"Thatwas an awfully sly thing to do, as soon as our backs were turned," said George, as Sutoto and Cinda were finally free from the vigorous greetings.
"What is that?" asked Cinda.
"To run away without giving us notice!"
"But we have seen the great wide world, and it is wonderful, and I can never tell the people here how grand it is."
And then the boys looked at Cinda, and when they saw the latest fashions displayed, the prettiest gown, the neatest slippers, and the stunning hat they took off their caps, and made a neat bow in recognition of that feminine touch of character which so readily adapts the sex for acquiring the latest fashions wherever they may be.
Every one was wild with excitement. "There is Blakely!" shouted Harry. "Hurrah! old boy! We have the place for you to visit, as soon as possible. The finest island you ever saw, and the people all ready for business."
"My hands are full now; we must have another ship. Look at theWonder; she is so full of goods that we are more than eight hours behind time. But I am arranging for another steamer."
"Too bad that we are finding more islands thanp. 188you can handle," responded George; "I suppose we shall have to find another manager?"
"Or several assistants," said Blakely.
"What are all these men here for?" asked Harry. "Why the whole island must have come to town."
"Well, we have had to send for all the spare men from the different tribes. Fifty of the Tuolos just came in this morning, and thirty of the Illyas arrived yesterday, with their families. TheWondermust be unloaded, and start back again before six this evening. But what did you find that looks as good as Venture Island?"
"Rescue Island; a dandy place, and much bigger than Venture Island. And what do you think? We found a chief there who is a white man," remarked George.
"A white man? Where is he from?"
"Massachusetts; and he is humpbacked, but as bright as can be."
"I saw him, did I not? He was on thePioneer?"
"Yes; there he is with Ta Babeda."
"Ta what?"
"That's the Chief's name who owned the other tribe on Rescue Island. Isn't he an immense fellow? But he is a brick; I can tell you. Come over and I'll introduce you," and Harry pulled Blakely over while the latter resisted, as the men were constantly besieging Blakely for orders.
"Never mind the work now. Get acquainted with thebigmen first," and the Professor laughed as he saw the boys forcibly tug at Blakely and haul him over to the group.
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"This is one of the big men we have on the island," said Harry to Ta Babeda, and the latter looked at Blakely for a moment, and began to smile, for while Blakely was chunky he was not at all large, if the Chief might be taken as a standard.
He took Ta Babeda's hand, and welcomed him most heartily, and then turned to Ephraim, and also extended a greeting.
"This is the man who does all the business," said Harry, "and he is going to make you a visit." At this point they were interrupted.
"Shall we store all the pineapples aft," said a man hurriedly.
"No; put them amidship," he answered.
"We have no crates for the vegetables," said another.
"Never mind, put them in the large boxes, and they can be crated on the way."
"Some more men have just come; what shall we put them at?" was the report of another, and so from one to the other, Blakely was ever ready with a prompt answer.
The Chiefs and Ephraim watched and wondered at Blakely and his constant readiness to entertain them, meanwhile giving orders to hundreds of the workers who were crowding about. It was an object lesson of what business meant, and the boys felt proud and happy to see the great ability which he displayed.
But what a happy day it was for the Professor. He and John were in close conference, after the formal introductions were over. "There is somep. 190thing brewing," said George as he nudged Harry, and cast a glance toward the place where they stood in earnest conversation.
"I do believe John is telling him about the copper box; and by the way, he has never spoken about that since we took it out of the cave. That is just what he is doing; see, he is indicating the size of it."
Harry laughed, as he answered: "I am satisfied they will not do anything rash, without consulting us," and George laughed at Harry's view of the case.
They had been absent from the island a little over a month. During their absence the new hotel was completed and was now in running order. This became the headquarters for the visitors. While it was only two stories in height, it contained nearly a hundred rooms, and the utmost effort was made to make all of them comfortable.
The boys had their own rooms, and could not be induced to give them up. John and the Professor also maintained their old rooms, which were most comfortable, and attached to the Professor's apartments was a large room where the people came daily to see him and consult about their many wants.
He never failed to see them. It mattered not who called, it was unvarying custom to greet all alike. The affection for him in the minds of the people grew stronger day by day.
There were now five of the Chiefs on Wonder Island permanent residents in Unity. A great change had come over the feelings of the people with respect to the ownership of land. When the town was laid out, and the people began to flock top. 191the place, attracted by its many advantages, it began to look for a time as though the different Chiefs soon would find themselves without subjects.
In addition to this the Professor recognized that too many of the people were expecting to be put to work in the city, and this would cause agriculture to be abandoned, whereas it was obvious that they must depend upon the soil for sustenance.
John and the Professor therefore developed a plan which would be the means of keeping the people in their own sections, or, at least, encourage them to till the ground.
The Chiefs in Wonder Island owned the soil. Their people reserved to themselves the right to hunt and to gather the fruits and nuts necessary to sustain life. But they had no right whatever, independently of the Chiefs.
The first step, therefore, was to gain the consent of these rulers to a division of the land, so that all their people might have farms. Uraso and Muro were the first to agree to the plan, and it was quickly followed by all except the Tuolos and the Illyas.
The Chiefs themselves, under this plan, were to receive one quarter of the acreage, and of the residue, one-third was to be turned into what was called a state fund, to be used for schools and for administrative purposes, while the balance was to be given to the people, who were to select their own land.
For the purpose of enabling proper deeds to be made, it was necessary to make a survey of the islands, and this had been completed six months previously, so that many of the people who now understood that the lands selected belonged to them,p. 192and could not be taken from them without their consent, were only too happy to consent to remain on their own land.
