Fig. 9. Sesame Oil Plant. The Benne.Fig. 9.SesameOilPlant.TheBenne.
One of the natives pointed out a peculiarly-shaped tree, tall, with immense leaves, and at each leaf cluster there was an immense white flower.
p. 152
"Here is a tree with yellow flowers. We must have some of these as specimens," said Harry.
The trees were exceedingly tall. "The men are asking if you want some of the flowers," said Sutoto.
"By all means," answered George. Without a moment's hesitation a young athlete made his way to the top, and gathered a dozen branches, which he dropped to the ground.
The beauty of these flowers is difficult to describe. The tree body is perfectly straight, and the limbs grow out uniformly on three sides, the leaves being very rough.
"This is a species which belongs to the Indicus family," remarked John, as he cut off one of the leaves. "It would be a good tree for carpenters to raise."
Fig. 10. Flower of Indica Tree.Fig. 10.FlowerofIndicaTree.
"Why so?" asked George.
"You see it is just like sand-paper."
"Well, that is something to know. But will it really smooth down wood?"
"It is frequently used for that purpose, and you might take some along and try it."
p. 153
At intervals John was observed taking up bits of soil, which he carefully wrapped up and deposited in one of the receptacles.
"I am curious to know what you are taking dirt for?" said Harry.
"I should have told you that a knowledge of the nature of the soil is one of the things that is very important to the agriculturist. Many men have made failures because they planted things which the earth was not adapted to grow."
"It has always been a wonder to me why things really do grow up out of the dirt," said Harry.
"That is not difficult to understand, if you will consider that the ground contains food, and that a plant can grow only where it can get the right kind. Then, there may be plenty of food but not the kind it can digest."
"Well, that is news to me. Do plants digest food?"
"Yes, just the same as what we call living animals. The tree is somewhat different from animals, in the particular that it digests its food first and then consumes it afterwards. In this particular certain larvæ act the same as trees, that is digest it before they consume it."
"What do you mean by larva?"
"The early form of certain living organisms, before they are fully developed. Thus, the tadpole is the larva of the frog. A great many insects are bred from what are called grubs, or caterpillars. All these are called larva."
p. 154
"What kind of food is found in the earth?"
"Many, many kinds. Carbon, nitrogen, the various salts, such as lime, magnesia, strontia, and the like, and when the little feelers shoot out from the roots, they are in search of something to eat."
At this point they were interrupted by shouting and laughter from one section of the searching party, and the boys ran out across the open to learn its cause. Two of the natives were carrying a dark brown object, about half the size of an ordinary hog.
It was kicking vigorously, but did not appear to be at all vicious.
"Why, it looks just like a little bear," said George as he danced about. "Let us keep it for a pet."
"It is a bear," said John. "It is the Bruang, or the sun-bear of the Malayan peninsula."
"But doesn't it grow any bigger?"
"No; that is a full size specimen; in fact, it is a pretty large specimen, I should judge."
"What beautiful fur, and so soft! Will it bite?"
"I am of the opinion they can bite, but they are easily tamed and make great pets. Hasn't it a fine white spot on its breast?"
The men stood about and allowed it to move about within the circle. It cast its eyes around, as much as to say: "Well, what are you going to do about it?"
George cried out: "Hold it for a minute," and he pounced on one of the provision bags, and brought out a pot of honey. He forced his way in among the watchers, and with a stick dipped into the honey held it up before the animal.
p. 155
It smelled the honey, and began to lick the stick, and then it darted for the pot. "What a tongue," exclaimed Harry.
"That is what they are noted for. The tongue is made for the very purpose of going into deep holes, and the greatest use is to rob the hives of the wild honey bee."
Fig. 11. Bruang. The Malayan Bear.Fig. 11.Bruang.TheMalayanBear.
The antics of George and the bear were most amusing to the watchers, and occasioned roars of laughter. When the pot was emptied he wanted more, and nosed around George until the latter could hardly keep his feet.
"He is getting to be a mighty close friend," said John, when he could find time to stop laughing for a moment.
p. 156
"Well, don't let him get away," cried George, as he saw the cordon around the animal broken up, leaving plenty of opening for it to get away.
But, of course, the natives didn't understand him, and soon Mr. Bear had all the opportunity in the world to go home. But he didn't. He walked alongside of George, and the latter liked to stroke his soft fur, to which no objection was offered.
The bear followed and was by his side every minute of the time for the next hour, and while they sat down to lunch little Sunny, as George named him, was at the feast. He had samples of everything in sight, and the menu tasted good, from honey at the beginning of the repast, to honey at the end of it.
The progress was necessarily slow, because there were so many things to examine and to make notes of. They went out of the way from the direct route, so as to cover as wide an area as possible. Before camping for the night they had ascended a slight elevation, and there, to the right and to the left they saw the wide stretches of the great ocean.
Directly ahead was a narrow tongue of land, leading to a broadening area, and off in the dim distance was a high point. The Chief's son pointed there and said:
"On the other side of that high place is where the bad people live."
"That must be a long way off," said John. When this was interpreted he answered: "Another day's march."
p. 157
The gentle breeze from the eastern shore was a great relief.
They had marched during the day mostly through forests, and everywhere the atmosphere was close and still, so that the open space was appreciated.
