing the brightly-polished machine.
"What is the matter? Anything wrong? Is it upside down?" asked Sutoto.
"No; I was just thinking how funny it seems that one of the wild savages
of the island should be the first to import an automobile."
Sutoto didn't in the least mind this allusion to his former condition,
but the boys were the only ones who dared to jest with him in this
manner. He joined in the laugh, but quickly replied:
"But I am not the only one favored in this way."
"Why not?"
"I know some other people who are indulging in pleasure cars also."
"Who is that?"
"Well, Blakely has one, a fine little car he calls a 'runabout.'"
"He never said anything about it. Then he brought one over for John, and
another for the Professor, but you must keep quiet; they are not to know
anything about it."
"Then there are two more machines down there that have queer names on
them, because the fellows themselves are peculiar, and are awfully
civilized," said Sutoto, with a faint attempt at a smile.
Harry laid down the wrench and turned to Sutoto. "What are the names?"
he asked, for the first time interested.
"On one it says 'Mayfield,' and 'Crandall' on the other." And Sutoto
said this without cracking a smile, or indicating that he really knew
who the names applied to.
Probably, no one on the island, at least among the natives, really knew
the boys by any other designation than George and Harry. The surnames
were of no use. Sutoto was simply "Sutoto," and no more, and so with
Uraso and Muro.
The Professor and the old Chief heard the hilarity, and were soon out of
the house, and although the boys and Sutoto tried to push the machine
behind the garage, they were too late for the Professor's quick eye.
He laughed when he saw the commotion. "It is all right; if I were not so
old, I would get one myself."
"That's just the time you need it," said Harry. "By the way," he
continued, "I will bring it around to your place this afternoon."
"Bring what?" asked the Professor.
"Your car; of course." And Sutoto and the boys laughed at the
Professor's discomfiture.
"I thought there was some job about to be put up on me. I wondered why
Blakely tried to keep me out of the warehouse yesterday."
But while this merry scene was taking place, five new machines were
coming along B Street, with Blakely in the first one, and a competent
chauffeur in each of the others.
"The first is yours, Harry, and the next one, with the red body is
yours, George," said Blakely. "I thought we should surprise you."
"Why, there is John, too!" exclaimed Sutoto.
"Yes; he is in his car; he was greatly surprised. But the Professor's
car is a neat one; don't you think so?"
The boys had no ears for any one or for anything. Each was a forty-horse
power roadster, while the Professor's car had a five-passenger body, was
handsomely upholstered, and equipped with particularly easy-riding
springs. John's machine was equally well built, and after the boys had
made a full examination of their own treasures, they investigated the
other cars, and marveled at their beauty and appearance of comfort.
The procession of the machines naturally attracted the people who came
from all directions to witness the wonder wagons which ran by
themselves. They crowded around, and listened to every comment. The old
Chief was the one most excited at the strange things.
Neither Sutoto nor Cinda had informed them of the autos, because it was
intended to have quite a surprise party, and it was afterwards learned
that Blakely and Sutoto had planned to give all of them a surprise. The
fact that the Professor and the boys, having gone to Sutoto that
morning, were absent from their homes, precipitated to disclosure, so
that John was found and together they went to Sutoto's house.
You may be sure that it did not take the boys long to learn the
mysteries of the machines, and they were with Sutoto, until he got the
hang of the motor, and could spin along as fast as any of them.
The old Chief was finally induced to get into the Professor's machine,
and the latter instructed the driver to proceed slowly. Minda, who was
with them, was the braver of the two, by far. The speed was about six
miles an hour, at which the Chief marveled.
Then, gradually, the driver speeded up, until they were making a
comfortable speed of fifteen miles an hour. As confidence increased the
pleasure grew stronger, and before they returned on the first trip he
was as determined as could be to have one for his own use.
Blakely took note of his wish, and said: "I shall see to it that on the
return trip one of the machines will be shipped to you, but it will be
two weeks before the _Wonder_ comes in."
From that day on Sutoto had his hands full entertaining the Chief, but
the boys relieved him of much of this, by taking him from place to
place, where he saw the work going on in all parts of the beautiful
country, and witnessed the planting of the groves, the gathering of the
crops, and the way in which the produce was handled at the wharf.
