Directly beyond this chamber, and on a line with the entrance passage, was an extension which led to the other side of the hill. The chamber formed an immense cross, in its plan section, and the two lateral extremities were the points of interest.
The party first went to the left, and there found the habitation of the Krishnos. Peculiar implements and instruments were discovered, and all of these were taken, and placed together, Muro and the boys looking on in wonder.
Among them were found a number of crude crosses and numerous charms or amulets, the kind that they vended, and which the natives gave their souls and bodies to acquire.
"The possession of these will be of great service to us, as the people reverence them, and we must not expect to change their beliefs in a fortnight."
"You said there was a lot of treasure here," remarked Ralph.
"That is in the other wing of the chamber. As we have everything from this place that is serviceable, we will go to the south wing."
The recessed part of the chamber at this place had the appearance of being carved from the rock, and decorated with the universal calcium. The floor was covered with stalagmites, rough and unp. 112even, showing that the place had not been trod, perhaps for centuries.
"What are those curious things?" asked Tom, gazing at the square-shaped objects, which were arranged in one corner.
"By opening them we shall see."
"Here is one, partly opened," exclaimed Ralph in great excitement.
"Yes; that is the one I tried to get into," answered John. "Notwithstanding it was a hazardous thing to do at the time, I took the risk. The Krishnos were at that very time at the other wing which we just left."
The receptacle was brought out and examined. The wealth of gold and silver was amazing. Blakely could hardly believe the testimony of his eyes.
"Your ship, theAdventurer, is floating around in pieces on the Pacific, but I imagine there is enough here to compensate you for the loss of the vessel," remarked John, as he noticed Blakely's wondering look.
"How can we ever get all this stuff on the wagon?" asked Tom. "The boxes are all falling to pieces."
"The Krishnos have plenty of copper vessels, as well as others, which they have gathered up from the wrecks on the coast. You know the best of everything goes to them, and the chiefs are not strong enough really to prevent them on account of the superstitious fears they inculcate."
True enough, the eastern wing had a hoard of vessels, some of them of the greatest value, which were arranged about the chests of treasure, andp. 113the work of filling the receptacles was industriously undertaken. This occupied them for fully three hours, and the greater task of carrying them to the wagon was begun.
When they emerged from the cave at four in the morning they were tired beyond all description, but they had a mass of treasure, that did not pale in comparison with the amount taken out of the caverns near the Cataract.
In the morning the Tuolos were selected, and the chief invited to enter the wagon. John went to the large hut, and released the Krishnos. They were unbound, and directed to follow the marching column, surprised at being free from the captive bonds. They could not understand such treatment, and this was heightened when John ordered the aged Krishno, who walked with difficulty, to take a place in the wagon.
The natives saw the warriors and their chief depart, not as prisoners, since all had their weapons, but conducted in state, if the appearance of the chief in the vehicle was an indication of the proceeding.
Two days thereafter the cavalcade approached the village, and the chief strained his eyes, as he peered at the multitude about him, and saw a village of a most remarkable character, where two moons before was a virgin tract of land.
The venerable appearance of the Professor attracted him. He was startled at the sight of Suros, and then, glancing about, he recognized Oma of the Brabos, Uraso of the Osagas, and lastly, Tastoa, chief of the Kurabus, lately his ally.
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The Professor welcomed him with outstretched hand. "You are wondering at the sight of your late enemies, and of your friends. We have nothing but friends here. They can tell you that we welcome you as a friend, and will explain why we do so. We will show you what the people are doing for themselves, and how happily they live, and the White Chief brought you here so that you might see these things for yourself."
"We welcome you, Marmo, as one of our friends," said Suros. "I tried many moons ago to tell you that the Great Spirit did not want us to kill each other, but the wise men told you differently. We do not believe them any more, but listen to the White Chief."
"He has told us the most wonderful things, and taught us how the white men live, and how different tribes live together in peace."
After the welcoming functions and the explanations were concluded, he was taken to the different works, and everything explained to him. He saw the water wheel, and how it turned the sawmill and the grindstone and lathes, and the mill for making the flour.
The looms interested him the most of all. It is singular how the various tools and machinery affected the different ones, and this was particularly observed by the boys.
"I have watched the several tribes," said Harry, "as they first looked about them at the strange things, and it is curious how the different things impress them. I have noticed that the Osagas are particularly interested in machinery. The Saborosp. 115like anything connected with the soil, and they would make good agriculturists."
"Don't you remember when Uraso came to the Cataract he never took any stock in the guns, but Stut couldn't keep his hands off them?" responded Tom.
"The old chief Marmo thought the loom was the finest thing in the whole lot. He is over there now, and has been watching it for the last two hours."
For two days the chief wandered around, paying no attention to anything but the machinery, and the products turned out. The coins were a novelty, and a string was presented to him. He noticed the friendly attitude of all the warriors to his men, and marveled at the change.
He could not understand why the men would work for the coins, and then give them up for something else. The Professor tried to explain this, and it must be confessed that it was a hard thing to do. It seemed that nothing but a practical application would make it plain.
The Tuolo chief was a ready listener now, and was unusually quick to grasp a situation, although he could not learn the ethics of the white man. The Professor had him present at one of the trials for theft of a petty nature, which occurred a few days after his arrival.
He was surprised to find that any notice should be taken of such a trivial affair. The Professor, commenting on it at the trial, which he did particularly for the benefit of Marmo, said: "It is not the amount of the theft, but the act itself, which wep. 116must condemn. If you could have taken a larger amount you would have done so, and you must learn that the property you took did not belong to you but the some one else, and that is just as much a crime as though you took all the man possessed."
That was sufficient for his first lesson in justice. "But," he asked of the Professor, "can all men be guilty of doing wrong?"
"Can you do wrong?"
"Yes."
"But you are a Great Chief, and how can you do wrong in taking things from your people?"
"Because the people own the things, just as much as you own the things which you have properly obtained."
"Then if you do wrong, will you be punished?"
