Uraso stepped forward and went up to the burly form, and pressed his nose against his nose. Then, he spoke a few words. The Chief looked at him for a moment, and then answered. Muro was not slow to follow the example, and he also addressed the Chief.
When Uraso turned and took John's hand and in a dialect, which both seemed to understand, he told about John and the boys, the Chief turned to his men and said a dozen words, which were instantly recognized by Uraso and Muro. They smiled.
"What did he say?" asked George.
"He told them to go to the village and prepare food."
All but a half dozen of the immediate followers of the Chief turned and darted back to the village.
"Do you know the Chief's language?" asked Harry, as Uraso gave way to Muro.
"We can understand each other pretty well. There are many words which are the same, but he uses some which are new to me."
"Do you suppose they are the same people as are on our island?"
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"I do not know that. We have heard that all the people in the different islands came from the same place, but where we do not know."
Then the boys crowded around George, and insisted on having him tell his story. Did you ever hear a boy tell a thrilling story of his own adventures? Well George was in his heaven of delight as he told of his treatment, and how he had dined with the Chief, and slept in his palace.
"His palace?" queried Harry.
"Yes, palace! It isn't a common house!" And George dilated on it to such an extent that Harry actually grew envious at the big time that George had at their expense.
The party wended its way down the hill, and when the village was reached the sight there astounded George. He had left it a sleepy place. Now all was bustle. Fires were being built; the men and women were busy preparing food. A species of hog, well known on Wonder Island, was being prepared and spitted, and hung over the heated coals.
They saw the favorite native vegetable, the Taro root, and also, to their surprise, an abundance of Uraso's poison bulb, the Amarylla, which he had tried to prepare in stealth after he had been captured, and the telling of which was the occasion of many jokes at the expense of George and Harry.
John, the two boys, together with Uraso and Muro, were ushered into the Chief's house.
"And this is what you call a 'palace'?" remarked Harry.
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"Why not?"
"From your description I thought it might be on top of a big hill with graded steps leading up between rows of flowers, and the rooms filled with statuary, with a large fountain playing in the center of a fine banquet hall."
George laughed at the joke. "The trouble with you is that you are not a philosopher, Harry. If you had been as well treated as I have been you would think the same as I do."
John overheard the conversation, and remarked: "I must say that there is more philosophy in that view than even you, George, appreciate."
"Have I said anything unusual?" he asked with a sort of mock gravity.
"Quite so; have you ever heard the saying 'Handsome is, as handsome does'? Well, that is the root of all true actions in life. From the noble manner in which this Chief treated George, giving him the best that he had, and installing him in the finest room in the house, is doing all that any one can do."
"That is the way I really felt about it at the time. I was tired and hungry, and instead of meeting an enemy, I met a friend."
"Do you see, Harry? George did right in calling this a palace. If it so appears in his heart, and he feels that impulse, isn't that just as real as though you see it with your eyes?"
"I didn't think of it in that way," said Harry, apologetically. "I like the old fellow. He is good enough to be a white man."
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Withinan hour the feast was ready, and the men in the open were already making merry with the maidens who prepared the meal. George and Harry frequently nudged each other, as they caught the eyes of some of the native boys who were very attentive to the gentler sex.
Within the Chief's dwelling there was the most animated conversation indulged in by the Chief, Uraso and John, and to this number were added the Chief's brother, and a handsome man who was probably one of the Chief's principal advisors. Muro and Uraso were the interpreters.
The latter, by turns, told the Chief where they sailed from, and what their history had been for the past three years. They told about the wonderful Professor, and all concerning John, and what part the two boys had taken in the transformation of the island.
"But where is this wonderful ship?" asked the Chief.
"On the other side of the island," answered Uraso.
"Then why do you not bring it here?"
"We should have done so, but we did not know we had a friend here."
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"I want to see the wonderful place you have told me about,—your home, and how you make people happy," said the Chief.
John's face lit up when this was interpreted to him.
"What do your people work at?" the Chief abruptly asked Muro.
"We make many curious things, like the articles you have here," and he pointed to George's belongings, which were still lying about.
The Chief hurriedly gathered them up and handed them to George. The latter, after turning to John, refused to take them, and addressing Uraso, said: "Tell him that I want him to take them, and my gun, as well."
The Chief could not understand this, and at first refused, but John, as well as Uraso, insisted, and the latter said:
"These boys can make these things, and they do not feel that they are sacrificing anything, beyond what it is their duty to do."
The Chief looked doubtfully at the boys, as he remarked: "Do you tell me that thesememees, (Boys) made these things?"
Uraso and Muro both assured them that such was the case, and added: "And still more wonderful things."
After some conversation Uraso turned to John and said: "The Chief wishes to send a runner to bring the ship to the harbor here. Hasmo may accompany him."