But here another problem presented itself. It was desirable that the people should build homes on these farms, and Blakely and John evolved the plan to provide certain quantities of lumber, at a low price, to be paid for from the products of the land. This had a most stimulating effect, and applications were coming in from every quarter. As a result small saw mills were put up in the territorial limits of each of the tribes, so that it was an easy matter for the people to get the lumber near home.
But that which taxed the energies of Blakely most, was to provide the farming implements and the seed and instruction necessary to start them on the way. As it was impossible to provide all the tools and implements required for this purpose, Blakely had recourse to the States, and by inserting a few advertisements in the agricultural papers throughout our country, it was not long before the implements were forthcoming, all of which were paid for from the reserve fund which had been provided.
And now another thing of the utmost importance happened. It was noised about from Maine to California that there was an immense opportunity to make money in the now well-known Wonder Island. Every return trip of theWonderfrom the nearest South American port, brought Americans, with funds to invest in plantations and in setting out coffee trees and banana groves.
Many Americans came from the great ranches of South America, particularly Brazil, which furnishesp. 193full three-fourths of all the coffee of commerce. These men went through the islands and began the barter for the lands.
At first this was encouraged, but it was soon, discovered that the shrewd, and, more frequently than otherwise, the unscrupulous traders were cheating the unsophisticated people, so that the Professor had to take a firm hand, and declare that no transfers would be made until the sales had been investigated.
This made the prices of lands go up by leaps and bounds, and the Professor told the people that they should not sell their holdings, as it would be much better for them to own and till the farms than to sell them and then work for the owners.
All this tended to make the people appreciate that they really owned something—that they had wealth and power within their grasp. Then began, or rather was carried out more systematically, the founding of schools, and by many means the parents themselves were induced to attend the schools.
All were taught English. With the large funds that the state had obtained in selling a portion of the state lands, the Professor sent for teachers from the United States, and these came prepared to take up the work all over the island.
The most interested workers were the Korinos, as they were called on Rescue Island, and Krishnos on Wonder Island. The Professor's first work, after the conquest of the savages, was to educate those people for teaching, and in this they were found to be very efficient workers.
The Korinos brought from Rescue were placed under the tuition of the Krishnos, and it was surp. 194prising to see how happily they regarded their lot, and what progress they made after they understood what was required.
Although we have not a full account of all the products shipped from Wonder Island during the first six months, it might be stated that during the last thirty days, the shipments from the port of Unity, comprised 60,000 pounds of coffee, eighteen tons of bananas, and six hundred quintals of spices, besides over four hundred tons of fibres, of which jute formed one-half.
It is estimated that within another year, when many of the large plantations should be ready to yield their products, that amount would be increased to such an extent that several additional ships would be necessary to carry the tonnage.
The foregoing is particularly instanced to show what John could point out to the Chiefs who were now their guests, and to impress upon them the necessity and value of adopting such a land system as they had established.
Ephraim readily understood and approved of the plan, but it was not so easy for Ta Babeda, and Beralsea. At the quiet suggestion of John the opportunity was made whereby they were constantly thrown into contact with the resident chiefs. Within a week they accepted the suggestions and a half dozen surveyors were commissioned to go to the islands and take up the work of surveying the lands, and making records, which were to be put into such form that the Chiefs would understand them.
One day Ephraim, in conversation with John said: "I want my boys to remain with you until they rep. 195ceive their education. I see that the opportunities for work are unlimited, and I would also like to send over a number of young men for the same purpose."
"Your decision pleases us immensely," said John, "and I have been wondering why your daughter would not also like to remain for a time, as there is much she can learn that will be of great help to you."
Ephraim was silent for a while, while he looked at John, and he finally answered: "That means my wife will remain here also. But that has my hearty consent. It will be for their good, and for the good of my people."
It was not long before Ta Babeda heard of Ephraim's decision, and he adapted the same course to the delight of his children. As for Beralsea, his favorite daughter was already the wife of the Chief Sutoto, of the Berees, and it was certain that she would remain in Unity, so that there was no difficulty in getting his consent to sending his children and others who would carry on the work of education.
But the boys had not, in the meantime, forgotten their factory. The old water wheel was still there. Money could not purchase it, and they would not permit its removal. It was the same old crude wheel built nearly three years before at the Cataract, at the other end of the island, not more than two miles from the rocky shore where the sea gave them up.
After the return there had been so much to see and to learn, about the new developments, and the visitors required so much attention that the boys quite forgot the copper box, and to inquire aboutp. 196the condition of the paralyzed man who was found at Hutoton.
"The Professor has just told me," remarked John, "that the old man is improving, and hopes that within another month he will be able to talk."
"Has he any idea of what his name is?"
"Not in the least. He keeps mumbling something aboutthe triangle, or something of that kind, but that is, of course, unintelligible."
"I understand Retlaw is improving, also?"
"Yes; we have thought of bringing the two men together, as soon as the paralytic is so improved that he can talk."
"I have often wondered what kind of a disease paralysis is?" inquired Harry.
"Paralysis is not a disease of itself. It is merely a sign of some disorder of the nervous system. It may be shown by complete disability on one side of the body, or in some particular portion, and only certain sets of nerves may be affected."
"But what seems so singular is, that he is not only unable to speak but he cannot move about."
"The form of paralysis, which affects the memory, is calleddementia paralytica, and attacks the brain, while some portion of the body also may be affected."
"Isn't it curable?"
"There is little hope for a permanent cure. If the attack should come on suddenly it is the most dangerous. Where it seems to approach gradually, there is more likelihood of being able to check it."
"In what way is there an improvement in the old man?"
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"So far as the bodily ailment is concerned he is gaining. When he was brought back he was unable to utter a single word, nor could he move himself in any way, except with one arm, and that only to a small degree. Now he is able to shuffle along, across the room, and sometimes tries to say something, which is not distinct. The only thing which thus far seems intelligible is the wordtriangle, as I have stated."