All slept soundly that night, and morning came only too soon for the wearied boys, but they enjoyed the trip too much to delay moving at the earliest opportunity. While breakfast was being prepared the boys sauntered over to the sloping shore to the west, which was not more than a half mile away.
They enjoyed walking along the pure white sand, and after disrobing had a jolly time in the mildly moving surf. It was not often that they had opportunities to take a sea bath.
The bathing place was a deeply-indented bay, with a long sloping beach,—an ideal spot, with the camp plainly visible to the east. "Why not take a stroll to the southern end of the bay?" remarked Harry, after they were ready to return. "We might be able to see the headland to the south where we first sighted land."
"Well, then, here goes it," and George started on a strong sprint to the south.
Harry was by far the fleeter, and reached the tufted grass ahead of George, and then turned to the right, to gain the elevation. It was while thus moving through the brush and débris, which was far above the normal level of the sea, that they were attracted by an unusual deposit of brush, and other accumulations.
p. 158
"Stop, Harry; here is something we ought to investigate."
Harry turned and came back. In the early days of their investigation such a mass would have meant diligent search. It was more from a recurrence of the old habit that dictated the idea to George.
It was well they did so, for not far from the top, and covered over with seaweed and leaves, was a boxlike structure, evidently some part of a wreckage. They worked feverishly at the surrounding mass, and uncovered it.
Harry started back. "Do you know what this is?" he asked. George stooped over, and stared.
"It is part of the boat which was taken from South River."
When that boat disappeared, only to be found miles away from its original location, the two boxlike compartments which they had made in it, and the oars used by them, had been taken away, and instead they found entirely different oars, and a rope, of which they knew nothing.
Here was one of the boxes. "Let's open it," said George in the most intense tone. That was easily done, and there they found, to their surprise, one of their original shell hatchets, part of a coarsely-woven cloth, which they recognized as one of their early productions on the first loom, and a dozen or more gourds, in which food had been placed, and all exactly as it had been stored away by them. The food had disappeared, of course, but it had been lost by the action of the sea, and decomposition, as it wasp. 159evident that the contents had not been disturbed by any one.
"Let us call John," said Harry, and he bounded up the beach, and ran over the crest, waving his arms as he did so. He had not gone half the distance before those at the camp saw Harry running, and John, and most of those in sight started on a run, George meanwhile industriously dragging away the débris.
"We have found it," cried Harry, as John came within hailing distance, and without waiting for them to come up he bolted back.
"Now what have you discovered?" asked John as he came up breathless.
"Part of our old boat."
"We thought George had met with some accident."
"We got this by accident," answered George. "See, here are some more things. This is the oar we had. How can you explain that?"
It was certainly a poser. Why the exchange of oars? John shook his head. For once he had no theory even to offer. "Come, boys, let us take away all this stuff."
All gave a hand, Sutoto wondering why there should be so much ado about a bit of wreckage. George explained the affair, as well as he could.
"What is that board?" exclaimed John. "No, not a board; that is part of a boat," he added as more of the accumulation was torn away.
"It's a boat; it's a boat!" almost shrieked George.
p. 160
"Come to this end and take away this lot of seaweed," called out Harry.
They soon uncovered a boat with one end embedded in the sand so it was difficult to turn it over, owing to the rotten condition of the wood. Only here and there was any paint visible. The action of the elements had done its work.
"What kind of a boat was this?" asked Harry.
John did not answer, but peered down on the sand where the prow had rested. "Take away the sand carefully here," he said, and when he pointed the boys saw something white protruding an inch or two.
As the sand was scraped away they first saw the thigh bone of a skeleton, and soon the whole frame was laid bare, the interstices filled with sand. A peculiar rope was around the frame, and John grasped it.
The boys eagerly looked at it as John intently examined it. "It is the same," he said.
"The same as what?" asked Harry.
"The same as the rope found on the boat when you discovered it on the beach."
That was the first time that the boys knew that John had any idea about the loss of the boat, or of the strange rope. It was possible, however, that the Professor had told John about it, as they were accustomed to talk over these strange things.
"But the boat?" asked George. "What do you think of the boat?"
"It is the exact counterpart of theInvestigator'sLife boat No. 3."
p. 161
TheChief's son was present. "Did you ever know of a boat load of castaways on the island?" asked John.
"We never knew of anything like that," was his reply.
Every scrap in that mass of wreckage was gone over. There was nothing else visible by which they could gain the slightest clue. The skeleton was minutely examined. It was that of a strong, well-developed man, but from all appearances one leg was shorter than the other.
The bones of the shortened leg were closely investigated. "The bones show that this man met with an accident in early life, or before he was fully grown, or, he may have had some disease before he attained full growth, so that his right leg is shorter because not fully developed," said John, as he continued the examination.
"He must have been a soldier or an adventurer, as he has three bullet marks, one here in the right shoulder, one in the ankle, and the other on the cheek bone. All of the wounds were healed before he met his death."
"But there is one thing which is still more remarkp. 162able. This man was a captive. He was tied in the boat and it was set adrift, and was likely on the open sea and washed ashore during one of the monsoons."
"Why do you think so?" asked Harry, as soon as he could recover breath after this announcement.
"This rope tells the story."