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This arrangement had John's approval, and when Hasmo was advised of the mission, he jumped up with delight, and, together with the Chief's fleetest messenger, speeded off to make the intervening twenty-five miles.
It was not much of a task for the two men. In less than four hours, Sutoto saw two men on the shore, one of them waving a signal that he understood. A boat was put off, and when the runners came aboard, and the news imparted, all on board sprang to their places, the anchor was hurriedly taken up, and thePioneersoon rounded the point, while they all eagerly scanned the shore.
The Chief and his visitors remained in the "palace" for three hours, while the latter told and retold the stories which so much interested the chieftain. Then John began to question him upon matters that more nearly concerned their visit.
"Ask him," he said, "if they have any Krishnos here?"
"He does not know what they are," answered Muro.
"Does he believe in a Great Spirit?"
"No he has never heard anything of that kind."
"Ask him if he knows who makes the rain and the sunshine, and the clouds."
"He says that the questions are surprising to him."
"Has he never thought of those things?"
"No; all he knows is that he lives and that he is a Chief and is the one who must govern the people."
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"Does he know why he is the Chief?"
"Yes; because he is stronger than any one else."
"That would certainly make him a Chief," remarked Harry. "I never saw such a big man."
"Do they have any big holes in the ground!"
When the question was asked he waited a moment, and then slowly shook his head.
"They have nothing of that kind to his knowledge."
The countenances of Harry and George fell. John noticed it, and smiled at the disappointment.
"There are no caves around here," said George.
"Are there any mountains on the island?"
"There are high hills."
"Have they any neighbors, or different tribes?"
"Yes; to the north, (pointing in that direction) are some bad people, but they belong to him."
"Why do they not live near to the village!"
"Because they would make the people bad."
"What did they do that was so bad?"
"They stole and lied."
"From whom did they steal?"
"From the Chief."
"Did they steal from each other?"
"No; they could not steal from each other."
At this remark the boys laughed. John began to be interested now in his questionings.
"Do you mean it is not wrong to steal from each other, but only from the Chief?"
He nodded an assent. This was a curious bit ofp. 129reasoning. It needed some explanation. John continued:
"Why is it wrong to steal from the Chief and not from each other?"
At this question the Chief did not answer as promptly as usual. He weighed the question in his mind. He smiled as though to say: How can it be wrong for people to take things from each other? They do not own anything. No one but the Chief owns things.
His answer, when finally given, was not at all clear, at least so the boys thought.
"The Chief in his wisdom gives to all alike; and when he gives it the property still belongs to him and not the people; but if they take it from the Chief then they are robbers."
"Ask him," said John, "whether, if when he gives anything to one of his people, and it still belongs to him, after he gives it, why it is not stealing from him, if some one takes it away from the one he gave it to?"
The Chief was not at all taken aback at this question. Pointing to the sun, he said:
"That is a great Chief. He gives seed to the people, and they plant it. But the great Chief does not forget it. The seed comes up to see its father. It still belongs to him. When he gives that seed to the people it is for their use. Every one has a right to take it and use it, and it is no crime. But if he takes it away from the Chief, he destroys what belongs top. 130him, and he then does a wrong which must be punished."
"This may not be very clear to you," said John, "but it means that whoever takes it away and destroys it wilfully, is guilty of a crime. Whatever the Great Chief gives willingly, like the fruits of the earth, is intended for all alike, and men should not be called criminals for taking what they need, if they do not wilfully destroy it."
"That is a wonderful idea, when I come to think of it," remarked George. "And to think that a savage could work that out in his mind."
"But there is one thing that looks a little queer to me. He said he did not know or believe in a Great Spirit, and yet he talks of the sun as a Great Spirit," remarked Harry.
"I will put the question to him," said John. "You said that you did not believe in a Great Spirit, but now you speak about the sun as a Great Chief. Do you not believe in him?"
"No; I only know that he is there; I do not believe in him any more than in the carago (moon)."
A great noise was heard outside; the Chief looked up, as an attendant entered. He spoke to Uraso, and the latter turned to John and said:
"Our ship is coming."
This announcement broke up the interview. It was exciting and interesting from first to last, and when they emerged from the dwelling the host and visitors were friends that the future never could sever. It gave a new inspiration to the boys, and itp. 131showed them that even a low state of man was capable of expressing things that were worthy of consideration.
The entire village went to the seashore. The inhabitants wondered at the great vessel, and were impressed at the manner in which it was handled.
"I am anxious to see the man who can row such a vessel," said the Chief.
"He is one of the men from our island," answered Muro.
This seemed to be an astonishing thing to him. He had seen vessels before, but in the distance. At long intervals parts of ships had come ashore; but this was the first time that a vessel had ever landed, within his recollection.
As it drew near he marveled at its size. He could see the man at the bow-sprit who was constantly throwing something attached to a line overboard, and then drawing it in again.