Sutoto's home was a beautiful structure of five rooms, all nicely
furnished, the gift of the Professor. The boys enjoyed the visits there.
Sutoto was always a boy to them, and Cinda a happy bride,--and a woman
of whom any one might be proud.
When Beralsea, her father, decided that his children must remain and
attend the schools there, the adjoining cottage was prepared for them,
and Minda consented to stay, but Beralsea, who had now partaken of the
commercial instincts, under the tutelage of Blakely, was determined to
return at once and revolutionize the condition of affairs in Venture
Island.
That day he and Ta Babeda had a long conversation, and together they
visited John and Ephraim, and then called in Blakely. The boys were
present, of course, and it then turned out that they had agreed upon a
plan to start the agricultural work in the two islands conjointly, and
the only question which remained was to take care of the management of
the work.
Both of the Chiefs declared that they did not possess the qualifications
to direct the work, and Ephraim pleaded age as the reason why it would
be impossible to undertake the burdens.
"I have an idea," he said, "that the best solution would be to make
George and Harry the managers for the islands. I have been with the boys
for some time, and see what they are capable of, and every one would be
glad to work under them."
The boys were, of course, somewhat confused at the encomium, and the
Professor came to their rescue. "These are my boys," he said. "I have
known them ever since they came to the island. They have been with me
under every condition of service. We have had hours and days of
pleasure, and of trials, such as few have undergone, and always,
whatever the circumstances, they have been manly, and never gave up,
although sometimes things seemed hopeless.
"You have seen how, through their ingenuity, they have built the water
wheel, the mills and the factories. Fortune has been kind to them; they
do not need the money that may come to them, as they have found riches
here, far greater than you know, but they have loved the work, for the
pleasure it has brought them, and it is for them to decide."
"Harry and I have talked about these things many times," answered
George. "When we first came to the island, we had nothing. For our own
preservation we set about to better our condition, began to build the
things necessary to maintain life, and to protect ourselves.
"What at first was a necessity, later became a pleasure, because we
could see, day after day, how we built the shop and the machinery out of
the crude things; it would be hard to leave that work now."
Harry approvingly nodded his head, as he responded: "I consider it a
pleasure to do anything which would help the people here. George and I
feel that it would be wrong to leave them, so long as we can be of
service to them.
"The money we have will not make us happy; that I know, unless we can
use it to do some good. And it is so with our time, also. I am as
willing to give that as money, because we have been amply rewarded and
now our duty is to the people here."
As a result of the conference it was agreed that George and Harry should
take up the management of the affairs on Venture and Rescue Islands,
they to decide which should be the particular sphere of each.
The Chiefs were immensely pleased at this arrangement, and the first
steps were taken to put their plans into execution.
John advised them that they should decide which island each would take,
and then each should cultivate the acquaintance of the young men that
the Chiefs should select, so that the administrative functions could be
instilled into them, and that they might be taught the business
qualifications necessary.
George laughingly remarked that as the Chief Beralsea had so
accommodatingly captured him, when they first arrived on the island, he
thought that their intimate acquaintance, which was so long prior to
Harry's should decide the matter in his favor, by taking Venture Island.
"That suits me all right. I have one advantage over you on Rescue
Island; and that is the caves. You haven't even an excuse for a cave."
"But I have Hutoton, that terrible place where the criminals live,"
retorted George, with a laugh.
"And that reminds me; what about the copper box?"
The boys wended their way to the Professor, and were delighted to find
John there. "Before we go we want to have the copper box opened,"
remarked Harry.
"I have just brought it around, in the machine," said John, as he
noticed the boys peering at it through the window.
"What is that in the package lying on the box?"
"Can't you guess?"
"No."
"Have you forgotten the skull with the inscription on it?"
"Do you mean the skull we found on the headland at the eastern end of
the island?"
"Yes."
"Why, what is that for? Do you think it has anything to do with the
box?"
"Probably not; but I was curious to examine it further in view of the
similarity of the chart and the inscription."
The boys could not possibly understand what was meant by such a
reference. While they were talking the Professor entered the room, and
remarked, "I have just come from the old fellow, and his reason is
returning under the treatment, and he is also better physically."
