The Wonder Island Boys: Conquest of the Savages Part 32

CHAPTER XVIII

BUILDING A SHIP TO TAKE THEM HOME

Great was the surprise of Oroto to find that Marmo, chief of the Tuolos, and Tastoa, chief of the Kurabus, were in the town. Greater still was the marvel to know that they were entirely free to go and come, and when Uraso announced to him that there were no restrictions on his liberty, he wondered why he had been brought from his village.

This proceeding was most unusual. During the preceding day, when they marched into the town, he had been kept in one of the buildings under guard, and had not seen the Professor, as the latter first desired to confer with John, and learn all about the facts about the chief and his actions.

Oroto was most anxious to see the Great White Chief, and when Uraso announced to him that he was prepared to receive him, he was eager to go. John thought it would be much better for them to meet alone, because it was desired to avoid all cause for jealousy among the different chiefs, and it would, probably, be disagreeable to have them present.

All must be present, or none.

Uraso conducted him to the door of the Professor's apartment, and left him. As he entered, the Professor came forward, and grasped his hand, and put his arm around him, and in that manner conducted him to a seat.

The chief looked at him, and saw the strong, handsome face and the white beard and hair. He appeared to be awed by the sight, as he was affected by the kind reception. He was far from a.s.suming the defiant att.i.tude with which he met John.

"I welcome you," said the Professor. "I know we can be friends."

The chief was overcome by the greeting words. It was plain that he had prepared for an entirely different kind of meeting. He did not answer, but sat there with eyes riveted on the Professor, and the latter continued:

"I hope my warriors have treated you right, and that they have not injured any of your people."

When Oroto had recovered from his surprise he responded:

"Why do you call me your friend?"

The Professor smiled, and he answered: "Are you my enemy?"

This was a question which was unexpected. What manner of man was this?

The Professor saw the struggle in the chief's mind, as he tried to frame a reply.

"I was your enemy; but I do not see why I should be. I was told that you were a terrible chief."

"Who told you so?"

"The wise men."

"Do you believe them?"

"No; I shall kill them, because they have lied to me and my people."

"Why do you wish to kill them? Will that do you or your people any good?"

"Then what can I do with people who deceive us?"

"Teach them to understand and know that it is better to tell the truth than to lie. When you do that you are also teaching the people what is right. If you kill them you are teaching people revenge, and revenge will not help them."

"You are telling me something new and strange. My people would not understand that. They would think I feared to punish."

"The white man does not think so. He believes that each man is ent.i.tled to his life. If he does wrong, he may be deprived of his liberty, and made to labor for others, and pleasures kept from him, but that his life should not be taken from him, unless he has committed the greatest crime against the people."

"What is the greatest crime?"

"The killing of another."

"I am in your power. What do you want me to do? What will you do with me? I did not know you taught such things."

"You are in my village; but you are free to go where you will. My chief did not bring you here to humiliate you, or to punish you. I told him to bring you here so you might know how the white men live, and how they try to make the people happy. You can see these things for yourself.

Then you can understand."

"I am told that you have people here from all the tribes, and that they live together in peace and in contentment."

"Yes; and why not? Because one man was born and lives in one place, is that any reason why he should be the enemy of one who lives somewhere else?"

"But how can we prevent them from fighting each other?"

"Let all the chiefs agree to do what is right to each other, and to their people; and treat each man the same, whether he belongs to your tribe or to some other. Do not seek revenge, but justice."

"I shall forever be the White Chief's friend."

"But you must be not only my friend, but the friend of all the chiefs.

They have agreed to live together in peace. We will find work for all your people to do, so they can become happy and strong, and I want you to go with me to see the things we are doing to help the people. Before we do so you must talk to the chiefs who have been here and who know what we are trying to bring about."

Oroto sought out Marmo at once. He was the nearest in kin to the Illyas, and the Professor noted this action on his part with the greatest satisfaction. Soon Tastoa, of the Kurabus, was brought in, and no restraint was placed on any of these conferences.

When all the whites met that night you may be sure that there was a jollification that knew no bounds. What a wonderful thing had been accomplished. All grasped the Professor's hand, and many tears were shed in the joy of the meeting. Six boys and three men had been rescued from the jaws of death by the Professor and the two boys.

In less than two years they had transformed an island of savage races into some semblance of orderly life, and inspired the people with a new impulse. It was the first time the chiefs of the island had ever met together. Within a week all were on friendly terms with each other.

At the conference that evening the Professor remarked: "We have now put in nearly two years of hard work, and accomplished the most wonderful results. The boys want to go home, and it is right that they should.

Owing to the peculiar conditions existing here, we have not been in a position where we could take any organized steps to go home. As long as any of our friends were in captivity it was our duty to remain."

"The situation is different now. We have really started a little empire here. This is the 'Empire' that Harry spoke about when we landed here.

He little knew how prophetic that was. We now have the men, the material, the energy, and the ingenuity to make anything that is made anywhere in the world."

"We must build a ship--"

But the Professor could go no further. The boys were wild with excitement at the news, as they gathered about him.

"But I am coming back again," cried one after the other.

"But I am not going away," added the Professor, "because I am afraid I should never be able to come back again."

There was a tone of sadness as he said this, and it touched all the boys. It was hard to tell whether this was an occasion for joy or sorrow.

All knew what the Professor and John and Blakely felt, and that it would become their great field for future work.

Here was also a field for the energies of the boys, whose abilities could be directed into useful channels. Commercially the island was of immense value, if properly used. So long as John and the Professor were there no wrong speculative efforts would dare to be attempted by unscrupulous adventurers.

John, together with Harry, Tom and Jim, who were the engineering force of the island, soon began the work of preparing the material for the ship which would place them in communication with the great world.