The Wonder Island Boys: Treasures of the Islands Part 10

[Ill.u.s.tration: _Fig. 6. Arialad Fruit. Sarsaparilla._]

Unlike the natives of Wonder Island, they had potatoes, the wild variety which the boys found the second day after they were cast ash.o.r.e. The Taro root, that vegetable which grows in the greatest abundance in every section south of the Equator, to the lower border of the south temperate zone, was the chief dish, and was also roasted in like manner.

What surprised them most was a drink that pleased John, who at once recognized its origin. They called it Arialad, and George declared it was a fine quality of Sarsaparilla.

"You are correct," said John. "Its real botanical name is Arialace. It belongs to the same family as spikenard and ginseng. Very few natives know of its value. It is both a medicine and a refreshing drink."

"If it grows in abundance here it would be a good thing to gather for export," observed Harry.

"A boat load of the roots would be worth a fortune," rejoined John.

There was the utmost good fellowship among all present. In accordance with the custom among most of these people the women did not partake of the food in the presence of the men. They acted as the servants in serving the food, but the men prepared the meal, a sort of well-balanced family arrangement, as George observed.

"But who washes the dishes?" asked Harry with a laugh, in which all joined.

CHAPTER VI

THE SAVAGE CEREMONIALS

The next day was the one appointed for the ceremonies. The boys were expectant, because during all their experiences in the islands, this was the first time they had an opportunity to witness one of these spectacles.

It was noticed that no preparations were made for a morning meal by the natives. All were specially garbed for the occasion, if the colored decorations counted for anything in the way of additional clothing.

They were adept in the art of weaving cloth, which was made in small sections, and sewn together, similar to the practice in most of these primitive countries. They were not altogether devoid of knowledge pertaining to dyes, the most frequent being blue, which John soon ascertained came from some copper deposits.

The Madder plant was the most common on the island, and this afforded a red color, the most lasting of all dyes, and the most generally in use throughout the civilized world, until the aniline dyes took its place.

For black they resorted to the common method of using carbon which is the stock material in our own country. This was produced by them from burnt wood, and not from any of the coal products.

Their faces were painted a hideous red and blue, princ.i.p.ally in the nature of great zig-zag stripes, and the exposed parts, of the bodies were of diverse figures, some of them really artistic. The preparation of these personal decorations consumed the greater portion of the night, as the boys afterwards learned.

When they emerged from their hut in the morning, and saw the grotesque figures all about the village, they could hardly repress a smile; but as every one was smiling and happy, they did not have to make any pretentions, but smiled and laughed as the men and women circled about, because they couldn't help themselves.

The women were not so gaudily attired as the men. Their decorations were expended on clothing, as it was not considered good form to decorate their bodies.

All the men carried spears, and many of them were wicked-looking instruments. What surprised them was the fact that all the spear-points were now covered over, or bound up by colored material, forming a sort of sphere, to which three colored streamers were attached, one white, one red and the other blue.

"My, but they are patriotic!" remarked George, as he saw the design and the streamers.

John smiled, as he observed them. "But do you notice that the point of the spear is covered?"

"I was about to ask the meaning of that," said Harry.

"This is the day of feasting and of sacrifices. The covered point indicates that there is peace; and that no one can commit an injury. I imagine the points will be uncovered quickly enough the moment they are ready for the sacrifices."

"I am more interested in the fact that they use the American colors. I wish we had one of the flags here. That idea has just struck me as being the proper thing." And George danced about at the scheme.

Harry was just as much affected now. "Why not consult Uraso and Muro, and bring over the big flag from the ship?"

John laughed at the idea. "A brilliant idea. The flag will be a big attraction, but I warn you that if you get it I shall have to insist that you must head the procession with it."

"Are we going to have a procession?"

"I believe that is the first thing on the list."

"But where is the procession going? Is it the custom to march along the princ.i.p.al streets and out along the boulevards?"

This idea was so laughable to Harry and Uraso and Muro, that they had a fit of laughter. The two Chiefs were just like boys, and entered in to the spirit of the undertaking with a vim that pleased the boys.

They fairly flew to the landing, and manned the boat. "We have come for the flag," announced George, as Stut was looking on the excitable boys.

"Why not take both of them?" responded Stut.

"Certainly," answered Harry. "I had forgotten about the other. And while we are about it, why not have the band come along?"

This was answered by a shout. One of the new acquirements of the natives of Wonder Island, was music, and when the boys returned from the States they brought along several fine sets of band instruments, one set of which was always on the vessel, and was used for evening concerts.

"Where is Mano?" asked Harry.

Mano was the leader of the ship's band, but he was not to be found.

"John sent for Mano an hour ago, and he is now in the village."

"Then send for him at once. Tell him he must be here as soon as John is through with him," said George.

While the flags were being wrapped up one of the small boats came from the sh.o.r.e, and Mano stepped out.

Harry ran up and said: "Get the boys and the instruments ready. You must play for us to-day during the ceremonies."

Mano smiled as he answered: "John told me about it last night, and I went over merely to find out what music I should take."

"So John tried to steal a march on us?" remarked Harry. "How soon will you be ready?"

"We are all ready now. I was told at the Chief's house that the procession would start in a half hour."

When the flags were brought out it was Mano's time to stare. "I think,"

he said, "that will surprise John, but the idea is a proper one."

The band comprised nine musicians and the two drummers. The moment they landed the band formed four abreast, and directly behind were the two boys with the Stars and Stripes. To the tune of "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean," they marched straight to the home of the Chief.

The crashing music, and the magnificent flags brought pandemonium to that savage village. Nothing like it had ever been known before. Long before the band reached the Palace all the inhabitants of the town had rushed down, and at Uraso's and Muro's suggestion the people followed behind, and thus made a procession which was the most unique that it was possible to describe.

"That scheme will make a success of the ceremonies," remarked George, almost too full for utterance. "Why the thing wouldn't be a success without the flags and the music."