He questioned the reason for such a strange action, and was told that the man was trying the depth of the water, so that they might not come too close to the shore, and strike the bottom. Then some of the sailors dropped something overboard, with a great splash, and a huge sail fell down like magic, and the ship still moved toward the shore and turned around.
The Chief was inquisitive concerning every action. Why did the ship act like a human and turn around? He could hardly believe the statement when told that the anchor was a giant claw, and that when it reached the bottom it took hold and had sufficient strengthp. 132to stop the ship and make it swing around, as he had witnessed.
A boat was lowered, and the last one to descend was Sutoto. Uraso pointed out his figure, and the Chief kept his eyes on him. The first man to leave the boat was Sutoto, and both boys rushed down to meet him. It was the course they always pursued, to be in the lead to welcome anyone.
They led him to the Chief, and he put his great arms about Sutoto, to the latter's great embarrassment. But what affected Sutoto more than anything else, were the eyes of the Chief's daughter, who had acted so shyly to George the night before. From that moment Sutoto saw no one else, and she,—well, Harry and George laughed, and slyly caressed Sutoto, as they saw her admiring glances.
Sutoto was the handsomest native on Wonder Island. He was the brave and fleet runner who undertook the mission to pass through the three savage tribes to carry a message, written on a plaintain leaf by the Professor, to John and the boys while they were surrounded by the hostiles.
The friendship between him and the boys grew stronger and better from that day on. The tribute to him was one which the boys enjoyed for his sake, and because he deserved it.
There was a feast that night, unparalleled in the knowledge of the boys. It was like going to a new world, and meeting new people. Only one little thing seemed to mar the joyous occasion for the boys for a time. When they were returning from the beach,p. 133they saw three of the natives, together with their wives and children, with their hands bound, and in charge of a half dozen warriors.
George recognized the three as his captors. Then was impressed upon him the fact that they were about to pay the penalty for stealing his things and hiding the theft from the Chief. They were to be exiled to the place where the bad people lived.
George hurriedly told Uraso the story of the theft, and begged him to intercede with the Chief. Instantly, when he learned that George requested it, he turned to Uraso, and said: "He may release them."
He rushed up to the now bewildered culprits, in order to sever the bonds, and then recalling that he had given his knife to the Chief, he called to Harry, and together they freed the limbs of the captives and the Chief, with a few words of admonition, dismissed them. The boys never forgot the grateful looks that came from the men and their wives.
When they had departed Muro said: "Under their law the women and children of the culprits are criminals also, and so they were doomed to go together."
It would be a difficult matter to describe the food prepared and eaten at this banquet. Several varieties of fowl, all wild types, and the wild boar, as well as the 'possum, provided the meats. Of course taro and amarylla were the chief vegetables; and of nuts, the well known Brazil species was found everywhere, and to be seen in all dwellings.
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The outer portion of the shell of the Brazil nut formed bowls and cups, which the boys early learned to utilize. There were bananas, a species of fig, and loquats.
"What surprises me is that they have no fish, or sea food of any kind," observed Harry.
John mused for a while, and then said: "It is likely that the people here have the same aversion to fish as some natives along the Australian continent, and in the islands near there."
"What is that?" asked George.
"The natives of New Guinea, for instance, worship snakes, lizards, sharks and crocodiles, and there is a strict law among them not to injure anything, of that kind. As a result, they are afraid to eat anything that approaches the shape of these animals."
"Well, if they worship the snakes they must have some kind of religion," ventured Harry.
"Yes; and with them go the witch doctors who practice on the people and charge fees just the same as the physicians do in our country."
"Do they claim there is a Great Spirit, like some of the people here!"
"No; they have a God called Baigona, who lives in the mountains, and instead of being a good God, is a bad one; he has the power to speak without being heard, to strike without being seen, and he loves and hates, just like human beings. He gives the witch doctor the power to do anything, without being wrong, and without being liable to punishment."
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"Well, that is a pretty convenient God to have," said Harry, as he mused at the idea.
The peculiar thing about the absence of sea food at the banquet could not be understood, particularly as the natives on Wonder Island were great fish eaters, and were also the bitter enemies of snakes.
"We must consult the Chief about that," said John.
At the first opportunity the subject was brought up, and it was discovered that the people were afraid to eat anything that came from the sea. And then another thing was learned. There were no rivers of any consequence on the island; only a few streams, that were dry most of the year.
"I can understand," said John, "that in such a case you do not have fresh water fish."
The Chief was, in many respects, a remarkable character. Most natives are extremely superstitious, and it is particularly true of those who have a belief in some form of God. While he would marvel at new things they did not occur to him as being the result of some new occult force.
In this respect he differed from the natives of Wonder Island, all of whom believed, more or less, in the tales of the Medicine Men, and of the witch doctors. Old Suros, of the Berees tribe, was the only one who did not believe in the existence of a being who could rule him.