"Harry spoke about the copper box this morning. Have you opened it yet?" asked George.
"Oh, no! I wouldn't think of doing it unless you were present. The Professor and I have had several talks about it, but we have all been so busy that the matter has been deferred from time to time. I hope we shall be able to get at it to-night."
While thus engaged in conversation the Professor appeared, smiling and happy. The boys greeted him affectionately, as was their custom always.
"Do you want to make a visit with me?" he asked.
"Yes; where?" asked George.
"We will go out on B Street first," he answered.
Together they passed the large school house, and crossed the open square, and entered the most beautiful of all the streets, the one laid out with rows of trees along the curbs, and flower beds along the middle portion of the driveway.
"Can you guess where we are going?" asked the Professor.
"No."
"Do you see the newly-painted house to the right?"
"Is that where Sutoto lives?"
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"Yes; there is Cinda. Isn't she happy, though?"
They went in and were accorded a happy welcome. Her father, the Chief, Beralsea, and her mother, Minda, were there, but Sutoto was absent.
"And where is the bridegroom?" asked the Professor.
"He is in the yard somewhere. I will call him." And she tripped out the steps, merry as a lark.
Sutoto came in, and the boys simply shouted at his appearance. He was covered with dirt and grease, and made no great effort to conceal the fact.
"And what have you been up to?" asked George.
"Come out and I will show you."
In the little "garage," if it might be so termed, was an auto, one which Sutoto had purchased and brought back with him on his wedding trip. "I was going to send for you," he said, addressing Harry, "because I have been having trouble with the carbureter."
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Theboys were simply wild with delight, and George commenced to laugh immoderately, after viewing the brightly-polished machine.
"What is the matter? Anything wrong? Is it upside down?" asked Sutoto.
"No; I was just thinking how funny it seems that one of the wild savages of the island should be the first to import an automobile."
Sutoto didn't in the least mind this allusion to his former condition, but the boys were the only ones who dared to jest with him in this manner. He joined in the laugh, but quickly replied:
"But I am not the only one favored in this way."
"Why not?"
"I know some other people who are indulging in pleasure cars also."
"Who is that?"
"Well, Blakely has one, a fine little car he calls a 'runabout.'"
"He never said anything about it. Then he brought one over for John, and another for the Professor, but you must keep quiet; they are not to know anything about it."
"Then there are two more machines down there that have queer names on them, because the fellowsp. 200themselves are peculiar, and are awfully civilized," said Sutoto, with a faint attempt at a smile.
Harry laid down the wrench and turned to Sutoto. "What are the names?" he asked, for the first time interested.
"On one it says 'Mayfield,' and 'Crandall' on the other." And Sutoto said this without cracking a smile, or indicating that he really knew who the names applied to.
Probably, no one on the island, at least among the natives, really knew the boys by any other designation than George and Harry. The surnames were of no use. Sutoto was simply "Sutoto," and no more, and so with Uraso and Muro.
The Professor and the old Chief heard the hilarity, and were soon out of the house, and although the boys and Sutoto tried to push the machine behind the garage, they were too late for the Professor's quick eye.
He laughed when he saw the commotion. "It is all right; if I were not so old, I would get one myself."
"That's just the time you need it," said Harry. "By the way," he continued, "I will bring it around to your place this afternoon."
"Bring what?" asked the Professor.
"Your car; of course." And Sutoto and the boys laughed at the Professor's discomfiture.
"I thought there was some job about to be put up on me. I wondered why Blakely tried to keep me out of the warehouse yesterday."
But while this merry scene was taking place, five new machines were coming along B Street, withp. 201Blakely in the first one, and a competent chauffeur in each of the others.
"The first is yours, Harry, and the next one, with the red body is yours, George," said Blakely. "I thought we should surprise you."
"Why, there is John, too!" exclaimed Sutoto.
"Yes; he is in his car; he was greatly surprised. But the Professor's car is a neat one; don't you think so?"
The boys had no ears for any one or for anything. Each was a forty-horse power roadster, while the Professor's car had a five-passenger body, was handsomely upholstered, and equipped with particularly easy-riding springs. John's machine was equally well built, and after the boys had made a full examination of their own treasures, they investigated the other cars, and marveled at their beauty and appearance of comfort.
The procession of the machines naturally attracted the people who came from all directions to witness the wonder wagons which ran by themselves. They crowded around, and listened to every comment. The old Chief was the one most excited at the strange things.
Neither Sutoto nor Cinda had informed them of the autos, because it was intended to have quite a surprise party, and it was afterwards learned that Blakely and Sutoto had planned to give all of them a surprise. The fact that the Professor and the boys, having gone to Sutoto that morning, were absent from their homes, precipitated to disclosure, so that John was found and together they went to Sutoto's house.
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You may be sure that it did not take the boys long to learn the mysteries of the machines, and they were with Sutoto, until he got the hang of the motor, and could spin along as fast as any of them.
The old Chief was finally induced to get into the Professor's machine, and the latter instructed the driver to proceed slowly. Minda, who was with them, was the braver of the two, by far. The speed was about six miles an hour, at which the Chief marveled.
Then, gradually, the driver speeded up, until they were making a comfortable speed of fifteen miles an hour. As confidence increased the pleasure grew stronger, and before they returned on the first trip he was as determined as could be to have one for his own use.
Blakely took note of his wish, and said: "I shall see to it that on the return trip one of the machines will be shipped to you, but it will be two weeks before theWondercomes in."
From that day on Sutoto had his hands full entertaining the Chief, but the boys relieved him of much of this, by taking him from place to place, where he saw the work going on in all parts of the beautiful country, and witnessed the planting of the groves, the gathering of the crops, and the way in which the produce was handled at the wharf.