"Yes; just the same as the people who do wrong. My punishment should be greater, if I do wrong, because I should set them an example to do right."
"But how can I do wrong if I take anything from my people? I own everything."
"Who gave everything to you? By what right should you or I own everything? Because we are chiefs does not give us the right to own everything."
"Then how can the chiefs ever own anything?"'
"They should work for it like everyone else does."
"Do you work like the others do?"
"Yes; I oversee the work of others and try to make them happy, and see that no one is idle andp. 117that the laws are obeyed. For that work I am paid, just as the others are paid for the work they do. I do this work because my people ask me to do so, and they pay me a certain number of coins for the work, the same as the man is paid for the particular work he does."
This doctrine, so entirely new, could not be grasped at once, and he continued with his questionings: "But the people may not want me as their chief, and take some one else, and that would cause trouble, and no one would know who was chief."
"Then it becomes your duty to so conduct yourself that they will not want some one else to be chief. If a man works for me and he does not know or care how he does the work, or is careless, and I cannot depend on him, I get somebody else in his place. Would you keep such a man?"
"No; but I would have the power to send him away."
"Then the wise chief must know that if he acts as a true father to his people they will not try to get another chief."
Blakely had been a man of affairs at home, and was a sharp, shrewd business man. To him the Professor entrusted the arranging of the affairs of the town, impressing on him the importance of directing the natives into a wide and diversified character of enterprises.
The business was one admirably suited to his temperament. He had long ago spoken to the boys and John about the promotion of the island, by the establishments of various industries, andp. 118particularly agricultural pursuits, which would require workmen to cultivate coffee, cocoa, the spices, and the numerous vegetable products which grew in a wild state in great abundance everywhere.
These various articles, if grown systematically, would mean an immense source of wealth, and should afford employment for all the natives, and thus mean their advancement.
The hills were full of mineral. He knew this, and had the testimony of the Professor as to the valuable character of the various ores. Sooner or later communication could now be established with the outer world. All were contemplating the preparation of a suitable vessel which would enable them to return to the United States.
One evening, while the conversation was on this absorbing topic, he remarked: "I don't know how you gentlemen feel about this place, but as for myself I feel that from a business point of view this is the ideal spot. I am just as anxious as you are to see my home again, but the possibilities are so immense here, that, as soon as possible, I shall come back."
"For my part," replied the Professor, "if a ship should appear in the harbor to-morrow, I would not for a moment consider leaving these people. The work of their redemption is not even started in such a way as to permit me to safely leave them. The boys may well be pardoned and commended for wanting to go home, but my work is here."
"That expresses my sentiment exactly," saidp. 119Harry. "I want to go home, it is true, but what a wonderful experience we have had here, and when I think of the remarkable progress we have made it astonishes me more than I can tell you. If I do go home it will be to come back again, because I want to be where the Professor is. I like this work, and the excitement it affords."
"You won't have any more savages to fight," responded the Professor, "and it might not be so interesting for you."
"Making guns is much more pleasant than using them against people."
George's face was a study. He was the sentimental one of the lot. He was by all odds the most emotional, and the greatest lover of home. But withal that he reechoed the sentiments of Harry. "If I could only see home again, I would be content, and when I came back it would be to know that I could return whenever I wanted to."
All the boys were enthusiastic about the trip home. Many plans were projected, and talked over.
"Won't it create a sensation," remarked Ralph, "when it is announced that three of theInvestigator'slifeboats were wrecked on an island, and that the survivors arrived after an absence of—"
"Yes," broke in Tom. "How long?"
"That will depend on several things," said John. "First, to bring the Illyas to terms, and second, to build a boat big enough to take us safely to the nearest harbor which is in communication with America. As for myself, this life and thep. 120hopes for the future are too alluring for me to even try to get away."
With characteristic energy Blakely consulted Harry and the working force in the shop.
"Do you think we could turn out some plows?" he asked.
Harry smiled. "This establishment is prepared to turn out anything it has orders for."
"Then put down my order for a half dozen plows, to be delivered as quickly as possible."
The new town was located within the territorial limits of the Osagas' country, and it was now necessary to make immediate provision for some sort of laws or regulations with respect to the land. The savage theory was that the chief owned all the land, and this was a condition that well might breed trouble.
Osaga was the chief. He was the first to receive the full understanding of the new doctrine. It was proposed that he should receive as full compensation a certain stipulated sum, and in return make a transfer of all his rights to the State.
"But what is the State," he asked, "and who will he be?"
"The State will mean all of you."
"Then I will own a part of it just the same as everybody else?"
"Yes; let me explain that still further. When your people begin to raise coffee and cocoa, and all the other things which the people in the world will come here for and buy of you, the lands all about you will become very valuable, and many will come here to buy them. The money will gop. 121to the State, which means you and everyone else here."
"Will it be done the same with the Berees, and the Kurabus and the Saboros?"
"Yes; each will be a State of its own, and will be governed in the same way, and a Saboro will come here and buy some land, and you will protect him, and when one of the Osagas goes to the Berees he can buy land there, and they must protect him and his wife and children."
"Yes; I see what you mean. I am content. I will do this whether the others do or not."
"But I assure you," continued the Professor, "that the others will be compelled to do as you do."
"How can we compel them?"
"No one will want to buy their land, and they will not become valuable for that reason, like yours, because the people who come here will buy only where they know there is a law and where they know they will be protected."
Uraso grasped the wonderful import of this statement, and became its most enthusiastic advocate. He had many talks with Marmo and Muro, and he presented the matter in such a way that most suitably appealed to the savage mind.
The all-absorbing topic now was the proposed expedition to the Illyas. Marmo, the Tuolo chief, had sent a message to their chief, in which he set forth the advantages which would accrue to them to quietly submit, and also stated that he did so willingly, in the belief such a course would be of the greatest and most lasting benefit.