"But how does it happen that he and the boat were together. It seems to me that if the waves were high enough to bring the boat clear up to this point, he would be freed from the boat long before it reached this place."
"He was tied to the boat."
One mystery was solved, and another more terrible in its aspect came upon its heels. There was but one thing to do, and that was to bury the skeleton, and John ordered this done, as soon as he had taken the complete measurements of the remains.
"We don't want the box or the things in it now," said Harry.
"Indeed, I want the hatchet," answered George.
"Yes, and the rope," added John.
The boys went back to the camp with thoughtful expressions on their faces.
"This seems to be a Wonder Island, too," said George, more to himself than to any one else.
They descended the incline, and crossed the narrow neck of land that joined the two parts of the island. Beyond, as they advanced the ground grew more uneven and rugged. Occasionally rocks appeared, the first that they had noticed except around the place where George was captured.
p. 163
Nevertheless, vegetation grew in even greater profusion than on the other branch of the island. There were more berries upon which all the natives feasted, and the boys were not slow to pick them as they passed.
In traveling alongside of a hill Harry was the first to call attention to a peculiar leaf on a plant, which bore rose-shaped flowers. "This is something new to me. There is nothing like it on Wonder Island. Did you notice it, John?"
The latter took a branch, and gazed at it for a long time. "I am surprised to find this growing here. It is a plant well known in Palestine, and is called the Rose of Jericho."
"What a delightful perfume it has," said Harry.
Fig. 12. Rose of Jericho.Fig. 12.RoseofJericho.
"It is not noted on that account, however. It is theresurrectionplant."
"How singular; and in what way did it get that name?"
"It may be dried up entirely, and if placed in water it will again appear to revive and raise itself up. This is, of course, due to its power to absorb a vast amount of water. It is found near the shores ofp. 164the Dead Sea, and I recall that when I was in Jerusalem it was a common thing to see the plant in its dried-up state, sold to pilgrims who were instructed how to resurrect it."
Here was caught the second and only other animal on the trip. It was somewhat smaller than Sunny, and the latter danced about the dead animal, as the "boys" brought it in.
"And what is this big-eared fellow?" asked George.
John laughed as he recognized the apt description. "It is a kind of Australian kangaroo. It inhabits trees, but is very clumsy in appearance and in action. It is a kind of sloth, or wombat."
Fig. 13. The Koala.Fig. 13.TheKoala.
"Isn't that a dandy fur?"
"The fur is not so valuable as its skin. There is nothing to compare with the softness of the hide when tanned. It feels like the finest velvet, and is very strong and durable."
They were now ascending a series of hills, each more difficult than the last, and the ground became extremely rough and broken. There was a lone path, in many places nearly obliterated. It was the uninviting road to the land of sorrow.
p. 165
The Chief's son tried to be in the company of the boys at all times, and while he could not understand their chatter, Sutoto was a willing interpreter. He enjoyed the jolly freedom of the two chums, and their uniform good nature.
George and Harry were ever on the alert to make him feel at ease and so they talked with him, and told of the things which John explained, and it was plainly seen that he marveled at things which were described.
Referring to the exiled people, George asked: "Do those people never return after they are once condemned?"
"They are never permitted to come back."
"Do they stay there of their own free will?"
"No; I am told that they long to be at home again."
"Well, what would you do if they tried to come back?"
"We would drive them away. One time they tried to come back, all of them, and we had to kill some of them," and he said it in a tone of regret.
"Don't you believe in killing?"
He looked at George for a moment, and then looked up into Sutoto's eyes, as he said: "No; it would do no good. Would that be the right way?" he asked with a sort of innocence that brought a blush to George's cheeks.
"No; we do not believe in killing, except when we must to protect ourselves."
"But do you have to make such wonderful thingsp. 166as those (pointing to the guns) to protect yourselves?"
John threw back his head and tried to prevent a loud laugh, at this perfectly obvious question, while he looked at the boys to see what sort of an answer would be given.
George was non-plussed for a minute. John had no business to disconcert him in that way. He turned and expected Harry to answer, but it seemed as though he had imperfectly understood it. There was no way out of it, and George tried to get his body into a proper position to answer it with dignity.
"Well, you see, the guns were not made for the purpose of killing people, but for sporting purposes."
"Do you have many wild animals in your country?" he asked naïvely.
"Not many now."
John laughed a little so as not to be too undignified, and George saw the humor of the situation. He did not want to pursue the subject any further, and John graciously turned the conversation by announcing the discovery of the Upas tree.
"I didn't know the Upas tree was of such immense size," said Harry. "Is it really true that it kills everything that comes near it?"
"No, that is greatly exaggerated. The only time when it gives forth any harmful exudations, is when it is cut down, or when the bark is torn away, or it is wounded in such a way that the sap comes into contact with the body."
p. 167
The illustration shows a flowering branch of the tree, and gives an idea of the silk-like leaves.
Fig. 14. The Flower of the Upas Tree.Fig. 14.TheFloweroftheUpasTree.
They were still going upwardly. On both sides, to the east and to the west could be seen the rolling sea. Ahead was the mountain, if such it might be called. Rocks began to appear everywhere. John stopped long at some of those dark gray walls, and chipped off many specimens.
There were now fewer birds and animals, except very small species, such as squirrels, and a variety of weasel, quick in its movements and reddish in color.
