"Do you think this man had anything to do with it?" asked George.
"So far, I have no direct reason for thinking so, but there are several very curious things about the story."
"What in particular do you have in mind?"
"He said the boat was found on the seash.o.r.e, and that Walter left without taking it with him, but that when he recovered the boat was gone."
"Is it an unreasonable story?"
"That is not at all improbable. The tide might have washed it away, but, if it was our boat, and it was provided with the peculiar rope and the strange oars, that were found in it when it was recovered by you, it would be interesting to know whether he or Walter put them there."
"Why is that so interesting to know?"
"Because the rope found in that boat, is the same as the rope we took from Clifford"s body, which you discovered on Venture Island."
"If we could only find Walter now it would solve that mystery," said Harry. "I don"t like to think that this man was instrumental in the Clifford tragedy."
"Nor do I," responded John. "It is evident there is some connection between that boat and the skeleton, and that our boat played a part in it." This ended the conversation on this point.
It will be remembered that two of the men rescued from the prison stockade, were natives of another tribe, who had been captured some weeks before. Upon inquiry John found that they had disappeared the day before.
The two others, in a very emaciated condition, were still under John"s care, and rapidly improving. No attempts had been made to question them, and as it was the intention of the boys to commence the trip to the north, as soon as John had settled the matter with the Korinos, they were anxious to get some information from them concerning their tribe.
Accompanying Uraso, and through him, they first learned that the people they were now living with were called Malosos, and that the Chief was named Ta Babeda, which meant the _strong man_. He was not so large as Beralsea, the Chief of Venture Island, but his muscles were more active, thus the boys could see that he rightly acquired the sceptre of chief ruler, as did Beralsea, because of the strength he possessed, and there was no one on the island to question his king-ship.
While rambling about the boys and Uraso were informed that John wished to see them at the Chief"s house, and they went over without delay.
Entering the house, they were surprised to see that the different packages containing the presents had been opened, and were about to be distributed.
The Chief and his household were first provided for. The articles consisted of coats, and different articles of wear for the Chief, together with a watch, a revolver, and a camera.
"This will give both of you boys an opportunity to give the Chief some lessons in these instruments," said John.
The articles for the women were received with screams of delight that pleased the Chief beyond measure. Bits of lace, the like of which had never been seen on the island, cotton fabric, beads, articles of ornamentation, and finally full-fledged dresses, were only parts of the gifts which went to the women and children.
"With your permission," said John, to the Chief, "I will offer gifts to your people, and you may state that during the afternoon the articles will be arranged in packages so that all will receive presents of like value."
The boys, as well as Uraso and Muro, were busy making up the gifts for distribution. During the remaining portion of the day they were busily engaged in this work, which brought the greatest joy and happiness to the natives.
It may well be imagined that Uraso and Muro were not slow in imparting the news of Wonder Island to the natives. John had a long conference with the Chief on the same subject.
"But how can we get these articles?" he asked, as John told him how they made the wonderful things.
"You can make them here," he answered.
"But we cannot make them if we do not have the tools."
"Then you can buy them," responded John.
"But what have we that you want?" he asked, as he eagerly scanned John"s face.
"Your land is full of things that the people in Wonder Island want, and the whole world will buy them of you."
"Will you tell me what they want and how we shall get them ready for you?"
"It will give us pleasure to send our people over who can tell you what spices, and nuts, and coffee, and other things which you have in abundance, can be prepared, and what they are worth, and it will be the means of giving the people work, and peace and contentment."
"But if we do not have any more fighting with our enemy there will be no need of a strong Chief," he remarked, thinking of his new relation to the scheme as outlined.
"There will be a much greater need of a strong man like you, who can mete out equal justice to the people," remarked John.
CHAPTER IX
THE REMARKABLE CAVE EXPLORATIONS
But the time was now at hand, when it became necessary for the exploring expedition to the north. The rescued prisoners stated that their people, while not so numerous, were very warlike, and by degrees, John learned that they were the cannibals of whom they had heard.
The tribe was known as the Umbolos, and the Chief was a frightful man, unlike any other in the tribe, or, at any rate, from the description, he was not formed like them. He was known as Rumisses, which in their tongue meant _thunder_.
It was remarkable that Uraso and Muro understood most of the words of the language used by the natives here and also on Venture Island. On Wonder Island, there were only two tongues, or dialects, and the people on this island, as well as on Venture Island, spoke the dialect belonging to the Illyas, Kurabus and the Tuolos, the tribes that were the fiercest and the most difficult to subdue.
It was hoped that the escape of the two Umbolos, and the return to their people would be sufficient to give them the entree to that part of the country, but after the questionings of John on this point, it was very doubtful whether this would impress itself on their minds.
The natives had been accustomed for so long a period to regard every other people as an enemy, and consequently absolutely removed from any possibility of friendship, that it was questionable whether the messengers could persuade the Chief to receive them.
Arrangements for the departure were decided upon, and they planned to start early in the morning. John visited the Chief, and suggested that he should consider it a favor if the Chief would permit him to take the Korinos with him.
The Chief opened his eyes in astonishment. "Why do you wish to be burdened with men who will live by deceiving?" he inquired.
"But they have lived to the best of their knowledge. They do not know any better. They believe what they have been taught, and think it is a duty to carry out and practice their rites. They do not wish to deceive you."
The Chief pondered for a long time, and then replied: "What will you do with them?"
"I want to teach them the white man"s ways, and tell them to come back and teach your children the things which we believe are right and for the good of the people."
The lessons which John imparted were sources of wonder and amazement to the ruler, who, five days before, thought he was the only one appointed to make and to execute laws.
When he finally gave his consent, he said: "You must take it upon yourself to get the Korinos, because they will not come out of their caves."
"But how can they find food there? If you prevent them from getting food they will be compelled to come out or starve."
"They will starve before they will permit themselves to be taken."
"Then," answered John, "why do you not order your warriors to enter the cave and take them by force?"