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Marmo had received no response, and the outlook boded no good. Preparations were begun, and Marmo insisted that his warriors should form part of the force, and that he himself would accompany the expedition. As the boys, by the aid of their helpers, had been at work on the guns from the time the factory was set up, they had a hundred and twenty guns completed. This was ample for any requirement.
Two new wagons were also made, and several smaller ones, designed for single steers, the latter being used by the Professor and the chiefs in going to and fro.
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The chief Marmo had now an opportunity to learn another lesson he was not prepared for. Many of the warriors objected to going on the expedition. The work at the factory and in the various occupations so fascinated them that they begged to be excused.
At the request of the Professor many were excused from going, care having been taken to consult the boys who had charge of the various parts of the business as to the ones which could best be spared.
Marmo mused over these things. He saw the great cordiality that existed between his warriors and the other tribes. He was also gratified to see some of his men making things which were novel to him, as they were fascinating to the men.
The Krishnos were all about and were the personal charges of the Professor. He had them, daily in the laboratory, and all seemed to be pleased and happy. Marmo wanted to know whether they desired to go home, but all declined. There seemed to be a fascination about the place he could not understand.
One evening the Professor saw a Tuolo worker stealthily coming up the pathway leading to the laboratory, and after looking about with a curip. 124ous air, pushed open the door, and in the most subservient manner begged permission to speak.
The Professor took him by the hand and led him to a chair. "What is it you want, my man? Can I do anything for you!"
The hearty manner and smiling face of the Professor emboldened him to speak.
"I have a wife and three children in the Tuolo village, and I want permission to bring them here."
"Don't you want to go back there?"
"If I do then I will have no more work. I like the work. I can make many things now, and I want my family here."
This was an appeal which could not be neglected, and he responded in this manner: "You do not need to ask me to bring your family here. You have a right to do so."
"But my chief will not let me do so."
"Did you ask him?"
"No."
"Then I will send for him."
"When Marmo appeared the Professor told him the desire of the man, and when he had concluded the chief was puzzled for a moment, and, turning to the warrior, said:
"I cannot understand why my warriors do not care about going to war. They like the machinery, and the way the little things are made, and to learn how to make them. The White Chief says you have a right to bring your family here. That is well; but you must not forget your people, and when you learn these wonderful things you mustp. 125come and teach the people at the village how to do them."
He was extremely gratified at this permission. A half hour afterwards the Professor called Tom and told him of the incident, and suggested that he should be provided with a quantity of food for the journey. But he had already gone. That was certainly sufficient to show the intense eagerness to bring back his people.
George and Ralph were the ones who were always on the alert for new things, and Jim made a good companion for them in this respect. The latter was the first one to actively canvass the subject of a name.
There had been too much to do even to think of this before, and if it occurred to the Professor he had never mentioned it. Jim went over to see the Professor as soon as the idea occurred to him.
The Professor smiled when he saw Jim's eagerness.
"Yes, the idea is a good one, but that is something which you boys will have to decide. It has not occurred to John and Blakely, I know."
"I thought it would be a good thing to call it Industria, or something of that kind," responded Jim.
"I like that name, but you settle it among yourselves." Jim was back very quickly, and rushing in to the boys, cried out:
"The Professor said it was up to us to get a name for it."
"Name for what?" asked Harry.
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"For the town, of course."
"Well, what shall it be?" asked Tom.
"Call it America," shouted Will.
"Oh, that's too big a name," roared Ralph, with a scornful touch in his voice. "Just imagine how this would sound: 'William Rudel, Esq., America, Wonder Island?' What would the postmaster think of such an address?"
It did look a little out of proportion, as the boys laughed at the sally.
"Let's call it Independence; everybody seems to be pretty independent here," was Tom's suggestion.
"I have the best name in the lot."
"What is it?"
"Industria."
"There you are again with your Latin," answered Harry. "This is going to a real American town. None of your Latin endings, or any other dead language. This is a live town."
"Here is John; let's get a suggestion from him."
He heard the merry laughter, and as he approached wonderingly inquired about the cause of the hilarity. George said: "We have been holding a convention to find a name for the town. We have decided to leave it to you."
"Name of the town? Let me see. I suppose you want a stunning name? Something that will make people sit up and take notice. Eh? Well, if it turns out all right it doesn't need a name, and if it is a failure everybody will be calling it names."
The boys laughed at this first attempt that Johnp. 127had ever essayed to treat a subject in a jesting way, but he continued: "If this convention hasn't enough wit about it to select a name I don't think you ought to get an outsider to make a suggestion. But seriously, Unity would be a good name; and so Hustletown."
"Unity is just the thing," suggested George. There was not a dissenting voice.
"Now that we have the name, I suppose we shall have to christen it to make it hold," remarked George.
"Considering the trials and tribulations we have gone through to put this town on the map it doesn't need any christening. If we work as hard to make it a success as we did to get it started we needn't be ashamed of it," said Harry.
"Probably, the same principle will apply in this case as the sentence uttered by the Hindoo priests at the christening of an infant."
"What is that?"
"Thou hast come into the world with all around thee smiling; so live that when thou departest thou mayest smile while all around thee weep."
"That is a beautiful sentiment. Hurrah for Unity!" and George raised his hat to start the shouting.
As the expedition against the Illyas was about ready to start, the time for the departure was set for the following day. Two of the wagons were brought into requisition, and loaded with sufficient provisions to prevent the necessity of foraging too much.
George and Harry begged to be taken along, asp. 128they had put in some strenuous times during the two months at Unity, and this was readily granted. The other boys were to remain and take charge of the active work. John had command of the expedition, and Blakely had now too much work at the new town to enable him to take part.
Over three hundred warriors were mustered for the expedition. One hundred of the picked men had the muzzle-loading guns, and an ample supply of ammunition was stored in the wagons, and each gun bearer had twenty-five rounds.
The Professor said, on the eve of their departure: "I have every confidence in the ability of Mr. Varney to make it unnecessary to give him any advice, but I must say a word to all the warriors. You are going to the tribes, not for the purpose of revenge. We know they have captives in their possession, and we have demanded their return. They sent us an insulting message.