Sutoto's home was a beautiful structure of five rooms, all nicely furnished, the gift of the Professor. The boys enjoyed the visits there. Sutoto was always a boy to them, and Cinda a happy bride,—and a woman of whom any one might be proud.
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When Beralsea, her father, decided that his children must remain and attend the schools there, the adjoining cottage was prepared for them, and Minda consented to stay, but Beralsea, who had now partaken of the commercial instincts, under the tutelage of Blakely, was determined to return at once and revolutionize the condition of affairs in Venture Island.
That day he and Ta Babeda had a long conversation, and together they visited John and Ephraim, and then called in Blakely. The boys were present, of course, and it then turned out that they had agreed upon a plan to start the agricultural work in the two islands conjointly, and the only question which remained was to take care of the management of the work.
Both of the Chiefs declared that they did not possess the qualifications to direct the work, and Ephraim pleaded age as the reason why it would be impossible to undertake the burdens.
"I have an idea," he said, "that the best solution would be to make George and Harry the managers for the islands. I have been with the boys for some time, and see what they are capable of, and every one would be glad to work under them."
The boys were, of course, somewhat confused at the encomium, and the Professor came to their rescue. "These are my boys," he said. "I have known them ever since they came to the island. They have been with me under every condition of service. We have had hours and days of pleasure, and of trials, such as few have undergone, and alp. 204ways, whatever the circumstances, they have been manly, and never gave up, although sometimes things seemed hopeless.
"You have seen how, through their ingenuity, they have built the water wheel, the mills and the factories. Fortune has been kind to them; they do not need the money that may come to them, as they have found riches here, far greater than you know, but they have loved the work, for the pleasure it has brought them, and it is for them to decide."
"Harry and I have talked about these things many times," answered George. "When we first came to the island, we had nothing. For our own preservation we set about to better our condition, began to build the things necessary to maintain life, and to protect ourselves.
"What at first was a necessity, later became a pleasure, because we could see, day after day, how we built the shop and the machinery out of the crude things; it would be hard to leave that work now."
Harry approvingly nodded his head, as he responded: "I consider it a pleasure to do anything which would help the people here. George and I feel that it would be wrong to leave them, so long as we can be of service to them.
"The money we have will not make us happy; that I know, unless we can use it to do some good. And it is so with our time, also. I am as willing to give that as money, because we have been amply rewarded and now our duty is to the people here."
As a result of the conference it was agreed that George and Harry should take up the management of the affairs on Venture and Rescue Islands, they top. 205decide which should be the particular sphere of each.
The Chiefs were immensely pleased at this arrangement, and the first steps were taken to put their plans into execution.
John advised them that they should decide which island each would take, and then each should cultivate the acquaintance of the young men that the Chiefs should select, so that the administrative functions could be instilled into them, and that they might be taught the business qualifications necessary.
George laughingly remarked that as the Chief Beralsea had so accommodatingly captured him, when they first arrived on the island, he thought that their intimate acquaintance, which was so long prior to Harry's should decide the matter in his favor, by taking Venture Island.
"That suits me all right. I have one advantage over you on Rescue Island; and that is the caves. You haven't even an excuse for a cave."
"But I have Hutoton, that terrible place where the criminals live," retorted George, with a laugh.
"And that reminds me; what about the copper box?"
The boys wended their way to the Professor, and were delighted to find John there. "Before we go we want to have the copper box opened," remarked Harry.
"I have just brought it around, in the machine," said John, as he noticed the boys peering at it through the window.
"What is that in the package lying on the box?"
"Can't you guess?"
"No."
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"Have you forgotten the skull with the inscription on it?"
"Do you mean the skull we found on the headland at the eastern end of the island?"
"Yes."
"Why, what is that for? Do you think it has anything to do with the box?"
"Probably not; but I was curious to examine it further in view of the similarity of the chart and the inscription."
The boys could not possibly understand what was meant by such a reference. While they were talking the Professor entered the room, and remarked, "I have just come from the old fellow, and his reason is returning under the treatment, and he is also better physically."
"Do you mean the paralytic?"
"Yes; but there is one thing which is singular, and that is the constant muttering of the wordtriangle. This morning I could plainly distinguish several other words, such as 'of' and 'three,' and 'very well,' and parts of other words, showing that in time, if his improvement continues, we may get more information."
"I have an idea," hurriedly shouted George as he broke for the door. "Wait for me," he said, as he turned around and cast a glance back into the room. "I will be back at once," were the last words they heard.
John laughed at George's precipitous flight. "I suppose he has just thought of something that bears on the case. In the meantime, and while George isp. 207away, you, Harry, might get a hammer and a cold chisel. We may have to cut the top off."
Harry rushed out and taking John's machine was quickly at the shop, where he secured a hammer and several cold chisels capable of cutting the copper.
When he returned George was there, and was unfolding the paper scrap which they found below the skull. "Probably, this will explain the triangle," said George, as he pointed to the V-shaped mark. "The upper part of it is very likely worn away, so that we cannot see it."
John smiled at the suggestion as he took the paper and carefully examined it. "Your view may be correct," he responded.
"That looks like a suggestion of a line," said Harry, pointing to a faint scratch near the upper margin.
The Professor's messenger came in hurriedly, and announced that the paralytic had sent for him. "I will return by the time the box is opened," said the Professor, as he hurriedly went out of the door.
"Now for the box," said Harry. The slitting chisel was applied, and he dextrously cut along the top, under the directions of John.
"Direct the chisel downwardly, to see if there is any seam to be found along the side," directed John.
"Yes; here is the place where the top was put on," shouted Harry.
"Why, it has been soldered," said George. "Well, that means business."