"Do you mean the paralytic?"
"Yes; but there is one thing which is singular, and that is the constant
muttering of the word _triangle_. This morning I could plainly
distinguish several other words, such as 'of' and 'three,' and 'very
well,' and parts of other words, showing that in time, if his
improvement continues, we may get more information."
"I have an idea," hurriedly shouted George as he broke for the door.
"Wait for me," he said, as he turned around and cast a glance back into
the room. "I will be back at once," were the last words they heard.
John laughed at George's precipitous flight. "I suppose he has just
thought of something that bears on the case. In the meantime, and while
George is away, you, Harry, might get a hammer and a cold chisel. We
may have to cut the top off."
Harry rushed out and taking John's machine was quickly at the shop,
where he secured a hammer and several cold chisels capable of cutting
the copper.
When he returned George was there, and was unfolding the paper scrap
which they found below the skull. "Probably, this will explain the
triangle," said George, as he pointed to the V-shaped mark. "The upper
part of it is very likely worn away, so that we cannot see it."
John smiled at the suggestion as he took the paper and carefully
examined it. "Your view may be correct," he responded.
"That looks like a suggestion of a line," said Harry, pointing to a
faint scratch near the upper margin.
The Professor's messenger came in hurriedly, and announced that the
paralytic had sent for him. "I will return by the time the box is
opened," said the Professor, as he hurriedly went out of the door.
"Now for the box," said Harry. The slitting chisel was applied, and he
dextrously cut along the top, under the directions of John.
"Direct the chisel downwardly, to see if there is any seam to be found
along the side," directed John.
"Yes; here is the place where the top was put on," shouted Harry.
"Why, it has been soldered," said George. "Well, that means business."
It was evident that the soldering was effectively done, because the
solder had run entirely through the seam, and it was really sweated on.
The copper used was about an eighth of an inch thick, and the soft and
ductile character showed that it was pure metal.
"Be very careful as you get around so as not to disturb the contents, by
the falling of the lid," said John.
It still adhered at various places, and this was carefully cut away by
one of the thin chisels, and the lid finally raised at one corner,
sufficiently to disclose a portion of the contents, which appeared to be
round and white, and resting near the center of the space.
All caught a glimpse of it, and involuntarily started back in surprise.
It was a skull, the counterpart of the one lying on the table which
contained the inscription.
"Open it wide," said John in a peculiar voice, and as he did so the
Professor rushed in and announced that the paralytic had recovered
speech, and he had ordered him to be brought in.
While the Professor was saying this, John was slowly raising the lid,
and by a quick motion tore it away, and the Professor was actually taken
aback at the sight before him. He gazed for a moment, and then muttered:
"And the same inscription too!"
All looked toward it in amazement, and while puzzling over its meaning,
the paralytic was helped in by two attendants. He came forward, saw the
two skulls, and before either could prevent it he collapsed and fell to
the floor, apparently lifeless.
He was gathered up and placed on a couch, and restoratives applied by
the Professor. He lay thus in a stupor for more than a half hour, but
soon returning consciousness began to manifest itself, and when he
opened his eyes, and glanced about, his lips began to move. Here the
Professor held up a warning hand, which he seemed to heed, for he
immediately closed his eyes, and was soon asleep, as his breathing
became regular, and the pulse began to act normally.
"There must be no more agitation now," said the Professor. "We can take
the box to the adjoining room." This was done, and John carefully lifted
the skull from its resting place, bringing with it a mass of other
material, which looked like brown or discolored parchment.
The skulls were placed side by side. They were singularly alike, the
inscription of the one found on the headland, was on the left side, and
the like figures of the one taken from the box were on the right side.
"That is a singular thing," said Harry.
"So it is," answered John, "but it doubtless has a meaning," he
continued.
Beneath the box, and attached to the wrappings, was a mass of material
which John eagerly seized, and began to unwrap, while the Professor
interestedly looked on. There was not the first sign of any treasure in
the box, and when the several folds of the parchment were unrolled, the
boys could see the hieroglyphics that the Professor and John so eagerly
scanned.
"Yes, yes, I knew you would come back," said the man in the adjoining
room, and John dropped the parchment and followed the Professor into the
room, where they saw the old man sitting on the couch and staring about
with an inquiring countenance.