"This begins to look promising," remarked John, as he crawled around the ledges.
"Do you think we shall find any caves here?" asked George.
p. 168
"I shall be very much surprised if we do not," he answered.
"Isn't it singular that the natives never knew about them, if there are any here?"
"No; I do not think that is strange; they do not believe in the witch doctors, and they have no Krishnos here, so that the caves are of no value to them."
"But do you find much that is valuable in the way of ores?"
"The hills here are full of the most valuable minerals. The little prospecting I have done is sufficient to satisfy me on that point. I am trying to make a fair estimate so I can give an accurate report when we return."
It was late in the afternoon when they reached the summit of the mountain which they had viewed from the south. It was green to the very summit, and from the elevation where they stood they could see a long and narrow stretch to the north, the distance in that direction being much farther than they had traveled from the little bight of land on the south.
"It does look inviting in that part of the island," said Harry. "Were you ever there, in the bad place?" asked Harry as the Chief's son came up.
"No; but I have heard much about it."
One of the natives who heard the conversation said: "It is a beautiful place."
"Have you ever been there?" he was asked.
"I was a guard on two occasions when we took prisoners there," he answered.
"Tell us about it," said George.
p. 169
"I have never been in the village, but within an hour's march of it. The Chief warned us never to go into the place itself."
Aside from the village the place which interested John and the boys most was the mountain on which they were now standing. This must be explored. It was now late in the afternoon, and at John's suggestion they encamped, and only short excursions were made by the boys in the quest for something new.
It was a delightful night. The elevation gave them the advantage of a beautiful breeze, and the odors wafted to them, from some unknown source, on the mild trade wind from the north, was almost like a narcotic, so soothing and restful.
"Did you ever visit a more delightful spot?" asked Harry, as he inhaled the beautiful perfume.
"It does not seem to me that the criminal colony is in a very bad place, if this is any indication of it. Isn't that way of dealing with crime a strange thing?" remarked George.
"Why so?" asked John. "Is it anything peculiar for the wrongdoers to be banished from a community?"
"No; but it seems wrong to condemn the innocent women and children. Why should they be punished along with the guilty?"
"Probably, in the majority of cases, the women and children would prefer to accompany their husband and father. That does not seem to be so cruel, when it is considered that they are left free to live as much so as in their own community."
p. 170
"That is what I cannot understand. What is the use of sending them away, if they are not locked up?"
"Do you not know that among the ancients, banishment from a country was the greatest punishment; greater even than death, in the opinion of many; and there are many cases where suicide was preferable. The odium of banishment was so great in those days that only the strongest and the greatest of men could live it down."
"It makes me feel, when I smell this delightful perfume, that the home of the bad people over there must be a beautiful place," said George.
"To give such an opinion, just because of the fragrance that comes from the north is proper for a sentimentalist," said John, as he laughed.
"Well, that is a pretty big name to give, and I suppose it means having some notion that hasn't any sense in it, but just theory?"
"That is a fairly close description, but I didn't mean it in that way."
The boys never felt resentful at anything that John might say, as they knew and appreciated his noble character and disposition too well not to understand that his remarks were never born of malice.
After a restful night preparations were made for a complete survey of the mountain, if it might be so dignified. Its greatest altitude did not exceed eight or nine hundred feet, and the width of the island at this point did not exceed two miles. It was quite rugged toward the east, but on the western side ofp. 171the island the descent was sloping, and offered easy examination.
The natives were instructed what to do, and were told that they should particularly hunt for caves, or great holes, or entrances into the hills. Four search parties were thus organized, John being at the head of one, and George, Harry and Sutoto, each being a leader in the others.
Sutoto was most competent for work of this kind, as he had accompanied the boys on many expeditions, and was anxious to be of service in the quest.
John took a direction to the northeast, and Sutoto to the southeast, thus leaving Harry and George with their parties to explore the region to the west, and northwest.
As they were separating George slyly remarked: "John must have had some particular reason for taking the direction he did."
Harry smiled. "I hope we shall find the first caves."
Before separating John told them that he was desirous of finding a cavern which had certain peculiar markings therein, and the description showed it to be Cross-shaped. This must not be forgotten.
They entered into the undertaking with the greatest enthusiasm.
The boys simply danced, as they went down the hill, so great was the joy and the freedom of that beautiful spot. What a wonderful sensation is produced by beautiful odors. It is like a thought whichp. 172transports you. On the other hand, when the odors are disagreeable how it depresses and disgusts.
A great French physician has said that in his observations, the real happy people are those who delight in beautiful odors; and while it is not true that criminals are devoid of the elevating influence of delightful perfumes, still, they are less influenced thereby.
In a number of tests made some years ago, a curious fact was observed: Sweet odors were allowed to Teach sleeping patients, which, when they did excite dreams, made them feel that they were living in a world of bliss, and surrounded by all the luxuries of life. On the other hand, when exposed to evil smelling odors, they dreamed of miseries, and of trouble and disgrace.
It was understood that the different expeditions were to report at the camp at midday, and that in the event of any accident, or other mishap, the firing of the guns would be sufficient warning to the party at the camp and to those who were searching.