It was evident that the soldering was effectively done, because the solder had run entirely through thep. 208seam, and it was really sweated on. The copper used was about an eighth of an inch thick, and the soft and ductile character showed that it was pure metal.
"Be very careful as you get around so as not to disturb the contents, by the falling of the lid," said John.
It still adhered at various places, and this was carefully cut away by one of the thin chisels, and the lid finally raised at one corner, sufficiently to disclose a portion of the contents, which appeared to be round and white, and resting near the center of the space.
All caught a glimpse of it, and involuntarily started back in surprise. It was a skull, the counterpart of the one lying on the table which contained the inscription.
"Open it wide," said John in a peculiar voice, and as he did so the Professor rushed in and announced that the paralytic had recovered speech, and he had ordered him to be brought in.
While the Professor was saying this, John was slowly raising the lid, and by a quick motion tore it away, and the Professor was actually taken aback at the sight before him. He gazed for a moment, and then muttered: "And the same inscription too!"
All looked toward it in amazement, and while puzzling over its meaning, the paralytic was helped in by two attendants. He came forward, saw the two skulls, and before either could prevent it he collapsed and fell to the floor, apparently lifeless.
He was gathered up and placed on a couch, and restoratives applied by the Professor. He lay thusp. 209in a stupor for more than a half hour, but soon returning consciousness began to manifest itself, and when he opened his eyes, and glanced about, his lips began to move. Here the Professor held up a warning hand, which he seemed to heed, for he immediately closed his eyes, and was soon asleep, as his breathing became regular, and the pulse began to act normally.
"There must be no more agitation now," said the Professor. "We can take the box to the adjoining room." This was done, and John carefully lifted the skull from its resting place, bringing with it a mass of other material, which looked like brown or discolored parchment.
The skulls were placed side by side. They were singularly alike, the inscription of the one found on the headland, was on the left side, and the like figures of the one taken from the box were on the right side.
"That is a singular thing," said Harry.
"So it is," answered John, "but it doubtless has a meaning," he continued.
Beneath the box, and attached to the wrappings, was a mass of material which John eagerly seized, and began to unwrap, while the Professor interestedly looked on. There was not the first sign of any treasure in the box, and when the several folds of the parchment were unrolled, the boys could see the hieroglyphics that the Professor and John so eagerly scanned.
"Yes, yes, I knew you would come back," said the man in the adjoining room, and John dropped the parchment and followed the Professor into the room,p. 210where they saw the old man sitting on the couch and staring about with an inquiring countenance.
"What is your name?" said the Professor.
He did not answer at first but looked at John and the Professor in amazement.
"Why do you ask?" he then muttered, without changing his countenance. "I have told you over and over," he continued.
"Do you know where you are?" asked John.
"Certainly. You may ask Walter about that."
"Walter? Do you know Walter?" asked George, almost involuntarily.
He smiled and nodded his head. "He is here. I saw him yesterday. I wish he would explain." Then he dropped back on the couch and remained motionless.
The effort to arouse him was useless, and the Professor advised patience. There was something so peculiar about the whole situation that it fascinated the boys. What did this man know about Walter? Possibly, through him the great mystery, that commenced with the note in the seat of their boat, would be explained.
After they came back to the island, Retlaw rapidly recovered, and was frequently found wandering around the town. On several occasions he called on the Professor. To the surprise of all he appeared at this time, surprised to find John and the boys present, and appeared to be terribly startled on seeing the two skulls.
The moment he saw the paralytic, he became agitated, and started for the door. John barred the way, and said: "Do you know that man?"
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In a hesitating voice, he answered: "Yes; I know him well. Where did you find him?" and notwithstanding he saw the quiet figure he drew back with an expression of fear and hesitancy.
George slyly drew forth the Walter note, referred to in the previous volume, "Adventures on Strange Islands," and handed it to John. The latter seized it and said: "Did you ever see this?"
He grasped the paper, and answered: "Where did you get this? Did he have it?"
"No," replied the Professor; "we found it in a recess at the end of a seat in our boat,—the one we made on this island, three years ago."
"I do not know how it could have gotten there. It was written to Clifford,—"
"John B. Clifford?" asked Harry in excitement.
Retlaw turned, when he heard Harry. "Yes," was the hesitating answer.
"Do you know Walter?" asked John.
He did not reply, but glanced at all of them, and while doing so Harry came forward, and said: "Isn't your name Walter?"
The man started back and held up his hand: "What makes you think so?" he asked in alarm.
"BecauseRetlawreversed, spells Walter," answered Harry.
It was time for the Professor to show surprise at the acuteness of Harry's conclusions. John took the cue at once. "Why are you trying to deceive us?"
He dropped his eyes, and was silent, and then he slowly turned to the quiet man.
John noticed the movement. "Who was the manp. 212tied to the vessel and wrecked on the island to the south of us?"
This question by John produced an added agitation in the deportment of the man. He was visibly affected by the question, but there was no reply.
"As you do not feel disposed to answer our questions we must detain or keep you in custody until Clifford recovers," said John, and motioning to the boys, they gathered around him, and called in the attendants and ordered the men to take charge of him.
As they were about to pass out the door, Ephraim ascended the steps and was about to pass into the open door. He caught sight of the curious group, and when his eye alighted on the figure on the couch, he drew back for a moment, while his gaze remained fixed.
Then he calmly moved forward, slowly shaking his head from side to side, and muttered: "That looks like Clifford, my companion on the ship, and the one who aided me to gain a foothold on the spar. How did he come here?"
"That is the man we found at Hutoton," said John. "But do you know this man?" he asked, pointing to Walter.
Ephraim turned, and scrutinized his face. "No, I have never seen him, to my knowledge."
Walter moved back with a sigh of relief, while John and the Professor looked at each other with puzzled expressions.