"Notwithstanding this, we must consider that they have sent us this reply out of ignorance of our true purpose. Each man must conduct himself as the chiefs dictate. There must be no killing except in self-defense."
Muro and Uraso, as well as Ralsea, were to accompany them, but the other chiefs were kept at home, this arrangement having been made because the others really preferred to continue the work in the factory and field.
It was a glorious day to begin the campaign. George and Harry were in their element.
"What a wonderful thing it is to look at these people now, and recall what our situation was ap. 129year ago," said Harry, as they drove down the road which had been made from the village to the east.
"Yes; a year ago, we were having some troubles, as it was about that time we got the first intelligence that these people were on the island," answered George.
"I had particular reference to the trip we made by sea, when we were wrecked the second time."
The entire column marched out past the Professor and the chiefs Oma, Suros, Marmo and Tastoa. The six tribes had contributed to the expedition, which they hoped would end all future wars, and put the island in a condition of peace, and thus enable them to carry out the great work planned by the Professor.
Before evening of the second day the main Saboro village came in sight. Muro was in a heaven of delight. Many of his warriors were in the column, and some still remained at Unity. But the women and children were still there, and they rushed out to meet the advancing column.
The news of the uprising of the Illyas was confirmed. A large party of them were less than a day's march to the east, and the appearance of the fighting force was a welcome one. There was no reason to apprehend that they had any knowledge of the surrender of the Tuolos.
The night and part of the day spent at the Saboro village was a period of feasting. Uraso met his sister, the wife of Muro, and the boys were lionized by the chief's family, who took particular pleasure in entertaining them. They had heardp. 130so much about the remarkable boys, and their capacity to make the beautiful things.
Harry and George brought with them a number of the mirrors, and those, with other little trinkets, were presented to the women. The boys were particularly impressed with Muro's eldest son, a boy of their same age, and George won Muro's heart when he asked if he could not accompany them.
Speaking to Harry he said: "Wouldn't Lolo enjoy the work at the factory? I hope he will let us take him with us when we go back."
"I am going to ask Muro," replied Harry, and he sought him out at once. "We want Lolo to go back with us to Unity."
Muro was delighted at the proposal, and he answered: "Yes; Lolo shall go back with us, because all of my family are going with us and we shall live there."
This news was a source of the greatest pleasure, you may be sure, and it was most gratifying to Muro, because he admired the boys.
"Lolo will like to work in the shop with you. He can now make the best bows in the tribe, and he makes fine arrows." And Lolo exhibited some of his handiwork, which, from the standpoint of the native weapons, was really creditable.
Returning now to Unity, we shall have to relate some very singular thing's which should be mentioned, as it shows the peculiar beliefs and practices of the natives.
On the day the force left the village occurred the first death in Unity. This was one of thep. 131warriors, who had been wounded during the last fight with the Tuolos and Illyas, and he had lingered along until he finally succumbed. He was one of the best men, and was mourned by the Osagas, of which he was a member.
Fig. 13. Ready for the Happy Hunting Grounds.Fig. 13.ReadyfortheHappyHuntingGrounds.
Singularly, another of the same tribe died the following morning, who was the exact opposite of the warrior. Within six hours of the death of the latter his friends carried him away, and he was buried. The warrior, however, was not buried, but, instead, his body was carried to an open place, fully a half mile beyond the town, and placed on a hanging cot suspended from two trees.
The boys witnessed the ceremonies, and could not understand the meaning of it.
"Why do they bury one so soon after death, and keep the other for several days, and then suspend his body in the air?" asked Tom.
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The Professor, who attended both ceremonies, responded: "This action on their part has a great significance. In most savage countries there is no more noble thing than to die on the battlefield. Usually those who die in that way are not accorded a burial, generally, because, in case such a warrior belongs to a defeated party, his friends do not have the opportunity to inter the body.
"Sir Samuel Baker, in his book, 'The Explorations on the White Nile,' relates an incident where he came to a village which had two graveyards, on opposite sides of the road. On one side were the scattered bones of the dead, and on the other side mounds to indicate burial plots.
"On questioning the chief, he said: 'Yes; our honored dead have their bones exposed, as you see, but those who were of no use are put out of sight underground.'
"So the object seemed to be to keep them where the people could see them?"
"That appears to be the reason the chief gave to Baker. But there may be another reason for this custom, and I shall get Suros' views on that subject."
"Isn't there some religious meaning connected with it," asked Ralph.
"I do not think so. Here is Suros; let us question him."
As Suros approached the Professor said: "I notice that one has been put underground and the other not; why do they observe this difference?"
"We cannot honor the dead by allowing them to go back to the earth."
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"Why will it do any good to honor the dead?"
"If we did not honor them, no one would want to be great. No one would like to be a great warrior."
"Is that the only reward a man has, to be honored after he is dead?"
"What other reward has a man?"
"Do you not think man will live hereafter?"
"When? After he dies?"
"No; how can man live after he dies, and his body is given to the winds or to the earth?"
"The white man believes he will live again?"
"Does the white man believe the yak will live again?"
"No."
"Well the yak is stronger than a man, and if the yak cannot live again, then how can man, who is not so strong, expect to do so?"
This was a bit of philosophy which sounded curiously to the boys, and the Professor, noticing it, said: "Singularly, this is the same answer which Sir Samuel Baker obtained from certain African tribes, when he questioned them in like manner."
But the Professor was interested in Suros' statement that they would not permit the body of the honored dead to go back to the earth, and he continued:
"You said that you did not want the honored dead to go back to the earth. When you give his body to the air, does it not go back to the earth?"
"No; the earth and the air are entirely different, The Great Spirit is in the air; not in the earth."
"Then you give him to the Great Spirit?"
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"Yes; the Great Spirit takes his body."
"Don't you believe that man has a spirit also?"
"No; because we have never seen it."