George had with him two of his own "boys," and two of the natives, and Harry was also accompanied by several of his particular favorites. Harry, with his party, was the energetic one, as he was exceedingly wiry and a good walker. He did not intend to permit the others to encroach on any of his territory.
Not a vestige of anything was found which even so much as pointed to a cave or to the sign of human occupancy in that section. George, on the other hand, was more fortunate. In his area the shelvingp. 173rocks were more numerous, and he also knew that the rocks were limestone, and that caves were more likely to exist in limestone formation than in trap rock, or either in granite or sandstone formations.
He was, therefore, fully prepared, when, in the early part of his investigation, to find, what appeared to be entrances, but in all cases they were blind leads,—that is they led in for short distances only, many of them being mere cleavages of the rocks.
The real cave is the one where the limestone is eaten out by the erosive action of the water attacking the calcium of the rock. Furthermore, he felt that he must go down nearer sea level to be assured of success, and he acted on that impulse.
p. 174
Itwould be useless to recount the experiences of all of the parties. They had four hours of search before them. This would, at least, give some idea as to the nature of the mountain, and enable John to decide whether it would be wise to give that project further consideration.
At midday the parties began to appear, first Harry, then Sutoto, followed by John, and finally George. The latter was the only one who was smiling. The three early parties had no news to impart.
"What have you found?" were the hailing words of George, as he approached.
"Nothing! nothing!" were the answers.
"It takes me to bring home the goods," he remarked, and Harry laughed in derision.
"No; but I mean it," he continued. "I have captured a modern, good-sized cave, and it is now awaiting to be explored."
John could not believe the tale. "You are to be congratulated. Good boy!" Needless to add, George was the happiest person in that camp.
"Let us go down to see it at once," said George inp. 175his eagerness. "It is quite a distance, as it is not more than five hundred feet from the seashore."
"Luncheon first," remarked John, and no one interposed an objection, as the trip had sharpened the appetites of all.
The meal over little time was lost in making a start, and George led the way with his boys. Truly enough, there was the open mouth, and it was cave-like. Now for the mysteries within. "We went in only about a hundred feet, so as to be sure we weren't fooled," said George, in reference to his discovery.
The lamps were then prepared, and all the preparations made, the boys being veterans in this sort of work, and John was ahead, as was generally the custom in these expeditions.
"This is as far as we went," said George. Beyond was still a wall which glistened from the streaming lights.
Gradually the walls came closer together; the track was a narrow one; so they had to march in single file. John called a halt. "I am afraid this is a blind hole," he said, but George could not believe it, so the side walls were searched, for indications of some opening.
"This is the end of the cave. Note the side walls. If they should be pressed against each other they would fit exactly, showing that it is an opening caused by a fissure and not by erosion."
Harry could not help but laugh. All this time lost on a blind lead, and the laugh was on George.
Harry could not help jesting him. "If you are ap. 176good tribe finder it is no sign that caves are in your line."
John enjoyed the laugh on George, but the latter retorted: "I think the joke is on you, for traveling all this distance to see a hole in the ground."
There was not the sign of a cave on the island, aside from the one discovered (?) by George, so the party remained that night at the mountain top, and in the morning descended the hill, and slowly marched to the north. Before noon they entered a beautiful stretch of woodland, with luxurious grass growing all around in profusion.
"This is as far as the guards have been permitted to go," said one of the natives, who had volunteered the information about the place the day before.
Thus far not a human being was visible. An hour's march would bring them to the village of the criminals, and the boys began to examine their weapons, and to look apprehensive.
The wild fruits of the tropics were now seen in abundance in every direction. Bananas, the Bread Fruit, Cocoa, and Date Palm, on every hand.
The most astonishing thing, however, was the profusion of flowers, of every variety, seemingly, and the air was scented as with one vast bouquet.
Sutoto stopped and pointed ahead: "They are in the trees gathering fruit." The party halted, and looked, and then proceeded.
They were, undoubtedly, the first of the criminals. A half mile beyond, and in a plain road, were several of the inhabitants. Those in the trees, two men andp. 177a boy, descended, and, together with two women, walked across the field, to witness the newly-arrived criminals, as they supposed.
They were astounded at the appearance of the party. The Chief's son addressed the men, and told them who they were, and their mission. As this was the first time that such a visit had ever been made, the man instructed the boy to run to the village and inform the people, and he scurried away.
Meantime the party moved on, and, as they proceeded, more and more of the inhabitants were seen. To the right were people in the fields, engaged in some sort of work there. This was singular. Nothing of that kind was seen in the village where Beralsee was chief.
"What is the name of this town where the convicts live?" asked Harry.
"Hutoton," replied Calmo.
"And what is the name of your town?"
"Sasite."
"Rather queer names, I should say," exclaimed Harry.
John laughed and glanced at Harry, as he said: "I wonder howUnity, andPioneer, andMayfield, and the queer English names sound to them!"
"Oh, I suppose they have some good reason for having such names."
"Yes; for the same reason that we apply names to certain things. See what a wonderful expression there is in the word 'Harsh,' and how expressive it is compared with its opposite 'soft.' How the firstp. 178word grates, and the second comes out so smoothly. Then, compare 'swift' and 'slow'; or 'sweet' and 'sour.' Ugh! I can almost taste the last word."