"Then the man we found tied to the boat was not Clifford!" exclaimed George.
John looked at Walter, and he saw him grow pale.
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"Who was the man," he asked, in a threatening tone, as he approached Walter. The latter hesitated. "We are determined to ferret out this matter, and it will be to your advantage to tell us the whole story, for we shall find it out sooner or later."
"I must have time to think," he answered, as he put his hands to his head, and turned to Clifford.
"You may have until to-morrow, but in the meantime, we shall see to it that you are kept within our sight," responded John, as he motioned to the men to take him away.
As he left the door Harry said: "Why do you suppose he wanted time?"
John looked at Clifford for a moment, and answered: "Evidently, he had hopes that Clifford would not survive."
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Atthe suggestion of the Professor, Clifford was left in quiet, while John and the boys deferred their further attempts to explore the mysterious occurrences that were looming up.
They canvassed every phase of the situation, in the hope that some explanation might be offered. What could have been the relations of Walter and Clifford, and who was the man that met his death in the boat at Venture Island?
Why had the sight of the copper box and the skulls so agitated Walter? The latter, apparently, knew of the missive, which was, evidently, written by him, but why did he not give an outright answer concerning it when John asked him point blank?
It did not take the boys long to inform Sutoto of the development and the mystery concerning the two men. The old Chief, Beralsea, was taken over to see Walter, in order to identify him if possible, and then Harry suggested that Ta Babeda might know something of his early history, as Walter was found a prisoner at his village when John and the boys arrived there.
Beralsea had never seen nor heard of him, and Ta Babeda gave the following account of his capture: "About three years previously several men,p. 215of whom Walter was one, arrived at the island, on a small boat, something like the one carried by thePioneer, and which was used at the landing."
(It should be stated that one of the boats, and probably, the one referred to, was the identical lifeboat, No. 3, which the boys had fitted up for use on thePioneer.)
"This boat was kept by them at the inlet directly east of the cave where the Korinos were lodged. I did not know anything of this for some time, but the Korinos learned of the presence of the men, and my warriors were set to watch the men. A few days afterwards, another boat, much smaller, appeared with two men, but from all appearances they were a different party, and after they had a conference, it appeared as though there was trouble between the different parties."
"We were about to close in on them, when at the height of their quarrel, but they caught sight of us, and joined in resisting the attack against us. With the guns they had we were no match for them, so we had to retire to the village.
"The next morning we learned that they had gone, and on searching the shore found something with marks on, it, that had no meaning to us so it was destroyed."
"Was it something like this?" asked Harry, handing him a sketch.
The Chief studied it for a few moments, and answered: "It seems to me it was like that. The marks were something like these," and he pointed to the crosses.
Harry had made the identical marking which werep. 216on the two skulls, which, it will be remembered, showed the characters + V, and below these three X X X, followed by a star.
"I suspected as much," said John. "They were, quite possibly, on the same quest. But where did they get the information?" And he turned to the Professor for a possible explanation.
The latter was now thoroughly interested. "Unless Walter chooses to tell, the matter may not be solved, unless Clifford recovers, and even though he should regain his physical powers, the mind may have relapsed into its late condition."
By agreement John and the boys remained at the Professor's home that night, awaiting symptoms of the patient's disease, and during the night they recounted over and over again the adventures they had undergone, and the experiences with the natives.
They conversed about the new enterprise into which they were to embark, and the Professor congratulated them on the decision to remain and enter the commercial, or business field. "After all," he said, "there is nothing which so broadens a man as to have an occupation, and give to that business the energies of his mind."
"Of course, there are many things that the natives must learn, but they are so willing to work, that it is a pleasure to show them," said Harry. "The best men we have had in the shops were the common natives, but there is one thing that has always been troublesome, and that is to give them different names."
"That is just what I had in mind for some time," added George. "It didn't make much differencep. 217where there were only a few,—a hundred or so, but now, when we have three hundred or more it is rather confusing to have a dozen or moreLolos, and as many moreWalbes, and names like that."
"It might be a good idea to suggest that each one have a sort of surname, so that there will be no difficulty of that kind hereafter," suggested John.
"A family name would be the proper thing," added the Professor.
"For my part, I don't see how people can get along without it," remarked George.
"But it has not always been the custom to have surnames, or family names," suggested the Professor.
"But the Romans did," exclaimed George.
"Yes, they had three names: the first was the prenomen, which was a distinctive mark of the individual; then the nomen, or the name of the clan; and third, the cognomen, which was the family name. The first name was usually written with a capital letter only, like M. Thus, M. Tullius Cicero."
"Well, that is the first time it ever occurred to me that the Romans parted their names in the middle," said George, as he smiled at the allusion.
"The ancient Greeks, with the exception of a few of the leading families in Athens and Sparta, had only a single name. Among the German and Celtic nations each individual had only one name, and that was also true of the ancient Hebrews; the names Abraham, David, Aaron and the others were used singly, and this was also the case in Egypt, Syria and Persia, and throughout all of Western Asia."
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"But it has never been so in England, has it?" asked Harry.
"During the entire period that England was under the dominion of the Saxons, the single name was prevalent. But that was changed later when feudalism was established and the different lords began to gather their vassals, and to register them."
"But what is the principle on which the names are built?"
"In various ways; at first they distinguished father and son by adding the wordsonto the father's name. If he was of German descentsohnwould be added; if of Danish origin, the wordsen, so that the son's name in either case would be Williamson, or Andersohn, or Thorwaldsen, or a given name with the designationsonadded."
"But how about the many other names, and those coming after the second generation?"
"They had to be named after the locality, like JohnBrook, or DavidHill, or something of that kind, even to an occupation, like theSmiths, or theFishers, as well as qualifications, such asWiseandGoodwere adopted as surnames."