"But you have never seen the Great Spirit, and yet you say there is one."
"We have seen the Great Spirit. He comes when it rains, and we can see him and hear him. We can feel the wind that he blows, and we can see the great light which he makes every day, and the smaller lights at his villages every night."
Two things were thus impressed on the boys—namely, that they considered the air entirely distinct from the earth, and that the Great Spirit made the thunder and lightning, and that the sun was the Spirit's light by day, and the moon and stars the lights of his villages by night.
Notwithstanding Suros' limited knowledge, it must be said that in his further talk with the Professor he showed himself to be possessed of qualities which placed him far above the common run of the natives. When he was asked why honor was such a prize to them, he answered:
"Our good men are happy to know that they are so placed that the Great Spirit can take them. What greater happiness is there for him?"
"Don't you believe that trying to make your people happy and contented will please the Great Spirit?"
"We do not know that. We do not know why the Great Spirit should want the bodies of our great warriors and good men. We cannot understand it."
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"The white man believes that if you do good to your fellow-man it will please the Great Spirit."
"That may be; but I do not see why. There is no reason why he should care how I treat my people. That is not what he is up there for. What good will it do him? How will it help him? I do not believe many of the things I have been told by the wise men, and I have never sacrificed the captives I have taken, although my father before me did. I try to make my people happy, because when I see the Great Spirit giving us the day and the bright light and the rain, so that the things about us may grow, it seems to me that he is trying to be good to us, and I believe that is what we should do to each other."
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The occupation of the little houses by the families of the natives gave the boys the first close view of the people in their home lives. They were exceedingly primitive. The leaf of the plantain tree was the greatest boon to these people, and the women were engaged most of the time in removing the beautiful fiber and in laboriously weaving cloth from the strands.
They were exceedingly deft in this, and it is singular how quickly they grasped the idea of the loom, as a means to make a better article. The loom used by them was a very crude affair, and an idea may be gained of its form by the accompanying illustration, which shows the fork of a tree branch (A), which serves to hold the ends of the warp threads (B). To weave the goods, the woof thread (C) is threaded back and forth, and as they had no needles for the purpose, a thorn was used.
This thorn had no eye, but its large end was split, and the end of the thread held in the cleft thus made. Every family had this primitive loom, and the whole time, outside of their other household duties, was given to the weaving process.
The size of each woven piece was about twelve by fifteen inches, and the different sections were afterwards sewn together. When they saw thep. 137more modern looms at work it interested them intensely, and the Professor, noticing their eagerness and natural talents in this direction, concluded that this was a good field to encourage the industry.
Fig. 14. Primitive Weaving Frame.Fig. 14.PrimitiveWeavingFrame.
Most of the looms made goods thirty inches wide, and it was not long before several of the women were instructed in the art of using the looms. Like all of the low order of people, they were extremely fond of colors, and that is one of the things which attracted them to the fabrics which had been previously made and exhibited. At the end of the week they were paid for their work, the same as the others who were employed. The Professor now considered it time to make a change in the system of providing supplies. Under the direction of Will, a store was set up, which had on hand a supply of vegetables and game. As many of the warriors were away, and the others were generally employed in the workshop and fields, some systematic effort had to be made to gather food supplies and hunt.
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By offering certain sums for such articles the Professor induced individual effort in that direction. The provender thus provided was placed on sale in the store, and by every art the heads of families were encouraged to purchase those things and take them home for consumption there.
Gradually, the workers were made to understand that a certain sum would be expected in return for their board, so that, in course of time, each one became accustomed to know the values of certain things all of which were measured by the coins now in circulation.
The kitchen utensils were very limited indeed. They had no metal vessels of any kind. Any article of that kind was worth a fortune, and it was only the chiefs who had such things, and they were obtained from the wrecks of vessels which had reached them from time to time.
Under the direction of the Professor, considerable time was given to the bringing in of ores, particularly iron, and the process of recovering the metals from the ores was undertaken by a considerable part of the force.
Charcoal and coke were turned out, as a preliminary to the smelting of the ores, and as fast as the metal was in shape, cooking vessels of various sizes were manufactured, and these were placed on sale at the store. It was thus possible for each family to acquire several articles of this kind, which heretofore had been considered the most valuable of all treasures.
Such a thing as a chair or a table was unknown on the island. The beds were made of the nativep. 139grasses, strewn on the floor. It will be understood, therefore, that the manner of furnishing the houses occupied by the whites was a marvel; and when the families of the various workers moved into their new possessions, it naturally dawned on them that chairs and tables, as well as properly arranged beds, should accompany such luxury.
The Professor was at the homes of these people daily, suggesting ideas for comfort and convenience. One of the things which interested him most was the subject of cleanliness. People living in the manner to which they were accustomed, made the sanitary part of the domestic arrangement an exceedingly difficult problem.
The necessity of cleanliness was impressed on them very forcibly when, later on, he was called to administer to many of the children, who were attacked by diseases, brought on directly by carelessness in thoroughly removing all dirt and decaying matter.
To a certain degree the natives understood this, and the subject has been referred to previously, where they had the habit of anointing their bodies and those of the infants with various oils, which were obnoxious to insects and germs.
That knowledge made the task of using disinfectants much easier to instill in their minds. It was impressed on them that properly caring for the home was a daily task, and must not be neglected.
The women used combs made from the fins of fish. These were constructed in the followingp. 140manner: The entire fin was removed, and the bony structure at the base of the teeth was bound between two strips of bamboo, and tied around by fibers, as shown. The whole was then placed in a vessel containing boiling water. The result was that when taken out the meat of the fish, being glue-like, would act as a cement to hold the teeth in place.
Fig. 15. Comb from fin of Fish.Fig. 15.CombfromfinofFish.
Such combs are anything but sanitary, as might be surmised, and the inhabitants were subject to pests arising from articles so made. Their only salvation was, in fact, the daily habit of using oil, and, from a sanitary point of view, there was nothing objectionable to this excepting the odor which naturally followed, due to the oil becoming rancid. The boys then began to make combs from a specie of bamboo, and from the ironwood tree.