John roared, as he saw the serious aspect of Harry's face. But other sights now attracted their attention. A group of men and women appeared. How strange the natives looked. They were well dressed, that is, judged from the people in Sasite, and they were people of good deportment, if those of the inhabitants that accompanied them were fair specimens.
At the head of the villagers was a man of striking appearance, tall, with white hair, such as you would call distinguished, because he differed from most around him. The women were well clad, and the children plump and vigorous in their actions.
Something must be wrong! These people were not criminals! The old man came forward, and gave a respectful bow. He looked at John and said a few words. Calmo responded, his words when translated being: "These are friends of my father, and they have come to visit you."
At this the man gave another bow, and John went up and held out his hand, which the man took in a simple and unaffected manner.
"We welcome you to our village," was his reply.
The boys looked at each other and relaxed their hold on the guns. Was this, after all, the wicked place that had been described to them? As they marched down to the village they were enchanted at the flowers which greeted them on all sides.
p. 179
Here and there were garden spots, carefully kept, and when the first huts appeared beyond the grove, the boys simply gasped, and could hardly believe their senses. Hundreds of Magnolia trees were in bloom; and the gentle breeze blowing in from the sea, moderated the rays of the sun, and wafted the odor of the plants many miles inland.
The homes were not rudely built, and, although they were on the same general plan of those in Sasite, they had every appearance of comfort.
The head man of the village led them to a more pretentious home, probably his own dwelling. This was soon confirmed, as they were invited to enter and repose themselves on slightly elevated couches, so much like Chief Beralsee's court.
Within a short time there was a great commotion in the village. The boys looked around startled, and the old man noticed it, for he turned to Calmo, and said: "The villagers are preparing a feast for you. Let them go out and mingle with the people."
The boys were happy at this opportunity of satisfying their curiosity. Sutoto accompanied them, and with Calmo, they placed themselves under the guidance of a young man named Anasa, who, Calmo said, was the son of the old man.
They passed down the main street, for there was some semblance of order in the location of the huts. Around the huts were flowers, just as they had seen on the path leading from the mountain, and here and there patches of growing vegetables. After passing one rather attractive looking hut, Anasap. 180paused for a moment, and then turned back, motioning for them to follow. He entered, and the boys saw a villager, and two women within.
Anasa pointed to the figure of a man seated in a chair, and upon seeing it both boys started back in amazement.
"That is a white man," cried Harry.
Anasa nodded, his manner indicating that he felt sure that the boys would recognize him as belonging to their race. George went up to him, and held out his hand. In response the man gave a listless look, and slowly raised the left hand, which was grasped by George, who said: "I am glad to see you. Who are you? We are white, the same as you are."
The man made no sign, and his arm dropped to his side as George relaxed his grasp. Harry touched George on the shoulder, as he said: "There is something the matter with him. Ask Anasa about him."
Calmo put the question, and this was the reply: "We found the poor fellow on the beach many moons ago. We brought him here, and tried to heal him, but he does not speak, and one side of him has no life."
The man made no show of recognition, and the only motion observable was a twitching jerk of the left arm, and a slightly swaying motion of the head.
"John must know about this," said George.
"By all means," was the reply.
Calmo was told about the wonderful man John, and that he should be called at once, so one of thep. 181accompanying natives was instructed to bring John, and he speeded away on the errand.
George stood outside of the hut when John came up. "This is a remarkable thing. Did they tell you about it?"
"No."
"There is a white man here."
"Where?" asked John in astonishment.
"In the hut, and he is paralyzed and cannot speak."
John did not wait for more, and as he went the head man followed him in. Then they told him the story, and John stood there and gazed at the man. To the boys who were by John's side he remarked: "I do not know him. I do not think I ever saw him before. How long has he been in this condition?" The old man responded: "Ever since we picked him up on the shore, abouttuta romamaago."
"And how long ago was that?"
George informed him that Calmo received the information that it was over two years prior to that time, and as John received this information he passed his hand over his head, and, turning to Harry, said: "We shall, probably, get at the bottom of another mystery."
"What is it? Why do you think so?" asked George in astonishment.
"Not now; not now!" answered John, wishing to defer discussion until they were out of the stricken man's hearing.
p. 182
The latter, however, did not in the least appreciate who were before him. He was not at all perturbed by his visitors, nor when John quietly passed his hand along the poor man's arm and body to satisfy himself of the extent of the paralytic stroke.
He winced but slightly when the examination of the left side was made, otherwise there was no sign of comprehension on his part.
"This is a remarkable thing," said John, as they were returning to the old man's dwelling.
"Why, is it a peculiar case?"
"The ailment itself is not remarkable; but there is something which passes my comprehension."
"What is it!" asked the boys in, unison.
"These people are savages."
"Yes; answered the boys."
"And they are criminals," he said as he stopped and looked at the boys, with an earnestness that surprised them.
It did not take more words to make them understand what John meant. These people had taken this shipwrecked man, and tenderly cared for him during a period of more than two years. This was done without hope of reward. John learned later on that the natives of the town had made provision for the shipwrecked man and had compensated the people at whose home he was then living.
After the evening meal, John walked around the village, observing the people, and he found happiness everywhere. Everything seemed to be arranged according to a system. The old man was not a chief,p. 183but was looked upon as their advisor and guide; but he was a criminal, as were all the others in that town.