Every hour Clifford's condition was noted, and before morning his pulse began to beat with greater regularity, and all felt that it would be well to take a nap, to prepare for what they knew must be an interesting, if not exciting chapter, to round out their adventures, and to lay bare the few mysteries which yet remained to be solved.
Sutoto came to the Professor's house quite early, with news from Blakely that Walter had disappeared. He had learned of the imprisonment andp. 219that Walter was placed in the regular lock-up, where a few recalcitrants were confined.
How he escaped was not known. True, not much of a guard was maintained, and the natives had no idea that the prisoner was of more than ordinary importance.
John was very much disappointed, but he felt that he alone was to blame, because in the anxiety for Clifford he had entirely overlooked the precaution necessary. He went down to the jail, with the boys, and learned from the inmates that when the man was brought in he appeared to be unconcerned, and immediately selected his sleeping quarters, and that was the last they knew of him.
As the boys were going to their own rooms, a messenger came from the Professor that Clifford was awake, and appeared to be rational, and was now partaking of food. After breakfast they hurried over to the Professor, and found John there smiling.
"I have had a little talk with him."
"What does he say?"
"I have not yet questioned him."
Clifford looked at the boys curiously. "Are you the boys that Mr. Varney spoke about?"
"I suppose we are," said Harry.
"His story interested me very much. I learn that you have a regular manufacturing town here, and that you built all these things without any outside help, before you communicated with the outside world."
"Yes; and we had a glorious time doing it, too, but we owe everything to the Professor and John."
"That is really commendable to hear you say so.p. 220But you said, Mr. Varney, that Walter told you Clifford limped, and it was on account of this peculiarity you were led to believe that the dead man on Venture Island was Clifford?"
"One of the three men with Walter, was lame."
"Then it must have been one of his party that was murdered?"
"But Walter was explicit to tell us that one of your legs was shorter than the other. I early learned that such was not the case, and that is what confused me in identifying you. But there is also another thing which I could not understand."
"What is that?"
"Ephraim Wilmar."
"Stop! stop!" almost shouted Clifford. "You saidEphraim Wilmar. Do you know him?"
"Know him? He is here on the island."
"When did he come? Where is he?"
"He lives on an island north of the place we found you, and is Chief of a tribe there."
"Chief of a tribe!" he exclaimed. "An island to the north,—thetriangle,"—and the boys rose from their seats in the excitement.
"Where is Walter's letter?—Quick," said Harry.
George fumbled in his pockets with eagerness. "Is that the triangle?" eagerly questioned Harry.
"Yes, yes; there it is again. The three islands, and the arrow."
"But what does the star mean,—the star that follows, as you see?"
"That,—that is to show the position of the three islands."
"Position of the three islands? What islands?p. 221and how does it tell the positions?" George was fairly frantic now.
"There must be three islands, and one of them was the one I was on when you found me, and one is here, because Mr. Varney told me about this one, and then there is another, which you said was to the north of,—of—"
"Hutoton," said John.
"Yes; Hutoton. But the positions! Yes; you will understand! One point is the Southern Cross, near the South polar Circle, the second point is the fixed star Antares, and the third is the fixed star Spica, which, together form a perfect triangle, one limb of which passes through a cluster of stars called the Compasses."
"But what has that to do with the locations of the three islands?"
"They are situated, with relation to each other, exactly the same as the three stars are placed in the heavens."
"What was the object of the three crosses before the star?"
"The three represented thirty."
"Thirty what?"
"Leagues."
"And the arrow?"
"The direction from Spica."
"Why from Spica?"
"Because that star is the one which represents the island on which this particular chart happens to be found."
"Do you mean that a similar chart will be found on each island?"
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"No; on only two of them."
The boys were astounded at this information. John and the Professor remained quiet while the boys thus questioned Clifford.
John interrupted to inquire why there were only two charts.
"The record is found on the third."
"So Wonder and Venture Islands are the only ones which have the inscriptions on the skulls?" asked Harry.
Clifford sat up with such a sudden start that the boys were alarmed. He leaned forward, and hurriedly asked the following questions: "You say, 'Inscriptions on the skulls?' How do you know? and why do you say that they are on Wonder and Venture Islands?"
"Because we have two of them."
He dropped back on the pillow, and reflected for some time, and then slowly said: "But there must be three. One of them is still with the records."
"No; we have the one with the records."
A smile illuminated his features, the tension was relaxed, and he dropped back, and pressed his hands over his forehead, as he muttered: "I am so glad, so glad, so glad," and his voice died down, and he remained quiet, as though in sleep.
The questioners sat there in silence, and watched him as he slept. The Professor motioned them to withdraw, and they passed into the adjoining room.
"It is clear to me now," remarked John. "The knowledge of the record was known to others, and I was not aware that any one besides ourselvesp. 223really had figured out the secret," remarked John, as he turned to the Professor.
"Well, I came pretty close to it," exclaimed Harry. "I told you that the three X's meant thirty leagues."
"So you did," said John. "Prior to the finding of the skull I did not know of the full inscription. Its significance did not come to me until we reached Venture Island."
"I remember now! I told George that I saw the chart you had made."
John smiled. "It would have deceived you, however."
"Why?" asked Harry.
"Because, if you remember it the third island was to the south of Venture, and not to the north as we really found it."
p. 224
Itwas late that afternoon when Clifford awoke, and plainly much, refreshed, and improved physically. When he saw the Professor he said: "I have not told you all, but I want the boys here for that purpose, because I know it will interest them."
When the boys arrived they awaited the coming of John, who informed them that Uraso had received word of the capture of Walter, but that he would not arrive until noon.
