The Wonder Island Boys: Conquest of the Savages Part 26

He was placed before John. "Why did you lie to the chief?"

The savage was mute. He cast an appealing glance at his chief, but the latter did not notice him.

Addressing Uraso, John said: "Take this man out and beat him. He must be punished for lying."

George called in several of the warriors, who were instructed to carry out the decree. In the meantime Uraso called John aside, and stated that the poor fellow had undoubtedly told the truth, but the chief had lied.

"I suspected that," answered John. "I do not want the man beaten, so that you may go and stop the execution of it, but do not let the chief know that the order was not carried out."

"Did you get a second message from me yesterday through one of your own warriors?"

"Yes."

"What did he tell you?"

"He said that you had declared war against me and my people and would kill all of us and take our women and children into captivity."

"Did he not tell you that we came to make terms of friendship, and that all we wanted was the captives which you wrongfully held?"

"No."

"Bring in that warrior."

Uraso went out with one of the sub-chiefs, and when he appeared addressed him sharply:

"Why did you lie to your chief, and not tell him what I told you? Answer me."

The chief merely glanced at the wretch, and the latter bowed his head.

The question was repeated, and he was told that he would be protected against the fury of his chief if he would tell the truth. As he was about to reply the chief merely glanced at him, and his lips were sealed.

"Take him out and beat him as severely as you have beaten the other.

These people must be taught to learn that they should not lie."

Uraso understood John's look, and acted accordingly. He was taken out, but was not beaten.

Turning to the chief, and acting on the information imparted by Uraso, he startled Oroto by the following question:

"Why did you lie to me and allow your warriors to be beaten?"

The question stunned him for a moment. John did not permit him time to frame an excuse.

"You lied to me when you stated that they had told you the things you said, and I know it. You are deserving of the same punishment as those who were wrongfully beaten. Take him out and see that he is punished as he deserves."

This judgment against the august one was like a death pall on the ears of the sub-chiefs. The chief trembled; his footsteps, theretofore so supple, were trembling, and he held out his hands for support.

The enormity of this punishment to a chief by whipping is the most disgraceful thing that can happen. The person of a chief must not be defiled by a rod, which is intended only for children and for offenses committed by the unruly members of a tribe.

The procession filed out, and John hurriedly called Uraso and Muro to his side, explaining in a whisper that they should intercede to prevent the punishment.

The excitement of the surrounded warriors was intense, as the word was circulated that their great chief had judgment p.r.o.nounced against him, and was to be publicly whipped.

As they were proceeding across the open s.p.a.ce, Uraso and Muro, in well simulated tones, begged that John should forego the punishment, but he refused to comply until they had reached the place selected.

John advanced to him and said: "Your friends, Muro and Saboro, have begged me not to inflict the punishment for lying; I have decided not to do so at this time, as I am guided by their judgment, and I know they are wise. Instead, you and your chiefs must come with me and see the Great White Chief, and he may order that you shall not be punished."

This statement that he was not the Great White Chief was another piece of news that he could not understand.

"And now, I want to know where you have the captives?"

He hesitated. He looked at Muro and Uraso in a different manner this time. Uraso quietly spoke to him: "You cannot escape the vigilance of the white man. The wonderful fire guns can kill all of your people. You do not know what you are doing in trying to resist him. If you do not tell him he will find them, and then I cannot plead for you."

The chief, turning to one of the sub-chiefs, said: "Sama will take you to them."

The boys jumped as they learned the import of these words. They looked at John. The latter turned to the chief and said:

"How far are they from this place?"

The distance was indicated by signs, which Uraso interpreted to mean two hours.

"Bring in the wagons at once, and unload one of them; then take the other, with twenty-five men well armed, and carry Sama with you. The poor fellows are not, probably, in a condition to walk." Then, again turning to the chief, he asked: "How many prisoners have you?"

He held up his hand with fingers outstretched, indicating five. There was no delay in preparing the wagon, and Jack and Jill, the two old trustworthies, were hustled along, to show the path of freedom to some of the boys' former companions and a.s.sociates.

John's last injunction was: "Be sure and take plenty of food along." The order was unnecessary. The boys had thought of this, and the wagon, held precious little but articles of comfort for the unfortunates.

Sama directed the wagon to the north, and Muro's son Lolo accompanied them on the journey.

"Do you know," said Harry, "we are going straight toward the Cataract?"

"I had quite forgotten that," answered George. "How I would like to go back again to the dear old place!"

"I have just been thinking, what a wonderful life we have had since we landed here. We had nothing when we came, and now we have everything!"

"Yes," answered George; and he stopped, while his eyes took on a blurry feeling, and the lashes began to blink at an alarming rate. "All but home!"

Harry looked at George. There was an inflection, which he caught.

"Of course; I mean that, too. But we haven't lost them. When this business here is settled we are to go to work on the big vessel. When I think of that it eases my mind."

"That is the great comfort to me, too. It makes me happy when I think of the joy we are bringing to the people here. I really love every foot of this island. It has been a wonderful experience to us."

"And," responded Harry, "to think that we have aided in restoring so many to freedom; John and Blakely, and the four boys, and--I wonder who the ones are that we are going after now?"

"That is what I have been thinking about all along. But did you ever see such bricks as Uraso and Muro?"

Lolo had learned many things in the short ten days that he had been with them. The boys had attained a remarkable knowledge of the language, and Lolo was a constant instructor for them. He was so simple and unaffected in his ways that they grew to love him.

Within two hours the location of the village was sighted. It was distinctly noticed among the trees, perched on a hillside, and the excitement of the boys was intense. Stut was in charge of the warriors.