That evening when all were present John had the first opportunity to talk with the venerable chief of the town.
"How long have you been here?" he was asked.
He was silent for a moment and then answered: "Thirty years."
It must be understood that the questions and answers had to be translated and as the natives knew nothing about the division of time in months or years it was necessary to convert the time which was given by nature into terms of years and months.
Thus, they understood what a day meant, and they could calculate time, as all savages do, by the phases of the moon, and in many cases they were able to indicate time by the position of the sun, in which they recognized three phases only, namely, when the sun was directly above them, and when it reached the extreme northern and southern points.
"Why were you sent here?"
"Because I committed a crime."
John was almost startled at the frankness of the confession, which the old man made without the least perceptible show of feeling or shame.
"Would you like to go back again?"
"Go back where?"
"To your home."
He looked bewildered for a moment, and then answered: "This is my home."
"But I mean your old home at Sasite."
p. 184
The old man shook his head vigorously, and answered: "No! no! There is no place like Hutoton."
"Do you know what 'Hutoton' means?"
"Yes; it means 'the place of death.'"
The boys were startled at the reply. John turned to them, when he saw their expression, and smiled. The old man, too, smiled.
"Do any of your people want to go back?"
He looked surprised at the question. "Do they want to go back?" he repeated the query. "No; but you should ask them. I do not know of any one who wishes to return. We love our Chief too much to wish for such a thing."
"Do you know what the people in Sasite think of this place?"
"No; not altogether; I am curious to know."
"They believe it is a terrible place, and that the people who are sent here never have another day of peace or happiness."
"And have they not changed their opinions? I used to think so too, and we believed it of those who went before us; but we thought they might have changed their opinions, because we felt that people were growing better and not worse. It is a long time since they sent us real criminals, and we thought the Chief's people were growing wiser and happier."
"When did the last criminals come here?"
"Nearly one year ago."
p. 185
Itwas impossible to describe the effect of these revelations on the boys. It was so different from anything they had been led to expect. It brought one thing forcibly to their minds; that because these people had committed some crime, or some wrong against society, they were still human beings, and were worthy of being treated as men and women.
John related to them that various governments had tried the plan of sending convicts to some foreign lands, and placing them in situations where they might work out their own salvation; that all such efforts were successful, where real opportunities were bestowed.
"The idea is," remarked John, "that they are banished from the society in which they resided, or in which they were raised, for the purpose of helping them. The reason for inflicting punishment on criminals has been to protect society but apparently no efforts have been made to cure the criminals or to help them to better themselves."
"I heard the Professor say, at one of the trials at Wonder Island, that some scientists consider crime a disease," said George.
"Exactly; now suppose we treated people suffering from smallpox, or scarlet fever, or some otherp. 186like disease, just like we treat criminals, it would be regarded as brutal. To lock them up, and deprive them of the pleasures of living, simply to protect society, is wrong."
"But the smallpox and scarlet fever patients are taken away so they will not give the complaints to others," observed Harry.
"And that is right. I favor that and advocate that same thing with criminals. But the patients are not deprived of the things they have been accustomed to, and they are restored, when cured. It is not so with the poor unfortunate who errs. When he does come back he is hounded and looked upon as a tainted individual, although he may, in heart, be better than his accusers."
During that day and the next, the natives and those who accompanied John associated with each other, and had many conversations. What interested them was the presence of the unfortunate paralytic who was unable to speak for himself.
The boys did not believe that he was one of the crew of the school shipInvestigator. What connection, if any, did he have with the skeleton they found the day before? was another of their queries.
On the second day they were taken to the beach where the white man was found. There, as explained, he was found, with wreckage all about, during one of the raging monsoons with which the boys were so well acquainted, but aside from that there was not a vestige to show his name or where he was from.
p. 187
All the clothing worn by him originally, and of that there was scarcely any when found, had been worn threadbare, and he was now dressed in native garments. The chair in which he was reclining was undoubtedly from some wrecked ship, and had been in the possession of the villagers for years.
John spoke to the old man concerning the patient, and advised him that they would soon call to take him away. They would thus relieve them of the burden, and endeavor to restore him to health, if it were possible to do so.
The old man was thankful for the kind words uttered by John, and the latter assured him that before many moons passed he would return and show his appreciation for their kindness to a fellow creature.
"But we do not feel that we have done anything which especially merits praise. He is one like ourselves, who was in distress, and we helped him."
"Yes; you have done that which is right. We intend to reward you not that you should be paid for doing what is right, but to show that we appreciate your noble actions," answered John.
The party, after many wishes and hearty good-byes, filed out of the village, some of them loath to go.
Calmo was silent. He was not the same as before they marched through the village. John noticed it, but he wisely refrained from commenting on the sights they had witnessed. There was cleanliness and order in Hutoton; and filth and disorder in Sasite. It was impossible to be unconscious ofp. 188the difference between the industry in one place, and the utter shiftlessness in the other.
As it required two days to make the return journey, they were absent from Sasite nearly seven days, and, according to the calculations, thePioneerwould be in from Unity within the next two days.
During the intervening time the boys roamed at will through the island, and on the second day went directly south, so as to scour the sea front below the village.