But the Chief had other qualities which were remarkable in a savage, if such he was. He governedp. 136according to some law, and yet he did not know what law was. The only thing in that community was the will of that one man.
If he said something, in adjusting any matter, it was always remembered by the people, and that ruling became a guide for them in the future. Take, for instance, the theft of the articles from George. The three who participated in it, knew that it was not wrong, according to the light they had, to take it from George.
Indeed, the Chief had distinctly said that they could not steal from each other, but only from him, hence the theft of the articles which George owned was not a crime. On what ground, then, were they guilty?
George thought he had solved the problem, when discussing the matter with John. "The Chief found them guilty of trying to hide what they had done, and they were caught at it."
"But the Chief was not covetous. He admitted he did not care for the things, and one of the men told Muro that the Chief never took things from his people without paying for them."
"Well, then, he punished them for trying to deceive him."
"There, that is one of the crimes which the Chief referred to. I think he is a wonderful character, and I hope we shall be able to unite him with us."
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Itwas 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 usedp. 138these 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?"
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"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."
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"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, thismoney, 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.
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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."
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"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 tracep. 143of the other boat load, that is of the boys who came ashore on theInvestigator'sNo. 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,p. 144more 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.
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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 thePioneer, 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 misp. 146sion 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: "Itp. 147is necessary for thePioneerto 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 thePioneerto 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.
p. 148
Thepresent journey reminded the boys of the time when they began their wanderings in the unknown wilds of their own island. Then they were inexperienced, lacking the most ordinary knowledge of life in the open, afraid of slightest noise when in unknown places, and constantly fearing attack by wild men or beasts.
What a difference now! They had been successful, and had abundant treasures at their command. Something told them that they were to find still greater treasures, and the zest was one beyond expression.
The course was directed due north. The boys knew that they were to investigate the mountains, the hills and the streams. They were to learn what fruits and vegetation might be found in their native state on the island; the kinds and varieties of animals, and the qualities of the minerals, if the geological formations offered them for inspection.
From the first day that they landed, the boys had heard a peculiar guttural sound, impossible to describe. The sound was almost annoying after they had heard it for a time. Passing the limb of a tree during the first hour of the march they heard the same cry.
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"I see what it is," remarked George. "It is a bird. See it on that limb?"
John looked, and then turned to George. "Why certainly, that is the Kagu."
"Why its bill and feet are red, while the rest of the body is gray. What a funny feather it has running back from its head!"
Harry laughed, as he remarked: "I wonder if our women took their hat fashions from the Kagu?"
Fig. 8. The Kagu.Fig. 8.TheKagu.
"You have made a correct observation. Some species of the hornbill have feathers which project up into the air like sentinels, and the same feathers are used in exactly the same fashion by makers of millinery. Now, I am not an authority on the fashions, but I have often thought that if the leaders in styles would build those wonderful head decorations something like the patterns furnished by nature they would be more beautiful and becoming."
"I wonder if it has only one leg?"
John laughed. "I imagine it has two. It is the custom of many birds of this species to stand for hours on one leg. It is of the same family as the stork, the heron and the ibis."
"Why don't we see more animals?"
p. 150
"The island is not, probably, large enough. These small islands have only the smallest kinds. Besides, the larger animals are found where the nature of the country permits them to conceal themselves."
George stopped before a large bush which had rows of yellow flowers growing up all along the stems, and at each flower was a seed.
"Ah! you have found a most valuable plant," said John, as he broke off one of the stems. "Feel the crushed leaves."
"It is just like grease."
"It is an oil. It is one of the products largely used in the United States, as a substitute for olive oil, and for soap making."
"What is it called?"
"The plant is known as Benne. The product is Sesame oil. The peculiarity of the plant is that nearly one-half of the leaf is a pure oil, and it can remain exposed a long time before it turns rancid."
"I wonder if that is what they use in their cooking!"
"Yes; it is absolutely inodorous, and is better than lard for table uses. Look at the seeds. They are classed with the most nutritious in the world."
"The Chief had them, and I tried some of them the first night I dined with him."
The route led to an upper plateau, well wooded, many of the trees being of the palm variety, with plenty of silver-leafed families so common everywhere.
"Do look at the Coffee trees?" exclaimed Harry.
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The Chief's son was consulted. He had no knowledge of the use of the berry. "We must take a lot of the berries back with us. This will be a treat at the celebration." John stopped short, and the boys commenced to laugh. He had almost given away the scheme for the wedding feast. Sutoto did not catch the force of the allusion.
George and Harry were now on the quest for new things in every direction, and the natives aided them in carrying out their every wish. After they had reached a small stream flowing to the north it became evident that they had passed the highest point of the plateau, and were now descending.