During one of the fishing trips the boys brought home an immense turtle. The Professor's eyes sparkled when he saw it.
Will related their experience in capturing it. "Is it good to eat?" he asked.
"Yes; all turtles and tortoises are good to eat."
"What is the difference between the two?"
"The turtle is a sea animal, and the tortoisep. 141a land and water animal. You must have caught this near the sea, as it is a specie of turtle called the Testudo."
"What a beautiful mottled top it has!"
"That is why it interested me so much," replied the Professor. "You now have something that is far better than the wood for making combs and other like articles."
"Isn't that fine! Will it be difficult to make them up from this?"
"It is the simplest thing in the world. The outer shell, which is all that is used, is put into boiling water, and this softens it so that it can be worked easily."
"It seems singular that it is called a 'tortoise' shell if the land animals are called tortoises."
"When the shell first became a matter of commerce, it was supposed that the turtle and the tortoise were the same, and the name tortoise being much older than turtle, the former appellation remained in designating the shell."
The day and night of festivities of John and the warriors, at the Saboro village, was ended, and the column took up its march for the country of the Illyas.
Several of the scouts, sent out two days before, returned during the night, and reported that there was a strong force directly ahead and that the lower villages were also sending up a body of men, but that the latter were still two days away.
Calling Muro, John asked: "What is the nature of the country to the extreme south, or next to the sea?"
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"I have never been there, but it is elevated, and is a fine country. One of my men has been there, and he may be able to tell you something about it. I will call him."
The warrior alluded to was tall, handsome and fully tattooed, as was the custom with the most distinguished of the Saboros.
"Can you tell me," asked John, "what the nature of the country is south of the mountains, and near the sea?"
"It is the country of the wise men of the Illyas. They will not allow others to go near there."
"Do you know why?"
"It is said there are wonderful things there."
"Do you know whether there are any big holes in the ground there?"
"Yes; and in some of them they keep their captives."
"Do they sacrifice their captives in those places?"
"No; they take them from those places to the villages."
"At what times do they make the sacrifices?"
"When the night is dark."
John understood from this that the sacrifices were during the period when there was no moon.
"Why do you suppose that they wait for that time?" asked George.
"Because the Great Spirit out of anger has hidden the light and to appease him the sacrifices are offered at that period. This is one of the tales that the wise men give out as the excuse for the ceremony."
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John had another motive for these questions, as will appear later on. The main Illyas village was far to the north of the caves mentioned. Besides the main one were three others, all ranging along the western base of the mountain.
"How long will it take us," asked John, "to reach the main village?"
"Osaga knows about that, as he was near there, and was detained for several weeks before he escaped."
"I had forgotten about that." He was, however, at this time, one of the scouts, and when he returned later in the evening, said:
"We can reach there in two days, unless we should be met by the Illyas on the way. I do not think they will retreat without making a show of fight, as they will have all their warriors in the field, when they know we are marching against them."
At the rate they were going, the main force of the enemy would be reached during the day, unless they should retreat. The opinion of both Uraso and Muro was that they would not permit too close approach to the village before offering fight.
The entire route from Unity, and through the Saboro country, was one continual stretch of immense undulating plains, covered at intervals with magnificent forests, and it was evident that the soil was rich and capable of yielding any products in profusion.
The weather, too, was magnificent. Indeed, it was at a time of the year when there were fewp. 144storms, the moisture being sufficient to support the growing vegetation and keeping it a beautiful green. What a paradise this part of the island would be made, if it could be maintained in peace!
The march was a continued and steady one, the warriors appearing happy and acted as though they were going to a festival, instead of to war. Early in the afternoon the advance scouts reported the first sight of the savages, but only detached bands, which indicated, however, that they were not far away.
Several hours before they had entered the Illyas' country. There was no strict dividing line between the different countries, but it appeared to be tacitly agreed that certain water courses, or other natural lines, marked the territorial limits of each.
These divisions were so little understood, in fact, by either, that they caused frequent disputes. A party from one tribe in hunting would, incautiously, venture too far, and if the other party happened to be near, and in sufficient force, would attack on the plea that the territory had been invaded.
This was a matter which the present campaign would settle, because the Professor saw the necessity of accurately prescribing the limits held by each tribe.
It was five o'clock in the evening before reports came in that the main body of the enemy was in sight. John went forward with Uraso and Muro, fully a mile beyond the main force, andp. 145on the way selected a good camping spot, leaving several there to order the main body to encamp when they arrived.
With the scouts now returning, and which were picked up, a fairly adequate idea was obtained as to the number, which was variously estimated at two hundred and fifty, which did not take into consideration the warriors from the other villages, because they now had knowledge of at least one party from the south, on the way to reinforce the Illyas.
John gave strict orders that no one should fire a gun during the night, and that a double line of guards should be maintained. The course pursued during the campaign was as follows: Thirty pickets were selected for the watch, five from each tribe. These formed fifteen posts, two warriors being at each post, and it was arranged that the two should be of different tribes, and as all were in supporting distance of each other, in case of an alarm, one of the two watchers would thus be in a position to quickly alarm the camp.
An advance set of pickets was also thrown out, under the personal command of Muro, to watch the enemies' camp. Fortunately, there was no alarm during the night. Early in the morning the forces were put in line for approaching the Illyas' camp.
When the first advance came within sight of their camp, the utmost consternation and confusion resulted, showing how carefully John had concealed their movements.
Muro's scouts had the fortune to capture onep. 146of the Illyas, who was evidently one of the hunters, and the captive was brought in at the time when some of his own men had advanced uncautiously too far.
He was brought before John at once, who addressed him as follows:
"Why have your people started out on the warpath against us?"
"Because you killed our warriors in the last battle."
It is singular how the natives in all their interviews of like nature, always found it convenient to refer to the last and most immediate act as a particular reason for their enmity. In this respect they were veritable children.