In the afternoon, as they were about to return, they saw a sail, George being the first to catch a glimpse of it. "ThePioneer," he cried, upon which they danced about in sheer joy and started for the village, which was distant several miles.
They were almost out of breath when they rushed through the village, and cried out the news. Everybody was expectant; all were eager to see the vessel come in and Sutoto was the first to reach the landing.
During the visit of the boys on the island, John had a crude dock constructed, and as thePioneerwas of light draft, this was not a difficult thing to do, so that the passengers could land from the ship directly on the solid platform.
The Chief was among the merry villagers. "Who is that man with the white hair!" he asked of Uraso.
The latter was just as much surprised as his questioner, when he recognized the Professor, and he informed the Chief of the treat he would experience in meeting him. "He is the Great Wise man," added Uraso, "whom everybody loves."
p. 189
Muro, too, was astounded as the Professor came down. But a still greater surprise awaited the two chiefs. Muro's wife hailed him, and then Uraso's wife waved her handkerchief. This was too much for them, and waving aside all dignity they rushed forward to greet them.
The whole thing had been so admirably arranged, that no one knew of the affair which had been planned by John. Sutoto joined in the merriment, but he was too anxious to see Stut to pay much attention to the greetings.
The visitors discreetly refrained from saying a word to Sutoto, concerning the coming event. Besides the Chief's wives, there were several other women, of the Tribes in Wonder Island, together with some white men and their wives, who had been invited at the request of Blakely.
The latter greeted John with that hearty expression so characteristic of the true commercial man, and he was not with John a minute before he was plying all sorts of questions about the resources of the island, the kind and number of inhabitants the nature of the soil, and the possibilities of mineral development.
The Professor came down and was introduced to the Chief by Uraso.
The great burly chief was fascinated. He gazed on the Professor and almost gasped, then turning to Uraso he said: "Ah! I know why he is a wise man."
To Uraso this remark was indeed a puzzle; top. 190think that the Chief had discovered the secret of the wisdom in the Professor! He was quick to ask why he knew it.
"Because he has double eyes."
Uraso laughed, and turned to the Professor, to whom he related the incident. Instantly the Professor removed the glasses, and courteously handed them to the Chief, and Uraso adjusted them to the Chief's eyes.
He glanced around, through the lens, and forced out one expression of delight after the other. He was oblivious of everything else. He forgot that there were dozens of the visitors ready in line to be introduced to him; but all enjoyed the great pleasure he experienced in the new sight.
But suddenly he stopped in his enthusiasm, and with an apology took off the glasses and held them up, in the act of handing them back. The Professor returned them, and took another pair from his pocket which he put on.
It was not likely that the Chief could have received a more acceptable present, as his eyesight was failing, and the glasses seemed like the opening of a new world to him. Later on the Professor provided a pair of glasses better adapted to his sight.
The Chief then became concerned about the comfort of his guests, so Uraso said: "Do not feel worried about the visitors. They will sleep on the vessel where they have comfortable rooms."
The Chief could hardly believe the statements, as he muttered: "This is, indeed, wonderful."
p. 191
It would require pages to record the incidents that came to his attention about the wonders of these new people. The surprising thing was, that Uraso, and the natives of Wonder Island were dressed like the white people and acted like them, and yet he was told that all that wonderful change had come about in a little over two years' time.
Muro's wife was quickly made acquainted with the Chief's wife, and the day following she had a consultation with her. Mida, who was Muro's wife, said: "I do not know whether or not you know of Sutoto's affection for Cinda, but we learned about it, and have come over to attend the ceremony."
Linnea, the Chief's wife, smiled as Mida spoke to her. "Yes, I know of it, but the Chief has not yet been told."
It seems that they had very curious and at the same time different customs among the various tribes, and Mida's object was to learn what their etiquette called for as to betrothals. Among some of the Wonder Island tribes, the Chief was the only one who has the right to consent to the marriage of the females, although the males could go to other tribes and secure wives without the consent of the Chief.
In other tribes the women, the mothers, are the sole judges, and it is not infrequent for the parents of the bride to demand a payment, dependent on the rank or the riches of the father.
Then the question of ceremonies is always an important one. It would be sacrilegious to perform the rite except in exact accordance with the prep. 192scribed rules. Sometimes those rules are so extremely different to those of another tribe that intermarriage between members of such tribes is impossible.
Thus, a Tuolo could never marry a Saboro, nor could an Illya warrior take an Osaga for a bride. On all these points the women were adepts. It is more than likely, however, that Cinda and Sutoto had all that matter fully understood between them.
"Did Stut tell you about Sutoto?" asked George.
Harry laughed. "No; but I have a good one to tell you. What did he say?"
"Well, you know he hired Stut to get him a wedding outfit, and a present?"
"Yes."
"When the people left the vessel Sutoto sneaked back, and hunted up Stut. Of course Stut had the package all done up, and he is now taking it over to his hut."
"I have something better than that. Sutoto is going to be married to-night."
"How do you know?"
"Cinda told one of her girl friends, and it frightened her so that she told Uraso."
"Why that would spoil all the plans."
"So it would, but Uraso told his sister."
"Are you sure of that?"
"Of course I am; I was there."
"What did she say?"
"She simply said 'I will take care of that.'"
"Of course she will; she's a brick."
p. 193