"What is your name?" said the Professor.
He did not answer at first but looked at John and the Professor in
amazement.
"Why do you ask?" he then muttered, without changing his countenance. "I
have told you over and over," he continued.
"Do you know where you are?" asked John.
"Certainly. You may ask Walter about that."
"Walter? Do you know Walter?" asked George, almost involuntarily.
He smiled and nodded his head. "He is here. I saw him yesterday. I wish
he would explain." Then he dropped back on the couch and remained
motionless.
The effort to arouse him was useless, and the Professor advised
patience. There was something so peculiar about the whole situation that
it fascinated the boys. What did this man know about Walter? Possibly,
through him the great mystery, that commenced with the note in the seat
of their boat, would be explained.
After they came back to the island, Retlaw rapidly recovered, and was
frequently found wandering around the town. On several occasions he
called on the Professor. To the surprise of all he appeared at this
time, surprised to find John and the boys present, and appeared to be
terribly startled on seeing the two skulls.
The moment he saw the paralytic, he became agitated, and started for the
door. John barred the way, and said: "Do you know that man?"
In a hesitating voice, he answered: "Yes; I know him well. Where did you
find him?" and notwithstanding he saw the quiet figure he drew back with
an expression of fear and hesitancy.
George slyly drew forth the Walter note, referred to in the previous
volume, "Adventures on Strange Islands," and handed it to John. The
latter seized it and said: "Did you ever see this?"
He grasped the paper, and answered: "Where did you get this? Did he have
it?"
"No," replied the Professor; "we found it in a recess at the end of a
seat in our boat,--the one we made on this island, three years ago."
"I do not know how it could have gotten there. It was written to
Clifford,--"
"John B. Clifford?" asked Harry in excitement.
Retlaw turned, when he heard Harry. "Yes," was the hesitating answer.
"Do you know Walter?" asked John.
He did not reply, but glanced at all of them, and while doing so Harry
came forward, and said: "Isn't your name Walter?"
The man started back and held up his hand: "What makes you think so?" he
asked in alarm.
"Because _Retlaw_ reversed, spells Walter," answered Harry.
It was time for the Professor to show surprise at the acuteness of
Harry's conclusions. John took the cue at once. "Why are you trying to
deceive us?"
He dropped his eyes, and was silent, and then he slowly turned to the
quiet man.
John noticed the movement. "Who was the man tied to the vessel and
wrecked on the island to the south of us?"
This question by John produced an added agitation in the deportment of
the man. He was visibly affected by the question, but there was no
reply.
"As you do not feel disposed to answer our questions we must detain or
keep you in custody until Clifford recovers," said John, and motioning
to the boys, they gathered around him, and called in the attendants and
ordered the men to take charge of him.
As they were about to pass out the door, Ephraim ascended the steps and
was about to pass into the open door. He caught sight of the curious
group, and when his eye alighted on the figure on the couch, he drew
back for a moment, while his gaze remained fixed.
Then he calmly moved forward, slowly shaking his head from side to side,
and muttered: "That looks like Clifford, my companion on the ship, and
the one who aided me to gain a foothold on the spar. How did he come
here?"
"That is the man we found at Hutoton," said John. "But do you know this
man?" he asked, pointing to Walter.
Ephraim turned, and scrutinized his face. "No, I have never seen him, to
my knowledge."
Walter moved back with a sigh of relief, while John and the Professor
looked at each other with puzzled expressions.
"Then the man we found tied to the boat was not Clifford!" exclaimed
George.
John looked at Walter, and he saw him grow pale.
"Who was the man," he asked, in a threatening tone, as he approached
Walter. The latter hesitated. "We are determined to ferret out this
matter, and it will be to your advantage to tell us the whole story, for
we shall find it out sooner or later."
"I must have time to think," he answered, as he put his hands to his
head, and turned to Clifford.
"You may have until to-morrow, but in the meantime, we shall see to it
that you are kept within our sight," responded John, as he motioned to
the men to take him away.
As he left the door Harry said: "Why do you suppose he wanted time?"
John looked at Clifford for a moment, and answered: "Evidently, he had
hopes that Clifford would not survive."