They might have been, as they were in this case, the original aggressors, but if an attempt is made to repay them the original cause of the strife is forgotten, and the last act only is considered. John knew it would be of no use to argue the matter with him.
"You may go back to your chief and tell him that we have come to get the captives he has. You must tell him that we have no desire to injure him or his people. Tell him that all the tribes are now united, and that if he does not give up the white people and all others, we will take him and his villages, and give his lands to the other tribes.
"You must further tell him that we must have his answer at once, and if he does not answer by the time the sun is above us (noon), we will consider him our enemy, and shall attack him."
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The captive received full instructions from Uraso, who warned him that if he failed to convey this information in the manner given it would go hard with him.
John went forward with the prisoner, and he was released within sight of the Illyas' camp. The enemy was at that time in great commotion, as they were, from all indications, preparing for defense.
They occupied a naturally strong position. The camp was on the western side of a hill and at the bottom was a small stream.
Directly behind the camp was a heavy forest, which, in case of retreat, would afford them shelter. There was a bend in the river, where the camp was located, so that the position was impregnable as against the native weapons.
The Illyas were not counting on meeting a foe armed with guns like the allies possessed. They did not conceive how their enemies could possibly make a sufficient number of guns to count against their numbers and their skill.
In the talks which John had with Uraso he learned the history of this peculiar tribe. Originally the tribe had practical sway over the entire island. They were bitter and vindictive, and this intense feeling was that which acted against them in the end.
The result was that in times past a constant tribal warfare was in evidence among the heads of the leading families. The Kurabus and the Tuolos were originally Illyas, or offshoots from this great tribe. This was also shown by thep. 148characteristics of those three tribes, and by their dress as well as language.
John had noticed that the Berees were the whitest people on the island, and that the Osagas and Saboros were much lighter in color than the other tribes. Uraso confirmed Suros' statement to the Professor, that there was white blood in the veins of many of the people of these three tribes, brought about by castaways who had been adopted by the people in earlier times.
The Illyas kept themselves aloof from the others, excepting the Tuolos and Kurabus, and these three tribes were the only ones who still adhered to the custom of offering up captives as sacrifices.
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Affairs at Unity were moving along at marvelous speed. Suros, chief of the Berees, announced to the Professor that he did not intend to return to his country, but would send for his family and the families of all his chiefs. This was, indeed, a pleasant surprise for the Professor.
Oma, of the Brabos, was the next to fall into line, and we have already stated that such was Muro's intention. The bringing together of all these interests, to form one common family, was really the intention of the Professor, and it was now being carried out without any suggestion on his part.
Each day brought to the village accessions from some of the tribes, mainly the women and children of those who were employed, or who were with John's forces.
Four days after John's departure the Professor saw one of the Tuolos approaching, carrying an infant, with his wife and two other children. The Professor went out to meet them, calling Will, as he saw they were in a famished condition. It was the native referred to previously, who had begged permission to bring his family to Unity.
Several of the little cottages had been completed, and the surprise of the Tuolo and his wifep. 150was complete when he led them to one of these homes, and installed them in it.
Food was brought, and the native cooks ordered to prepare it for them at once. The act so astonished the Tuolo chief, Marmo, that he could not express himself. For a day he sat pondering. The Professor noticed the act, but he said nothing. The next morning Marmo called, and said:
"I can see why the White Chief told me it was well to act so the people would not want another chief."
"But I am not acting in this way so that the people will want to keep me as their chief."
This reply puzzled him.
"But why do you treat my people in this way?"
"Because he is a man just like myself. I have no right to treat him in any other way."
"But he is only a ravoo (common) man."
"Why is he only a common man?"
"Because he is not a warrior, nor were his people warriors before him."
"But he is a man, the same as you and I are. Because he is not a warrior, or was not born of some one who was a warrior, or if he does not belong to the family of a chief, makes no difference to the white man. His children may become chiefs, or great men, and if we show them that they may become like we are, it will make all of them better, and it will not injure us."
This philosophy was too deep for the chieftain. He could not comprehend it, nor could he findp. 151words to express his opinions of the new light which it gave him.
"Is that why you teach the people to make so many things?"
"No; that is for an entirely different reason. We teach people to make these things so they may be able to help themselves and make their wives and children happy. We try to teach them that it is wrong to be idle. To let them know that there is a better way to live than by fighting each other or injuring their neighbors."
"But why do you act so kindly to one of my people when we tried to kill you?"
"That makes no difference to us now. You acted that way because you did not know any better. You would not try to injure us now, would you? Do you think that man would be my enemy? When he tells his friends what I have done, will they be my enemy?"
"These things are all so new to me. There will be no more Tuolos, or Osagas, or Berees."
"Yes; there will be the same tribes always. In the white man's country there are still the same tribes in the different countries. They love to think of their own country and their own people, even though they may live with the other tribes, and when a man goes from one tribe to live with another, the people protect him just the same as though he was one of them."
The Professor was not yet through with his lesson, and suggested that Marmo should accompany him. They wandered through the town, and called at the cottage of the newly arrived Tuolo.p. 152The children were playing about, and the wife was supremely happy, but awed when the Professor and chief appeared.
The Professor took up the little one and affectionately caressed it, to the astonishment of the mother. She knew the Chief Marmo would not condescend to such an act; but to think that the Great White Chief should do such a thing was something beyond her comprehension.
Marmo looked on in amazement. It was another thing which was unlike any teaching or belief that he had ever known, that it made a powerful impression on him.
This is but one incident in the history of the village which tended to instill in the minds of the people, the cardinal duty of man to man. It was a practical example, and the knowledge of it went from family to family. It became one of the topics of conversation among the men. Equal and exact justice was meted out to each, irrespective of what their tribal relations might be.
In the absence of Harry and George, Ralph and Jim had charge of the factory, and were busy each day turning out plows and other agricultural implements. At the suggestion of the Professor, eight more of the steers had been trained to work, and he gathered together a dozen of the best men, and gave instructions to secure as many of the yaks as could be found.