Clifford greeted them effusively, and it was evident that he had recovered his spirits, and was well on the road to recovery. After some general talk on uninteresting topics, he began his story:
"I was on the vessel with Ephraim when we ran into the monsoon which wrecked the vessel. After days of suffering I became unconscious, and when the spar finally reached the shore, I was aroused sufficiently to save myself, and after wandering around for some time, came up to a tribe of natives, who took good care of me.
"I had no means of determining the latitude or longitude, because I was then only about twenty years of age, and had shipped on the vessel at Shanghai, because I was anxious to return home. I remained with the people about three years, and they were called Osagas."
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"Why, this town is built in the Osagas' territory," said Harry.
"That may be so, but it is enough for the present to know that it was somewhere on this island that I reached the shore, and that about three years thereafter I was fortunate enough to catch sight of a sailing vessel, and on her I reached San Francisco.
"In course of time I built up a profitable shipping business, and owned several vessels engaged in the coast and Alaska trade. Like all shipping men on the western coast, I learned of the many accounts, most of them fables, concerning the treasures on the islands in the South Seas, but they never had any effect on me until about three years ago, I had a hand in furnishing the outfit for a vessel which departed on such a mission, that sailed some time in December or January, of that year."
"Do you know the name of the vessel?" asked John.
"Yes; theJuan Ferde. Why do you ask?"
"I sailed in that vessel with Blakely, one of the owners."
"Blakely? Blakely, did you say? Why he is the man who purchased all the provisions from me."
"He is here on the island, and now has charge of all the business matters connected with our venture."
"Well, that is remarkable, indeed; but I must proceed. Four months after theJuan Ferdesailed, I came into contact with a peculiar character, who had been all over the southern part of the universe, and he finally interested me sufficiently to look over some peculiar documents which he had, bearing on thep. 226subject of the lost treasures, and from the information which he gave, it occurred to me that the location could not be far from the island where I was cast ashore.
"With a good business, and entirely free from all family entanglements, I made up my mind that I would accompany him, and finance the undertaking. What induced me more than anything else, was the fact that the stories he told corresponded so nearly with the information which Blakely gave me, although the latter did not go into many details, that I looked on the venture in the nature of a lark. Besides I wanted to meet my old friends on the island, and possibly induce them to gather the products of the island for me.
"We sailed about five months after theJuan Ferdeleft, and had a quick run to the island where it was supposed I had been left years before. It seems that at the time I landed there the tribe was at war, and we had a terrible time to get away from the people, who, of course, did not remember me, even though the tribe was the same, but of this I had no absolute knowledge at the time.
"Two months after reaching the island, we sailed to the south, in order to explore the second island, noted on the chart, and it was then that the returning monsoon, which usually blows in the opposite direction from the one of six months before, wrecked the vessel, and the next day one of my companions and myself, who were so far as I then knew, the only survivors, reached the southern shore of an island, where we saw high mountains, so unlike those in the island where I was shipwrecked years before."
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"While I think of it," remarked John, "how did you know about the second island, to which you refer?"
"I learned this from Walter."
"Then did you know anything about the skull on the headland, and the note which Walter left?"
"I knew about the skull, but never heard of the note to which you refer. The discovery of the skull was an accident, and I attached no importance to it at the time. From the southern portion of the island we journeyed along the eastern coast, to the north, skirting a large forest on the way."
The boys looked at each other, significantly, but he did not notice this.
"Then we reached a large river, and to our surprise, found a boat, evidently of native manufacture, and with this floated down the stream to the sea."
"But where did you get the rope that we found in the boat?" asked George, eagerly.
He turned, and answered: "How did you know we put any rope on the boat?"
"Because that was the boat we made, and we found it afterwards, with the strange rope and oars."
"Strange oars. I know nothing about them. We used the oars found in the boat."
"Did you get the boat near a large falls?"
"Yes."
"And on the north side of the river?"
"Yes; but after we reached the sea, it was too rough, and the wind was blowing too heavily from the north to make it safe to navigate in that direction, so we went south, probably ten miles, and drewp. 228ashore. The next morning when I awoke the boat and my companion were missing."
"Who was your companion?"
"Walter."
John looked indignant, and expressed his opinion very forcibly, but Clifford held up his hand, restrainingly. "Do not be too harsh. I have no ill will toward him. I did not know what to do, nor which way to turn, but went to the west, and before night, came, unexpectedly, on the remains of a fire, which led me to believe that I would find friends in the inhabitants.
"I went on and on, and caught up with the band, and was then horrified to find that they were having a feast, and sacrificing human beings. I saw Walter among the captives, but I could not contrive to let him know of my presence, and left the place as hurriedly as I could.
"After a month of struggling I reached the southern part of the island, and there, to my joy, found three of my companions on a life boat, belonging to a vessel called theInvestigator, and together we made a course southeast, and there found the location of the second skull."
"But you knew nothing of that at the time, did you?"
"I did not know what the marks on the skull were for, but the finding of the second one was sufficient to revive in me the hope that, after all, the treasure might be found. One of the men, who was the intimate of Walter, figured out the course to be taken, and we reached the island to the north the second day.
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"There, to our surprise, we found Walter, and he charged one of the men with me, with trying to secure the treasure, but I finally patched up the matter, and we agreed to work in concert. Then, when the next day, we found that Walter had lost the chart, we felt that it was a trick on his part to deceive us, and we separated. At that time I did not believe he told us the truth.
"Two days afterwards we passed a party of natives, who were not aware of our presence, and then we saw that Walter, and the man with him, had been captured, and later believed that they had been killed. We searched the island, to find the cave, but were unsuccessful and thinking that an error might have been made, we concluded to sail for the island to the south.
"We found a tribe of natives when we landed, and owing to the exposure and the trials we had gone through I was taken ill, and grew worse and worse, and from that time on to the time I recovered two days ago, I had not the slightest idea of what passed."