He offered certain sums for this purpose. It was known that, to the west, and north of the great forest, were large herds running wild. The proposal stirred them to activity. The party prep. 153pared for the hunt, and in this were assisted by Blakely, who gave them many timely hints as to the best method to lasso them.
The first expedition started the day after John left, and within a week the first installment of ten animals arrived, and they had returned for more. These were tamed and broken to work. The scenes about the town were assuming the proportions of a vast beehive of the most earnest and enthusiastic workers that it was possible to imagine.
Fields were now laid out, and certain money offers made for the production of seeds of various kinds. Coffee-tree shoots, nutmeg plants, cocoa cuttings, and many other like species of vegetation were apportioned to the newly plowed fields.
Every kind of vegetable known to the island, and which now grew in a wild, but scattered, state, was sought for, and distributed in small patches over the plowed area. Fruit trees were set out, and these latter, with a view to make them the home sites which were to be the next lines to be developed.
It will thus be seen that there was enough to tax the energies of Blakely and the Professor, to keep the laborers employed, and prevent any drones from getting into the hive.
When the captive Illyas which John had sent with the ultimatum did not return, nor did the enemy show any symptoms of complying when the sun neared midday, it was concluded that thep. 154only plan to pursue would be a quick and a sharp assault.
The moment the sun reached its height, John ordered Muro to take one hundred of the men by a detour to the right, and Uraso with a like number to the left.
"Cross the stream and close up behind them in the woods. I will make the attack, and you remain at a distance. If they should attempt to retreat I will follow them up rapidly. We must, if possible, force their surrender."
The two forces were off promptly, and within a half hour John judged that they must be in position. The Illyas were still on the hill in force, apparently not suspecting that two flanking columns were in their rear.
As John gave the order to march forward there was the crack of a half dozen guns to their right, in the position occupied by Muro's force. This startled the Illyas, as it did John. The latter interpreted this at once. It was, undoubtedly, a reinforcing band which Muro had intercepted.
This was indeed the case. The knowledge of this force coming to their assistance, was probably the reason why the Illyas were so defiant. Muro, at the head of fifty of his men, charged the band, to prevent them from uniting, but at the same time it brought down on him a large portion of the Illyas. Uraso, suspecting the truth, and knowing that the excited movement of the Illyas indicated a rush to assist, broke through the woods and thus struck them on their left flank, which so surprised them that they brokep. 155in confusion and, fled before John and the main body could come up.
The entire Illyas force was now in confusion. John was in possession of their camp, and Uraso's warriors were hurrying through the dense woods, so that between the three forces, a number were captured in the effort to escape to the east and south.
Within an hour, not an Illyas was in sight, except those captured, but the main force, unfortunately, escaped. The wagons were brought up, and now came the problem, how to get them through the forest, without making too much of a detour.
Uraso suggested that Stut should take a sufficient number of warriors to afford protection, and descend the stream to a point below where the country was clearer, and then trail to the east and meet the main column five miles west of the main village.
The pursuers, under the leadership of John, followed the trails of the disorganized Illyas, in the hope that they would be able to be close on their heels when they emerged from the forest four miles beyond.
They found this forest maze the most remarkable of any wooded area on the island. The trees were not only immense, but the undergrowth exceedingly dense. It is not often the case that the two growths are found together, and it would have been impossible to get the wagons through the mass.
This forest was in reality the great barrier,p. 156which kept the Illyas in such a protected position against the inroads of the other tribes, even though they should have combined, and they counted on this bulwark to protect them in the present case.
It took the pursuing force over three hours to push its way through, and they had the satisfaction of seeing the main body of the Illyas beyond, and brought together in a compact organization. As soon as the opening was reached, they halted for the noon meal, and instructions were given to follow up as hurriedly as possible.
"We should move our force to the south, and attack them from that side," said John, "for the reason that their only hope of reinforcements is from that quarter."
The villages were lying along the base of the mountain range, the general altitude of the great plain being fully two hundred feet higher than the other level portions of the island. The mountains to the east, while not high as mountains go, were by far the greatest of any on the island, and John was anxious to know their character, for reasons heretofore explained.
In two hours more they would reach the vicinity of the main village, and the great struggle for the mastery would begin. In the distance could be seen the main portion of the town, and it was far more imposing than any other in the island. There was more or less a mystery about the place.
Uraso said: "The place we are now going to is the oldest village in the country. Many, many years ago it was a great village, and had bigp. 157houses. They were built by some people that no one knows, but they were not built to live in."
"Do you know what they are like?" asked John.
"Nobody can tell, because they do not keep captives there, and only take them to that place for the sacrifices."
"How do you know that the place has the wonderful buildings you speak of?"
"This was learned from the only captive who ever escaped from them at the place. I was kept at the village to the north, and it was from that place I escaped."
As the village was neared the sight of the buildings astonished John. While not massive, they were of a type entirely distinct from the native huts. It was built on an elevated plateau and amidst most magnificent trees, the most prominent of which were the great redwoods.
Some little indications of ground cultivation were found, as they passed the deserted huts on their way. Small patches of yam and cassava were the principal vegetables noticed.
It was nearly four o'clock before they crossed a stream of water, flowing to the south, and beyond which a good glimpse of the village could be seen. John surveyed the scene and was astonished at the character of the spot, since it had evidently been chosen by design, and for some particular reason.
Its location at an altitude which commanded a view to the north and south, and also afforded a view to the west, betokened some reason not compatible with the savage idea of a town. Allp. 158villages thus far found were close to streams, and were located apparently by chance, but here was a town which was more like a civilized place, since it was so located that it afforded the finest opportunity for drainage.
But another surprise was in store for John. "What are those peculiarly formed hills which run to the right and left?" he asked.
Muro had noticed them, but was unable to answer.
"I have heard," said Uraso, "that they have earth-houses to protect the town, but I do not know how they are made."